Two things
first of an in most places an internship can be what you make it. As she was cleaing out last years styles ( OH the Humanity) she could have tried to learn how trends develop and you could have asked what was successful in last year’s line and what was not and why
as she is giving coffee out she could pick the brains of all those who take coffee
she could ask to sit quietly in on planning projection and trend meetings
Instead she thought she would instantly be a fashionista.
secondly did you read the requirements the Labor Dept sets up for an unpaid intern? that they be under close supervision of someone and that they not do anything that a paid employee should do.
WTF?
Whe would any company pay one of theor employees to babysite/ ‘superivise” an unpaid person? That is a waste of money
In theory, for two reasons. One, to take a closer look at a novice who might be a god fit for the company later on in a paid position.
And two, as a service (good deed, if you will) to the profession.
And the second reason is quite important. I spent a good number of years as an urban school teacher. Most of us took student teachers for that second reason.
-—as she is giving coffee out she could pick the brains of all those who take coffee
she could ask to sit quietly in on planning projection and trend meetings——
I graduated from engineering school in 1984, but wanted to go into graphic design. My first job was with a graphics supply company which sold giant stat cameras.
I quickly learned more about the cameras than the lazy salesmen. When the salesmen screwed up an installation, I would often get sent out to clean up the mess.
I brought along my portfolio of dummy ads, and after putting out the fire, asked the owner to take a look at my portfolio. I was hired 6 months later by a guy who was impressed by the neatness of my portfolio.
I have since won international graphic design awards.
I have spent the last few years starting up a side apparel business, simply by reinvesting meager initial profits. The industry is brutal. Margins are slim. But it is possible to succeed.
She should be delighted with her crappy internship. All you need is a foot in the door.