Internships are undeniably the best choice to gain professional experience in fashion, nonetheless, the reality of being an intern is also hard outside of the office. Depending on where you are living interning can mean being paid from nothing to little money. If you are lucky enough to have your parents support you that’s amazing, but if you don’t, things can get pretty difficult. I belong to the latter case, so I know a thing or two about living counting every little penny each month.
During my internship I was paid 600€ gross, but because I wasn’t a student anymore I was taxed and my salary turned out to be 500€. The room I rented was 420€ which left me with 80€ a month to live. And guess what? I managed to make ends meet! Though I don’t recommend to anyone doing what I did because it’s pretty reckless. I started working at 18 to pay for my uni tuition and flat which taught me the value of money. But I never lived on 80€ a month.
If you are in a similar situation, panicking won’t help. Instead flip things positively. You have a roof over your head and that’s the most important thing. Now, to maximise on that place, on top of having all costs included in the rent, make sure it’s of reachable distance by foot from your office to avoid paying transport. Walking 20-30 mins each morning and evening will do wonders for your health and mind. Biking is another option. No need to buy a new bike, just look for particulars selling theirs. And if the office is on the outskirts of the city maybe ask around for carpooling. Some companies, especially startups offer a space for their employees to post personal ads, look at them you could find that a cheap room to rent, a bike or even someone looking for carpooling.
For food, I have one word. Lidl. Even though it’s cheap, you should still pay attention to what you put in your basket. To avoid buying too much, make a list of what you’ll eat in the week. That way you’ll do your groceries in a much-organised way without spending money unnecessarily. The Internet is great for finding information, so you’ll probably have some sites providing you with delicious recipes that don’t cost much. Few of us do it, but getting up early on weekends to go to the market is the best to find fresh products at a good price. Last thing, when buying things like toothpaste, body cream or body wash, prefer the bigger formats because they last longer.
Interning in fashion means you should have a nice wardrobe. If hard work gets you a long way, being well dressed will help you get noticed. Your outfits will serve as your business card. Investing in expensive clothes is a no-go when interning but it shouldn’t prevent you from being stylish. Some ways to do it could be paying attention to your accessories. Earrings, socks, a scarf, a belt or a necklace can totally transform a look. Flea markets, outlets and your mom’s wardrobe are places to explore. This said because you’re on a budget when you go always shop with an aim. Buy something that is versatile and won’t go out of fashion.
Making ends meet while interning is difficult so we hope this post will be of some help to you. Some of the tips seem logical but when you’re used to living with your parents’ help, being on a minimum spend is a learning process. It’s hard but once you’ll come through it and have your full-time, you’ll look at this time with pride. It means you have an amazing will to accomplish your dream and therefore an amazing will to go further that dream.
How do you survive as an intern in fashion? Let us know in the comments below.
