Making it at In-Person Internships Once Again

Car honks are back. Noise complaints are picking up again. City lights are brighter than ever. Maskless people are flooding the streets of Manhattan. The city that never sleeps is sleep-deprived, literally.

Every cloud has a silver lining — and the gloominess that has consumed the world over the past year is finally being uncovered by a ray of light. As cities adapt to swift reopenings, small businesses, large corporations, and people of all walks of life are shifting towards a “new normal.” In most cases, this means making last-minute lifestyle adjustments.

Despite the growing normalcy, things still look different for college students participating in summer internships. Instead of packing their bags and saying goodbye to family and friends after a short-lived vacation, most students are cooped up in their rooms, rolling out of bed at 8:59 to log onto Zoom at 9:00 a.m. Working from home has its fair share of pros, but as an adult in your 20s, it seems almost counterproductive to be locked in a space that once represented a more juvenile phase of life.

With rapid vaccine roll-outs and a bit of luck, some college students are getting last-minute in-person experiences at work. Just as companies have opened their doors to hybrid jobs and new applicants, the same is occurring with internships. From investment banking to fashion opportunities, students are experiencing a comeback in full swing.

Cristina Palop, a rising senior at NYU, is spending her summer at PURPLE, a leading PR agency in the sphere of fashion, lifestyle, and design. Unlike her peers, Cristina knew her experience as a summer fashion intern would be fully in-person. As one of the lucky few who stepped into an office after a paralyzing year of remote work, Cristina compares this role to her online internship during the spring semester.

“Having an in-person internship makes me feel whole again,” she said. “The change is a lot more personal than a Zoom call — I can finally see the progression of brands, instead of just imagining it from start to finish.”

PURPLE, like Cristina, is adapting to hands-on work again. In turn, interns like Cristina get to run around the city, transporting clothes from the office to event venues, and also organizing and steaming outfit pieces.

“I love following the day-to-day ‘hustle and bustle’ of the city and the company,” said Cristina. “In just four weeks, I have learned extensively about the agency and the client’s needs, all thanks to direct interactions in-person.”

Other college students, like Juliana Perez, are tugging the fine line between online and in-person — but something is better than nothing. Perez’s internship at Bloomingdale’s this summer entailed an online format, but she was happily surprised to hear that interns would attend market appointments at the NYC Headquarters for an in-person component.

“I switched over from Kidswear to Menswear within my first week, and the transition was eased by my relationship with other interns and colleagues,” said Juliana. “Although I expected a fully hybrid mode, the in-person opportunities are so exciting and fulfilling. Human interaction is underrated.”

We agree. Even if the switch to in-person internships doesn’t include handshakes and team lunches as part of the package, we’re satisfied. Five-minute chats by the elevator — even with the barrier of the masks — are something you can’t get working from home.

And, of course, for students like Cristina and Juliana, who are making their mark in the fashion industry, not every task can be done virtually. Photoshoot outfits can’t unpack themselves, and sample closets require personal attention.

It’s time for interns to make it in Manhattan again — in person and in style.