Witchery Knit Tank Top. Zara skort. Tony Bianco Boots. Longchamp Bag.
Competence would have to be the number one
skill any intern needs, especially a fashion intern. Running errands all day, whilst it may seem
like an ‘easy’ or ‘low skilled’ task, (at least those are the preconceptions I
had) is actually a tiring and strategy heavy job. The number one rule for any errand runner, as
I understand it, is to DO EXACTLY AS YOUR BOSS OR SUPERVISOR REQUESTS. As in, follow their instructions like you
would during airport security.
I learnt this lesson the hard way, and as
such experienced my most stressful day on the job.
Being asked to go and set up a new
blackberry for my boss, whilst on the surface appears a simple task, soon turned out to be the most difficult of them all.
“Make sure everything that is on this phone
get’s put onto the new one.” “Should you back up your phone beforehand just in
case something goes wrong?”…. “No need, you’ll make sure the sales person
understands how important this is right?”…..ummmm okay? And that was how my
instructions were given. Very direct, but nonetheless impossible to ensure.
Four hours later I emerged from AT&T
with a new blackberry that did not carry my bosses updated calendar, entire
contacts list or email accounts, in fact the only thing in common with her old
phone were the pictures we spent three of those hours transferring over. Terrified
about what my boss’s response would be I returned to her office with the less
than pleasing news.
“If my emails are not on the phone go and
get my old phone back, I can’t function without it for another hour.”
There was one problem though; I had given
the phone company the old phone, which was being wiped for a ‘trade and save’
deal I had agreed too. Back to AT&T I went, and two hours later I returned
with a somber mood, a free leather case (due to the tantrum I threw in the
store) and one of the three-email
accounts set up. Still not as my boss
had requested but I was saved by the bell as the store was closing and I had
reached breaking point.
In the end it was a job for another day. But
as I mentioned earlier it was the first time I had learnt the importance of
getting things right the first time not the second, third or in this case
fourth…
Sorry about the less than glamorous insight
into the life of a fashion intern, but it was something I felt I needed to share
as I’m sure there are others who feel the same frustration!! Interns everywhere,
I feel for you!
Love Bella
xoxo
