Student Testimonials

What are some of the tips you learned from the internship class?
"Networking is your lifeline, a lot of students aren’t aware of how competitive and insanely difficult getting industry jobs are. Every place wants at least 2 years experience in the field, and students cannot compete with graduates from 2 years ago in the eyes of recruiters.
- It’s also incredibly important to build and MAINTAIN relationships in the industry and I cannot stress this enough. I still use my last two internships as references and have built wonderful friendships with them!! They helped me secure my current job now!
- Lastly, knowing how to promote yourself and building a good linkedin profile. Even I forget just how often Linkedin is used to gauge you as a candidate. It’s the professionals instagram."

How did the classroom exercises or assignments prepare you for the real word/job/internship interviews?
"I will be very honest in my response here because I feel its incredibly important. I am a first-generation immigrant alongside my parents, and I cannot describe how difficult it is to learn how to properly build your professionalism and start a career when no one in your family, or even their close friends, has ever truly come close to it.
- I am proud to say that I am the only and only woman on both sides of my family who has a degree and works in my field. To the average person, that seems like the bare minimum, but to me and my family? It is the end to a centuries long generational curse. I could not have been able to break through that stigma without the assistance of all the classroom materials and exercises that I learned.
- Mock interviews, making thank you cards, properly writing emails, constantly drilling workplace etiquette, are all just short examples of things that are so incredibly important and are not openly taught to an underprivileged demographic. These things make you stand out as a candidate, especially as a person of color. You’d also be incredibly surprised at how often other candidates are not aware or conscious of how to properly conduct themselves, and that makes all the difference.
- Lastly, I would like to thank both of my internship class professors (x and y) for being phenomenal mentors to me. It’s incredibly heartwarming to have people like them cheering you on and believing in you to succeed!!"

Headshot: Would like IS head shot

Fashion Design BFA - Spring 2024

Classes: IC497 Fall 2023; L Hubbell IC297 Spring 2021

Internships:

• • Kay Unger Evening Wear
    
  • IGDesign Group Americas
    
  • Meridian Brands
    
  • Yeon

Current Position: Design Assistant, Zar Apparel Group

"The Internship class provided a safe space for everyone to share which helped validate all experiences, challenges, and situations. It also helped me learn about other organizational cultures and work environments, which was something very important to me.

I thoroughly enjoyed the assignments and discussions which allowed me to fully get the most out of my internship  experience. I currently am still at the workplace where I began as an intern, and I truly believe the skills acquired and the support I gained helped me get to where I am in my career today.

There is a lot of workplace knowledge that is less familiar to undergraduate students, and I am so grateful I had this opportunity to help prepare me for the transition into a full-time position."

Note: As an FIT student, Dana Hansen was a student in IC497 in 2016 interning with TJ; she was hired from her internship; today she is a merchandising operations manager and supervises interns. As of spring 2024, Dana has been an adjunct instructor for the Internship Studies department

Headshot: Yes

Major/Graduation Date: FBM 2016

Class: IC497 – Spring 2016

Internships: TJX

Title: Merchandising Operations Manager TJX; FY26;  TJX  PRIDE ARG Lead 

“HD111 was a transformative experience! I gained the self-awareness, skills and tools to confidently navigate my career path. Highly recommend!

Note: Neha Jain was a student in HD111-Career Planning and IC297 internship class. In spring 2024, she returned to FIT as an adjunct instructor and has been teaching  IC297: Career Exploration and IC497: Senior Internship classes."

During the pandemic, Neha completed an MBA: Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management.
At Studio Ray, Neha hired some FIT students as freelance photographers

Headshot: Yes

Major/Graduation Date: FBM ‘2011

Internships:

Classes: IC297 and HD111

Title: Neha is  CEO of Joestar. As of spring 2025, Neha is an adjunct instructor for  the Internship Studies department.

Did you enjoy your internship?
"I absolutely loved my internship! It was great to get hands-on experience in the music industry because post grad I’d love to secure a role!"

What were some tips you learned from the internship class?
"The biggest thing I learned in the internship course is to network and keep in touch with the people you work with. During my internship they referred me to a different label over the summer."

How did the classroom exercises or assignments prepare you for the real world/internship and/or job interviews?
"The final project helped me to understand the potential jobs that are available post-grad. Through the project, we looked at the skills needed and compared our skills. It was great to understand the possible jobs and where I could put my strongest skill set.”

Headshot: Yes

AMC’2026 (Confirm)

Class: IC297 – Fall 2023

Internships: Interscope Records; 1520 Vision – (Confirm)

Current Position: 1824 Universal Music Group (Confirm title)

Did you enjoy your internship? 
"Yes, it was extremely valuable and has given me endless things to discuss in job interviews." 

What were some tips you learned from the internship class?
"I took a lot from the class but one of my favorite parts was talking to my peers and hearing about their experiences; each company seems to run internship programs very differently. It allowed me to hear about different job options in the field and companies based in NYC that I had not heard of before. I also enjoyed having an HR professional in the class because understanding their perspective has made it easier when applying and she had great tips on the overall process!" 

How did the classroom exercises or assignments prepare you for the real-world/internship and/or job interviews?
"The assignments in a way forced me to complete certain things promptly which was very beneficial. The reflections also gave me a moment to slow down and process what I was doing all semester. I also feel talking to my supervisor and doing the interview assignment with them was super helpful because it was a very intentional and productive conversation and it seemed like they enjoyed doing it! 
- I greatly valued the class and believe every student should partake in it at least once, I wish Oneonta had a program like this. Now after graduation see how much recruiters want to know about hands-on experience. Though college classes are important they really value what you have done outside the classroom."

Headshot: 

3:1 Student from Oneonta

Class: IC297-25B – Spring 2024

Internship: Goop

Currently: As of Jan 2025, Merchandising Assistant at TJX Companies