Monday, July 18, 2011
Writing on the train, part 2 7/15
The second in a series of train writing posts from Friday:
Trying to let off some steam from the commute, ticket, and heat issues to remind myself I am so excited to be heading back home to see long-time family friends who are practically family, I will write a post and reflect on what a roller coaster of a week this was.
The week started off a little sad. I have been lucky enough to spend every weekend so far with my family, but every time I head back to the city of brotherly love I get wearier. I am very fortunate to have a family who really loves me and I love them. I never take for granted how lucky I am that we do anything, everything and beyond for each other, even if that anything is company on a trip to Target or watching Gilmore Girls together. Every moment counts when I am with them, and when I am with them I want to do as much “Sven stuff” as possible. Arriving back to the beautiful guest house, complete with air conditioning, microwave, stove, washer, drier, and usually functioning internet, after dark is, to put it simply, lonesome.
I had a very nice dinner with the Patterson family again on Monday evening. Their kindness, hospitality, and family energy is always comforting to be around. At the end of last week and the beginning of this week, I researched what was successful in the Edinburgh store. This is an endeavor none of the members of UK team had ever worked on, so I felt a little ownership over the project, which has been absent from my other projects.
On Tuesday, I looked at the September Journal to see what the UK had bought compared to what was in the catalogue. First I went through with accessories, then apparel.
The build up of the beginning of the week was for a dinner/drinks outing with the team. The event was for Jourdan, who is leaving, and I was invited to it!! The team had previously gone to dinner when the European version of Wendy, Gisella, was here the second week I was here. I was not invited. But I was considered one of the guys! Although maybe a little less so when they found out I was under 21. This was to be the make up for the birthday fiasco. I was so excited for this, to finally show them who I was outside of being an obedient and hardworking intern that I had built it up too much. I put a lot of pressure on myself for the dinner to be great and for me to become friendlier. My dreams did not come true. I ended up driving Ellen to the diner/bar, Silk City, which was nice, and she was a personable GPS. We made it perfectly, and even found a nearby gas station. 45 seconds after I sat down at the table with all of them, I realized I could not compete with their jokes and age. They talked about things that are a few years beyond mine, like salary, buying houses, neighborhoods, committed relationships, work, office gossip, and general life experiences I haven’t had yet or that I was too young at the time to remember (like cartoon tv shows and the like). So, I ended up being an observer, which I enjoyed because I got to see them outside of work (which isn’t too different from in work because they know how to make work fun), but I think they solidified in their minds that I am a quiet, hardworking, shy person. I am labeled.
So that partially disappointing experience, mixed with missing my family and my friends, having no intern friends here, and not knowing at all how I am doing at work, I completely broke down in the car on the way home. So much so my eyes were puffy the rest of Wednesday. A big portion of my frustration was that I had no idea how I was doing at work. Am I a good intern? Proactive? Just does what I am given? Innovative? Impulsive? Persistent? Not a pestering gnat? A comment Jen had made to me in my interview has really stuck with me, which is that their previous intern was great and hardworking, did what she was told, but that was it. She was not an innovative self-starter. She always needed to be told the next thing to work on. Jen said they were looking for an intern who was more than she was. I am so worried that I am the same or worse than that girl in their eyes. Maybe I am. Maybe I do just what I am told to do and don’t push the limits, which is what they are looking for. But on the other hand, I feel restricted by my limited knowledge. I want to come up with innovated projects and directions for the group, but I don’t know what is within my reach. I don’t have ownership over anything, so I don’t know what is my place. But they want me to break out of my place.
Although I am so happy that there are no other interns with the UK team for them to compare me to and for me to compete against, I am frustrated I have no one to compare myself to. The only intern I can observe is Simon, who moved to the desk at the end of my pod when the UK team switched. He is interning with Marketing, but I don’t know what he does all day. He sits at his laptop (he’s not given a computer) all day. Recently, another intern moved to our pod from Marketing. A new employee started and took her spot. She sits at the same desk as Simon and, in Emily’s words, “practically sits in his lap.” I get the impression he doesn’t do much, he comes to work just after 9 and leaves at 5. When I compare myself to them, I feel I do much more than they do, especially since I think their most recent task has been for them (I think) to basically stuff envelopes. Also, people are constantly coming and talking to him, maybe to tell him to do things. I don’t know, but now that the other intern is there, he yaps away all day, saying out loud, “Philly is, like, the worst city to live in.” The group all had their chance to bash him, especially Emily who sits next to him, at the dinner.
Wednesday was very difficult after that. I didn’t want to face any of the UK people. After a night on the town, I said maybe 7 words the entire evening besides haha, yeah, hello, thank you, and have a good night. Regardless, I chugged along as best I could. I honestly don’t even remember what I did on Wednesday thinking back on it now. Oh wait, I did go to a shoe finalization meeting with Jen for December January and February. So many shoes, and so many that didn’t make the cut that, if I had enough money to support myself with extra to spend, I would buy. An interesting discussion about the way the industry sells the seasons came up. We talked about why is the industry so stupid to sell clothes almost an entire season earlier than what we wear it for. And I finished up the first wave of the Edinburgh project.
Trying to let off some steam from the commute, ticket, and heat issues to remind myself I am so excited to be heading back home to see long-time family friends who are practically family, I will write a post and reflect on what a roller coaster of a week this was.
The week started off a little sad. I have been lucky enough to spend every weekend so far with my family, but every time I head back to the city of brotherly love I get wearier. I am very fortunate to have a family who really loves me and I love them. I never take for granted how lucky I am that we do anything, everything and beyond for each other, even if that anything is company on a trip to Target or watching Gilmore Girls together. Every moment counts when I am with them, and when I am with them I want to do as much “Sven stuff” as possible. Arriving back to the beautiful guest house, complete with air conditioning, microwave, stove, washer, drier, and usually functioning internet, after dark is, to put it simply, lonesome.
I had a very nice dinner with the Patterson family again on Monday evening. Their kindness, hospitality, and family energy is always comforting to be around. At the end of last week and the beginning of this week, I researched what was successful in the Edinburgh store. This is an endeavor none of the members of UK team had ever worked on, so I felt a little ownership over the project, which has been absent from my other projects.
On Tuesday, I looked at the September Journal to see what the UK had bought compared to what was in the catalogue. First I went through with accessories, then apparel.
The build up of the beginning of the week was for a dinner/drinks outing with the team. The event was for Jourdan, who is leaving, and I was invited to it!! The team had previously gone to dinner when the European version of Wendy, Gisella, was here the second week I was here. I was not invited. But I was considered one of the guys! Although maybe a little less so when they found out I was under 21. This was to be the make up for the birthday fiasco. I was so excited for this, to finally show them who I was outside of being an obedient and hardworking intern that I had built it up too much. I put a lot of pressure on myself for the dinner to be great and for me to become friendlier. My dreams did not come true. I ended up driving Ellen to the diner/bar, Silk City, which was nice, and she was a personable GPS. We made it perfectly, and even found a nearby gas station. 45 seconds after I sat down at the table with all of them, I realized I could not compete with their jokes and age. They talked about things that are a few years beyond mine, like salary, buying houses, neighborhoods, committed relationships, work, office gossip, and general life experiences I haven’t had yet or that I was too young at the time to remember (like cartoon tv shows and the like). So, I ended up being an observer, which I enjoyed because I got to see them outside of work (which isn’t too different from in work because they know how to make work fun), but I think they solidified in their minds that I am a quiet, hardworking, shy person. I am labeled.
So that partially disappointing experience, mixed with missing my family and my friends, having no intern friends here, and not knowing at all how I am doing at work, I completely broke down in the car on the way home. So much so my eyes were puffy the rest of Wednesday. A big portion of my frustration was that I had no idea how I was doing at work. Am I a good intern? Proactive? Just does what I am given? Innovative? Impulsive? Persistent? Not a pestering gnat? A comment Jen had made to me in my interview has really stuck with me, which is that their previous intern was great and hardworking, did what she was told, but that was it. She was not an innovative self-starter. She always needed to be told the next thing to work on. Jen said they were looking for an intern who was more than she was. I am so worried that I am the same or worse than that girl in their eyes. Maybe I am. Maybe I do just what I am told to do and don’t push the limits, which is what they are looking for. But on the other hand, I feel restricted by my limited knowledge. I want to come up with innovated projects and directions for the group, but I don’t know what is within my reach. I don’t have ownership over anything, so I don’t know what is my place. But they want me to break out of my place.
Although I am so happy that there are no other interns with the UK team for them to compare me to and for me to compete against, I am frustrated I have no one to compare myself to. The only intern I can observe is Simon, who moved to the desk at the end of my pod when the UK team switched. He is interning with Marketing, but I don’t know what he does all day. He sits at his laptop (he’s not given a computer) all day. Recently, another intern moved to our pod from Marketing. A new employee started and took her spot. She sits at the same desk as Simon and, in Emily’s words, “practically sits in his lap.” I get the impression he doesn’t do much, he comes to work just after 9 and leaves at 5. When I compare myself to them, I feel I do much more than they do, especially since I think their most recent task has been for them (I think) to basically stuff envelopes. Also, people are constantly coming and talking to him, maybe to tell him to do things. I don’t know, but now that the other intern is there, he yaps away all day, saying out loud, “Philly is, like, the worst city to live in.” The group all had their chance to bash him, especially Emily who sits next to him, at the dinner.
Wednesday was very difficult after that. I didn’t want to face any of the UK people. After a night on the town, I said maybe 7 words the entire evening besides haha, yeah, hello, thank you, and have a good night. Regardless, I chugged along as best I could. I honestly don’t even remember what I did on Wednesday thinking back on it now. Oh wait, I did go to a shoe finalization meeting with Jen for December January and February. So many shoes, and so many that didn’t make the cut that, if I had enough money to support myself with extra to spend, I would buy. An interesting discussion about the way the industry sells the seasons came up. We talked about why is the industry so stupid to sell clothes almost an entire season earlier than what we wear it for. And I finished up the first wave of the Edinburgh project.
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Writing on the train, part 1 7/15
As said in the title, I wrote this post on the train ride home the past Friday. There was no internet on the Regional to New Haven, so I am posting now. This will be the first of a few written at that time.
I am finally on my way home after a long commute to the train station. I was let out very early from work. Originally having a reservation for a 7:00 ticket, I tried to get an earlier train. Little did I know, the journey from the burbs would take me 3 times the amount it should have taken to get to the train station in Philly. After gallons of sweat, a few untamable teardrops, a lot of stress, huffing, and a little puffing, I made it on a train two hours earlier than the original. Not too shabby, although it would have been nice to get on the 3:57 if traffic had allowed me. Whatever. I’m over it.
I feel bad I haven’t set out the basics of what I have been working on at Anthropologie so far. I was so gung hoe about keeping a blog to collect all the memories of this experience. I didn’t want to forget a thing, but I avoided writing because it took me a very long time to process what has been happening. I have only come to this realization now. Having no experience in the buying and merchandising world, I didn’t even know how to log what people were saying and the projects they gave me to work on.
Meet the team:
Well, half are in London, so we’ll skip those
Chris: the planner, the supervisor, the (I think) more money end of the operation
Ellen: I am not sure what she does exactly, but I think she oversees all of the buyers. She seems to know everything about every product. She goes to every meeting. She seems to be the super woman. And, she leads with a soft-spoken demeanor that I admire
Jen: My mentor. She is the buyer for dresses and accessories, which includes jewelry, hats, scarves, winter wear, bags, shoes… and any other accessory item I can’t think of at the moment. She has pretty much taught me everything I know about the buying system and beyond.
Emily: Buyer for blouses, knits, and skirts. Now sits next to me.
Kim: Buyer for intimates, jackets, and trousers. Master of Denver, her wiener dog.
Jourdan: the merchandising assistant (MA), which is the next step after intern. She started only a few months ago, has had retail experience before coming to Anthro. She is leaving at the end of the month because of family issues at home. She will be transferred to a managing position at the Midwestern branch.
Me: the UK buying intern.
What I have been working on:
The first couple of weeks I really had to plough through everything to get a handle on it. The team made sure to bring me to every meeting to be exposed to as much as possible to be able to understand as much as I could about the process. I remember the first day, Jen spent an hour and a half explaining all of the main spreadsheets they use. They were so difficult to understand, especially because I haven’t looked at a spreadsheet like that EVER. I am so accustomed to the world of art classes, where I am working with my hands, and theater classes, where we talk about our feelings. Analytical work with numbers and paper is not something I have done in a long time. I tried to take as many notes as I could about everything, but it was hard to balance the writing with the listening. Either way I was missing things, hoping they would come up again at some point. The best has been learning by experience. I plunked out numbers to get through the different pages of IP (the system the company uses to keep track of everything about every product) and MTS, another product management program. I discovered the glory of the numeric pad on the right of the keyboard. SO MANY SKU NUMBERS. Mostly, I worked on the updating of information, quality control, and consistency of information.
All of the stuff they have had me work on is not busy work. The projects have been things that they needed to do themselves, or even things they wished they had time to do themselves. I am in awe of how much information the buyers have to keep track of. All of the lingo and learning how to comprehend it. Every project comes at the same time, and you must be up to date on everything. This job is multitasking to the infinite degree. The first two weeks were like learning a new language. Completely. Though, I did have a great moment the other day when I realized I could type the numbers speedily and basically without looking at the numeric pad on the keyboard. I wonder if this is what Spain is going to be like. A complete overload where I try to soak in as much as I can, ask questions, and get enough sleep to be recharged for the next day. This is all mental exertion, nothing physical, except for hiking up 3 large flights of stairs multiple times a day.
I am finally on my way home after a long commute to the train station. I was let out very early from work. Originally having a reservation for a 7:00 ticket, I tried to get an earlier train. Little did I know, the journey from the burbs would take me 3 times the amount it should have taken to get to the train station in Philly. After gallons of sweat, a few untamable teardrops, a lot of stress, huffing, and a little puffing, I made it on a train two hours earlier than the original. Not too shabby, although it would have been nice to get on the 3:57 if traffic had allowed me. Whatever. I’m over it.
I feel bad I haven’t set out the basics of what I have been working on at Anthropologie so far. I was so gung hoe about keeping a blog to collect all the memories of this experience. I didn’t want to forget a thing, but I avoided writing because it took me a very long time to process what has been happening. I have only come to this realization now. Having no experience in the buying and merchandising world, I didn’t even know how to log what people were saying and the projects they gave me to work on.
Meet the team:
Well, half are in London, so we’ll skip those
Chris: the planner, the supervisor, the (I think) more money end of the operation
Ellen: I am not sure what she does exactly, but I think she oversees all of the buyers. She seems to know everything about every product. She goes to every meeting. She seems to be the super woman. And, she leads with a soft-spoken demeanor that I admire
Jen: My mentor. She is the buyer for dresses and accessories, which includes jewelry, hats, scarves, winter wear, bags, shoes… and any other accessory item I can’t think of at the moment. She has pretty much taught me everything I know about the buying system and beyond.
Emily: Buyer for blouses, knits, and skirts. Now sits next to me.
Kim: Buyer for intimates, jackets, and trousers. Master of Denver, her wiener dog.
Jourdan: the merchandising assistant (MA), which is the next step after intern. She started only a few months ago, has had retail experience before coming to Anthro. She is leaving at the end of the month because of family issues at home. She will be transferred to a managing position at the Midwestern branch.
Me: the UK buying intern.
What I have been working on:
The first couple of weeks I really had to plough through everything to get a handle on it. The team made sure to bring me to every meeting to be exposed to as much as possible to be able to understand as much as I could about the process. I remember the first day, Jen spent an hour and a half explaining all of the main spreadsheets they use. They were so difficult to understand, especially because I haven’t looked at a spreadsheet like that EVER. I am so accustomed to the world of art classes, where I am working with my hands, and theater classes, where we talk about our feelings. Analytical work with numbers and paper is not something I have done in a long time. I tried to take as many notes as I could about everything, but it was hard to balance the writing with the listening. Either way I was missing things, hoping they would come up again at some point. The best has been learning by experience. I plunked out numbers to get through the different pages of IP (the system the company uses to keep track of everything about every product) and MTS, another product management program. I discovered the glory of the numeric pad on the right of the keyboard. SO MANY SKU NUMBERS. Mostly, I worked on the updating of information, quality control, and consistency of information.
All of the stuff they have had me work on is not busy work. The projects have been things that they needed to do themselves, or even things they wished they had time to do themselves. I am in awe of how much information the buyers have to keep track of. All of the lingo and learning how to comprehend it. Every project comes at the same time, and you must be up to date on everything. This job is multitasking to the infinite degree. The first two weeks were like learning a new language. Completely. Though, I did have a great moment the other day when I realized I could type the numbers speedily and basically without looking at the numeric pad on the keyboard. I wonder if this is what Spain is going to be like. A complete overload where I try to soak in as much as I can, ask questions, and get enough sleep to be recharged for the next day. This is all mental exertion, nothing physical, except for hiking up 3 large flights of stairs multiple times a day.
Friday, July 15, 2011
Fun days!
While my siblings were helping my youngest sister get into full Voldemort attire for the final Harry Potter movie premier, I was picking out my own outfit for the second of two major intern field trips in two days. Yesterday I went to Dick Hayne's farm at Doe Run. This morning I am sitting in Starbucks nearby the first Anthropologie store where the Anthro interns are meeting with the two presidents of the brand and later having a picnic with the ladies. I am meeting the shuttle at the store, so I don't want to be late! The itinerary said the shuttle left the Navy Yard at 9:30 and will get here around 10. I think that is false, considering it takes me 35 minutes on a good day to get home, and the Anthro store is in the opposite direction. We'll see. I 'd rather be early than late!
I will definitely post pictures of these two amazing days when I am home today or tomorrow.
I will definitely post pictures of these two amazing days when I am home today or tomorrow.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Long Day
Ehhh, no vocab list. Early morning and stayed until 6 at work. Sorry folks! I had dinner with the cousins tonight and just got back. So nice! It was refreshing not having frozen pizza for once on a week night. It was really fun seeing them all. Played Black-Ops for the first time! I hope to see them again next week. I know they have plans to travel.
Anyway, late night to bed. Maybe an episode of PLL before I sleep? Good night.
Anyway, late night to bed. Maybe an episode of PLL before I sleep? Good night.
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Moved!
The team is no longer in the middle of design. We are on the second floor very close to Wendy's office. Good? I think so. But, the area is very dark. Not as open as downstairs. And it's not as close. The desks are pretty spread apart. I get more room, but I am no longer next to Jen. I am in between Ellen and Emily.
The vibe of the group after the long weekend was more negative than I thought. There was a weird feeling in the air. Was it because of the move? I don't think so. I think some changes are happening. I know Jordan is leaving at the end of the month, but that is no new news. That was announced last week. This morning, the group had a pow-wow that I wasn't really invited to, but I tried to listen. All I could hear was that responsibilities are shifting, but it didn't sound good. I will update as I find out more.
Tomorrow I plan on giving a vocab list. Lots of things keep flying by that I want to make clear to myself. Also, I want to catch up! Wahhh!! I just have to settle down earlier in the evening, which won't happen tomorrow. I am having dinner with the cousins! Very excited.
More to come!
The vibe of the group after the long weekend was more negative than I thought. There was a weird feeling in the air. Was it because of the move? I don't think so. I think some changes are happening. I know Jordan is leaving at the end of the month, but that is no new news. That was announced last week. This morning, the group had a pow-wow that I wasn't really invited to, but I tried to listen. All I could hear was that responsibilities are shifting, but it didn't sound good. I will update as I find out more.
Tomorrow I plan on giving a vocab list. Lots of things keep flying by that I want to make clear to myself. Also, I want to catch up! Wahhh!! I just have to settle down earlier in the evening, which won't happen tomorrow. I am having dinner with the cousins! Very excited.
More to come!
It's been a long time coming!
Ahhh, I just want to write about what's happening now. I have been avoiding writing because I don't want to play catch up. I'll briefly touch on a few main points from the past two weeks. I'll write more tomorrow.
First Day!!
I reported to the Navy Yard 5 to 9 on June 20th. The last round of interns were starting the same day as me, and we all met in the lobby of the visitor building. (Other stuff happens there like HR kind of stuff, photography and such, but I don't know exactly what is there. No brand is housed in Building 12). I was so nervous!! It was worse than the first day of college... Well, maybe tied with the first day of college. I wanted to make the right impression, but I couldn't even open my mouth. Not only are these interns my peers, but they are also my colleagues in work. Although I proved my worth to my superiors the day I interviewed, now I have to further show I deserve to be and belong at URBN. It's a lot of hard work! Anyway, Mary Grace, the college recruiter, planned a low key orientation for the morning. She put together a presentation and folders of important info, intern trips, an URBN notebook and URBN pen. We all got yellow URBN bags. Does anyone ever know the right stuff to put down for any of those federal payroll forms? I've done them before, but I can never figure out what applies to me. Best part: I have an employee discount card. Holla!!
After the morning orientation, Mary Grace walked each one of us to our desks. I was the last one. When I got to the UK pod, everyone I interviewed with was there, and they each gave me a hug!! It was so nice! I was so nervous, so of course I was awkward. But, it was really comforting. They all want me there. They showed me to my own desk (!!), and I settled in, checking my company email and getting a feel for my computer. That afternoon, I sat in on a meeting ( I think best-worst meeting where the US talks about the best and worst in each class). I don't have my notebook with me, so I can elaborate more soon. And then Jenn, the main person I report to, explained a lot about all the different spread sheets they work with. My brain was exploding.
Commuting:
PA drivers are nuts. People run lights, cut me off, speed up, don't let me in, and generally act like psychos. In order for me to just get around I have become a crazier driver myself. Not a bad driver, just more gutsy. I have become more aware of people around me. The other morning, I was already stopped at a light, waiting for it to turn green (Obviously). And I hear constant, persistent honking. I look around to see what was going on and see a lady yelling her brains out at me, shaking her hands when she's not honking, demanding I move so she can pull into the entrance to a shopping center to my right. There is no where for me to move. I am directly behind the person in front of me. Luckily, the light turned green so I could get away from her. That is just one example of the many freaks on the road.
My living situation:
I am living in the guest house of a family friend in the burbs of Philly. They have generously let me stay here for the duration of my internship. The house is equipped with more than I need to live. I feel very lucky, especially because I thought I would be living in a last minute dump somewhere in Philly.
Ok, I am going to post again to reflect a little on today.
First Day!!
I reported to the Navy Yard 5 to 9 on June 20th. The last round of interns were starting the same day as me, and we all met in the lobby of the visitor building. (Other stuff happens there like HR kind of stuff, photography and such, but I don't know exactly what is there. No brand is housed in Building 12). I was so nervous!! It was worse than the first day of college... Well, maybe tied with the first day of college. I wanted to make the right impression, but I couldn't even open my mouth. Not only are these interns my peers, but they are also my colleagues in work. Although I proved my worth to my superiors the day I interviewed, now I have to further show I deserve to be and belong at URBN. It's a lot of hard work! Anyway, Mary Grace, the college recruiter, planned a low key orientation for the morning. She put together a presentation and folders of important info, intern trips, an URBN notebook and URBN pen. We all got yellow URBN bags. Does anyone ever know the right stuff to put down for any of those federal payroll forms? I've done them before, but I can never figure out what applies to me. Best part: I have an employee discount card. Holla!!
After the morning orientation, Mary Grace walked each one of us to our desks. I was the last one. When I got to the UK pod, everyone I interviewed with was there, and they each gave me a hug!! It was so nice! I was so nervous, so of course I was awkward. But, it was really comforting. They all want me there. They showed me to my own desk (!!), and I settled in, checking my company email and getting a feel for my computer. That afternoon, I sat in on a meeting ( I think best-worst meeting where the US talks about the best and worst in each class). I don't have my notebook with me, so I can elaborate more soon. And then Jenn, the main person I report to, explained a lot about all the different spread sheets they work with. My brain was exploding.
Commuting:
PA drivers are nuts. People run lights, cut me off, speed up, don't let me in, and generally act like psychos. In order for me to just get around I have become a crazier driver myself. Not a bad driver, just more gutsy. I have become more aware of people around me. The other morning, I was already stopped at a light, waiting for it to turn green (Obviously). And I hear constant, persistent honking. I look around to see what was going on and see a lady yelling her brains out at me, shaking her hands when she's not honking, demanding I move so she can pull into the entrance to a shopping center to my right. There is no where for me to move. I am directly behind the person in front of me. Luckily, the light turned green so I could get away from her. That is just one example of the many freaks on the road.
My living situation:
I am living in the guest house of a family friend in the burbs of Philly. They have generously let me stay here for the duration of my internship. The house is equipped with more than I need to live. I feel very lucky, especially because I thought I would be living in a last minute dump somewhere in Philly.
Ok, I am going to post again to reflect a little on today.
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Catch up!
There is so much to talk about. I feel behind because I didn't write last week. One step at a time! Tonight I will tackle how I got here.
I am a tour guide at Skidmore College. Back in March I unknowingly gave a tour to the co-president of Anthropologie and her son. She approached me afterwards to thank me for the tour and ask me about my Etsy shop. She proceeded to tell me about her position in the company, how Anthropologie is frequently looking at and inspired by Etsy and loves having college interns. She gave me her business card, which is paper gold, and told me to contact her with my shop url. That evening, I emailed her with a thoughtfully crafted message and the following day I sent her my favorite barrette. The next Saturday, she responed, thanking me for the barrette and the tour, and she said she would like me to come to "her campus".
From there, we set up a day I could visit the Navy Yard. I was still in school at that point, so I had to wait until the summer. I had no idea what I was in for, except that Wendy wanted me for something. I didn't know if I was in for an interview, a chat, a tour. I didn't know what they were offering. I didn't know if I was in for a position in the company. It was all a mystery.
When I finally made it down, I was at URBN for a 3 hour long interview, tossed between almost 10 people in total throughout the 3 hours. The whole time I kept reminding myself to be me. That is who they wanted to see. All were extremely friendly, intelligent, and passionate about their work. All knew about my tour with Wendy, had my resume, and were excited about my portfolio. The day concluded with a chat with Wendy. She greeted me with a handshake and a kiss on the cheek, loved my artwork, spoke to me like a mom, and sent me off with a hug. She told me, while it ultimately was the UK teams decision if they wanted me or not, she really wanted me there. Soon after they called to offer me a paid summer internship position with the UK team. I didn't even know what they wanted with me until after I got the phone call.
Everyday I come home wiped. Everything is so foreign. Physically, I sit most of the day. Mentally, I am assimilating to a completely new culture and learning a new language on the job. Is this what going abroad is going to be like? If so, I don't know if my body will make it.
Tomorrow I will expand on the actual things I am doing at work. Too tired to write more. Now time for a shower and shut eye.
I am a tour guide at Skidmore College. Back in March I unknowingly gave a tour to the co-president of Anthropologie and her son. She approached me afterwards to thank me for the tour and ask me about my Etsy shop. She proceeded to tell me about her position in the company, how Anthropologie is frequently looking at and inspired by Etsy and loves having college interns. She gave me her business card, which is paper gold, and told me to contact her with my shop url. That evening, I emailed her with a thoughtfully crafted message and the following day I sent her my favorite barrette. The next Saturday, she responed, thanking me for the barrette and the tour, and she said she would like me to come to "her campus".
From there, we set up a day I could visit the Navy Yard. I was still in school at that point, so I had to wait until the summer. I had no idea what I was in for, except that Wendy wanted me for something. I didn't know if I was in for an interview, a chat, a tour. I didn't know what they were offering. I didn't know if I was in for a position in the company. It was all a mystery.
When I finally made it down, I was at URBN for a 3 hour long interview, tossed between almost 10 people in total throughout the 3 hours. The whole time I kept reminding myself to be me. That is who they wanted to see. All were extremely friendly, intelligent, and passionate about their work. All knew about my tour with Wendy, had my resume, and were excited about my portfolio. The day concluded with a chat with Wendy. She greeted me with a handshake and a kiss on the cheek, loved my artwork, spoke to me like a mom, and sent me off with a hug. She told me, while it ultimately was the UK teams decision if they wanted me or not, she really wanted me there. Soon after they called to offer me a paid summer internship position with the UK team. I didn't even know what they wanted with me until after I got the phone call.
Everyday I come home wiped. Everything is so foreign. Physically, I sit most of the day. Mentally, I am assimilating to a completely new culture and learning a new language on the job. Is this what going abroad is going to be like? If so, I don't know if my body will make it.
Tomorrow I will expand on the actual things I am doing at work. Too tired to write more. Now time for a shower and shut eye.
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Hello, Blog World!
This blog will follow me through my internship experience at Anthropologie at the URBN, Inc. headquarters in Philadelphia, PA. With this blog, I hope to share my thoughts and reflections with friends and family, especially Christina, my oldest sister, who will be in Turkey for the duration of my internship.
Look out for my ensembles from the week! I will be posting them at the end of every week.
Find out what my sister is up to!
http://allturkeynogravy.blogspot.com/
Want to see the inspiration for the title? Follow this link! My friend, Gretta, shared this with me. It is too true at the Navy Yard. Anthropologie loves its birds.
http://www.putabirdonit.com/
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