Catherine Carpenter Name:  Catherine Carpenter

Major:  Merchandising Apparel and Textiles

Expected graduation date:  May 2019

Internship Location:  Scotch & Soda (New York City, NY)

Please describe your typical day as an intern:  My typical day consisted of various tasks. After I would arrive at the office and get settled, I check through all of my emails. If there were urgent requests from stylists, editorial contacts or marketing contacts I would first complete those. The rest of my day consisted of gathering high resolution images of our styles for styling and editorial purposes, managing the men's and women's showroom and sample closet, conducting market research and working with wholesale clients.

How are you using and applying classroom knowledge in your internship?  

Throughout my classes at the University of Kentucky I have learned about the production and timeline of creating and selling products in the fashion industry. I put this knowledge to use to better manage my time at my internship and develop a better understanding of this knowledge.

What is one key thing you have learned during your internship?  

One key thing I learned during my internship is the process of buying clothes for niche retailing, department retailing and in-house retailing. Although an entire collection was produced, styles have the potential to be cancelled, changed or fail to be bought for retail selling.

If you could share one piece of advice for other students who are preparing to complete an internship, what would it be?  

One piece of advice I would share for future students who are preparing to complete an internship would be... ASK QUESTIONS. If you are curious or confused, ask someone who you think would be able to answer your questions or concerns best. Not only is that how you will learn, but asking questions also allows you to do your job in the best way possible.