Persistence is key to landing any dream internship. You have to show you want the job and are more eager than anything or else why would they give you the position? Also, never give up. As cliche as it sounds, you’re going to be turned down over and over again but if you let that stop you, you’ll never get anywhere. – Nicole Freedland
Although originally from Florida, Nicole Freedland has always been drawn to the bright lights and bustle of New York City. Nicole is currently pursuing a degree in advertising and public relations hoping to make it big in the only industry she can see herself working everyday: fashion. Finding fashion internships outside of the major fashion hubs like New York City and Los Angeles can be hard but with dedication, Nicole ended up getting a custom internship with the PR and Special Events Department at Bloomingdale’s in Orlando. Her experience shows that even with limited opportunities, a little dedication and persistence can yield big rewards.
I grew up in Fort Lauderdale, Florida but I feel like I was meant to grow up in New York City. I’ve come to realize that fashion is the only thing I can picture doing every single day for the rest of my life. I currently got to school at the University of Central Florida in Orlando, Florida. I’m majoring in advertising and public relations so naturally I’ve tried to intern with places that are fashion related but in Orlando that can be hard. I received a great internship with College Fashionista that allowed me to gain more internship experience while incorporating my love of fashion. I have also had other great intern opportunities being a PR intern with MMGY Global, a global travel PR firm, an advertising firm with the Orlando Business Journal and an investor relations/special events intern with the Metro Orlando Economic Development Commission.
Fashion is truly the only passion I have ever had. When I went to college, I knew no matter what major I picked it had to be something I could incorporate and use in the fashion industry so PR was my natural choice. Working in the fashion PR industry gives every fashion-obsessed girl the chance to speak on behalf of their favorite brands and speak through the designers. You get the opportunity to create and change the perceptions of how readers view these fashion brands, so I honestly couldn’t think of anything better.
I landed my position with being persistent. When I look for an internship I look for a place I would want to get a job with and a place that I won’t dread working at for free. My mission has always been to work special events and do PR and my favorite store is Bloomingdale’s so combining the two was really my dream internship. On the Bloomingdale’s website, it only shows a place for internships in New York because that’s the only place it actually has an internship program, but I didn’t let that stop me. I searched and called and basically stalked the Bloomingdale’s in Orlando until I finally found the name of the lady in charge of PR at the Orlando location. After that I Googled her name, found her on LinkedIn, added her to my network and found her email address. From November-February I emailed her my resume and cover letter several times and with Spring semester starting in January, I assumed they weren’t going to hire me as an intern so I took two other internships. The first week of February I received a call thanking me for being so persistent and showing how much I wanted the position and they offered me the internship and created an internship program just for me. Note, that at this point I was already a month into the semester with 5 classes and 2 other internships but it’s Bloomingdale’s… You CAN NOT say no to Bloomingdales. So, as I said before, persistence is key to landing any dream internship. You have to show you want the job and are more eager than anything or else why would they give you the position? Also, never give up. As cliche as it sounds, you’re going to be turned down over and over again but if you let that stop you, you’ll never get anywhere.
My responsibilities include coming up with ideas for special events, speaking with vendors, uploading the monthly events calendars onto the Bloomingdale’s website, making sure the events run smoothly and everyone is happy during the events, running errands, writing press releases and pitches to send to selected media and my favorite responsibility for far has been styling the in-store fashion shows we had during HOT!
What surprised me was how much I love everything. No matter what my tasks are, I’m so happy to be a part of Bloomingdale’s that it just feels like I am having fun all the time. I really feel honored that they created an internship position just to have me. Also, everyone I have met at Bloomingdale’s has been absolutely amazing. The lady I work under is absolutely incredible. She’s an amazing boss that I’ve learned so much from. She is so hard working, outgoing and fashionable that she really is the definition of fashion PR, not to mention a great role model. I’m shocked that this is the first time in my life that I truly enjoy going to my internship every single day… I offer to come in every single day and they think I am crazy but I seriously love it that much.
All of HOT! was an incredible experience. It was March 8-18 when Bloomingdale’s launched their new LoyaLIST program. This is where Bloomingdale’s Insiders became Bloomingdale’s LoyaLISTS . Basically, it was 10 days filled with amazing events from fashion shows/presentations to art galleries set up around the store to cocktails and candy bars. Overall it was just an amazing 10 days that I am so thankful I was able to be a part of.
My dream fashion PR job would be getting hired to be the PR girl for a major fashion line such as Chanel, Gucci, Prada, Versace, Armani or maybe even becoming the next OscarPRGirl! Honestly, just getting to be a part of the industry is my dream and no matter where I’ll start, I’ll work my way all the way up to the top from there. Also, being the next Kelly Cutrone would also be awesome. She’s pure genius and an excellent business woman; she knows what she wants, where so wants to go and does whatever she needs to get there.
Interested in being featured? Submit your information for consideration.
