We all know that finding an internship is hard at some point. We try so hard to get in. We send resumes everywhere and try even harder to have a good GPA to get the attention of the company that we are interested. What if that industry is in New York? What if that industry is about fashion?
"Life is of taking risks. If you don't move from your comfort zone, you will never be able to find what is outside."
Vanessa is very active on social media. I can say that Instagram is her hidden weapon. Her passion for fashion has been with her since she was a kid. Now, at almost 21 years old, she feels lucky that she has made the right choice.
In February, she found out about a workshop held in New York. I remember her telling me: "I didn't have the help of my parents. I remember that my mom told me to go, but she never gave me the money. The workshop cost me $1,500, where in the world would I earn that money on time?"
She took the risk and, with eight other girls she didn't know, flew to New York. The workshop was with the well-known Mexican designer Mayela Vazquez. Vanessa said that she felt nervous but had her mind open to a new thing. She also told me that she went there thinking of being a designer. But now she wants to become a product developer.
Out of her group, Vanessa was the only one who got an internship at Marchesa. Something that Vanessa learned at the workshop was that you don't go to find friends. Everything is a competition, and if you snooze, you lose. You can find all kinds of people. It sounds mean, but you need to be focused on your own personal goals.
Don't be afraid. Get out of your comfort zone.
We usually are too scared to go further. This usually happens when our families are not supporting us or because of the money. At this point, schools offer us scholarships or other types of aid that can help us financially. If not, our savings are very helpful. At first, all kinds of scary things will go through our minds. But it is now or never!
Be humble but at the same time strong.
"What I noticed at the workshop was that everyone was willing to help. Don't get me wrong, I was also there to help. What is wrong is when you try to push things to make them happen," Vanessa shared with me. We tend to make this types of mistakes when we want to help -- but at the same time, we are being selfish. We put too much pressure on yourself, at the same time with our manager or persons that we want to make them like us.
"Everything you get to live will be developed in your personality and character."
Motivate yourself. Don't overthink it.
Vanessa made a good point on this. And she stressed the importance of being involved at school. Get involved in organizations. Make yourself known at any place you attend, and get your voice heard. Those small details that we tend to forget or ignore, but they are important to others. Repeat a quote or phrase that makes you get up every morning to be better than yesterday. Don't get scared.
Vanessa is pursuing a bachelor's degree in in international businesses and marketing at the University of Texas at El Paso. Because of the workshop she took in New York, she got an internship for the summer and will be transferring to Fashion Institute of Technology.
