INSIDERS PERSPECTIVE

Moving to New York City is a huge investment. The cost of living in Manhattan is extremely high and I have started to notice the large price tags. Although working for a major company is a great experience and I am so fortunate to have this opportunity, the major down fall is that I am an unpaid intern. Contrary to a normal job, I am essentially paying to work as opposed to being paid to work. When I factor in rent, transportation, and college tuition it seems that I am on the loosing end of the spending scale. However, my company does compensate the interns by allowing us to go to sample sales where items are significantly discounted.

Today was the first sample sale that we were allowed to attend. Unfortunately, we were unaware of the sale until after it was concluded. Our department head failed to inform us of the sale – I believe to be unintentionally. Although it was accidental it was frustrating because admission into the sample sale is truly the only type of reparation that interns receive. I felt as though I was being deprived of an opportunity.

Speaking of opportunities, I thought that because my internship was unpaid I should attempt to find a retail job, and what better place other than for one of the company stores. It is shocking to me that now every time I see an a company store or product I react differently to them then I would have prior to my work experience. The reaction is not necessarily good but not necessarily bad. It is almost like the feeling of that first Christmas after you find out that Santa isn’t real – all of the mystery seems to me gone. The charm and the appeal seem to be so obvious to me now. It stinks!