Internship in...?

Question

I'm homeschooled and want to know about any internships in the fashion industry. also if you know any that accept high school sophomores and will being homeschool give me a better chance at any. Like you know a special thing. The internships can be at someone's business like getting coffee and packing boxes or at a magazine like ElleGirl or Teenvogue helping with photo shoots.

Answer 1

Do you actually live in one of the areas where these magazines conduct business?  I would say lowering your expectations and applying for an unpaid internship at a department store or boutique would be more reasonable.

Edit:  I'm glad you set your standards high, but there is a limit to how much you can do at say 15 or 16, usually.  Without being in close proximity to LA or NYC, I'd say, doing something at your age will be difficult, too.  Some internships are paid and some are not.  

I would also beg to differ.  There is a lot you can learn from someone who is in fashion merchandising and interacting with customers that you could later apply to a career in fashion design.  You would learn practical things about store design, presentation and overall business strategy.  

Top Contributor means you are a regular contributor.  I am one for Special Education and Financial Aid.  I just saw your question about internships and knowing that I had helped my students find local ones in recent years, I thought I would help.

Answer 2

With that attitude toward adults, you are a jewel to work with, aren't you?     Any employer will be happy to have you on their team.

Answer 3

I know a high school sophomore (homeschooled) who is doing a shadow program at a large hospital - to my knowledge he's either the only student or one of a handpicked few.  As long as you are of legal working age, many businesses are willing to let you do something like this.  They do it with college students all the time - they usually don't with high schoolers simply because the student's schedule doesn't allow it, but as a homeschooler, you have an advantage there.

I would put together a letter introducing yourself to the HR person (go online or call to find out who that is; if you call, sound professional).  Then, call to follow up.  Explain what you're looking for, that you don't expect to be paid or have a status position, and that you would really appreciate the opportunity to intern in any way - from packing boxes and delivering coffee to helping in other areas.  Politely explain that you are not looking for them to give you a paid position, but that you are looking for real-life experience to help you in your training for this field.  

They may wish to see a portfolio of what you've designed or ideas that you have, so have one ready.  If they don't ask to see it, you can still have it on hand for later on down the line - once you get to know experienced people, they may be willing to give you their opinions.

Also - be prepared for inevitable "no's", and know that they have nothing to do with you as a person or a future designer.  Fashion design is a very high-paced business, and there are times when businesses are just not in a place to offer mentorships.  Keep on looking, don't give up, and don't let any of that get discouraging.  It happens, and you need to learn to work with it.  "No's" come in every art-based industry (more so than many other types of industries), and you need to learn to roll with them.

Good luck!

Edit - actually, Elizabeth S gave you some good advice.  I would say to go ahead and check around with any local businesses that work in fashion design, but if none of them bite, don't rule out fashion merchandising opportunities.  These will still put you close to companies that work in fashion design, and may allow you to gain contacts that can help you down the road.

When you're at the bottom of the career ladder, don't pass up any rung that can eventually cause you to climb.  :-)