Visual Merchandising Intern (For College Credit; Unpaid)
Are you interested in gaining meaningful real-world, hands-on training experience that will foster your creative edge and fuel your passion for fashion? Do you want to get your foot in the floor with one of the only Chicago-based retailers? Are you seeking an internship for college credit in the fashion industry? If so, AKIRA’s summer visual merchandising internship may be for you. We are currently looking for motivated, hard working individuals interested in an eight week in-store learning experience to develop a foundational knowledge of visual merchandising by working alongside a visual merchandiser within an assigned store(s).
The Role:
- Working directly alongside the visual team to strategize and execute visual merchandising-related activities within an assigned store(s)
- Visual merchandising related activities include (but are not limited to) executing: VM directives, rack merchandising, table displays, accessory displays, sales floor and window mannequin styling, processing and placement of shipment, floor sets, weekly selling reports analysis, etc.
- Staying current with fashion trends and incorporating trends into merchandising work
- Analyzing quantitative selling data
- Making decisions dependent on store merchandising needs and data analysis
- Communicating with your assigned merchandising mentor, store manager(s), & store staff on a daily basis
Qualifications:
- Current enrollment in an undergraduate or graduate program (this is an unpaid internship)
- Available early mornings and weekdays
- Prior retail experience preferred, but not mandatory
- Strong attention to detail
- Knowledgeable about fashion, trends, and forecasting
- Capable of working with various style preferences
- Efficient and quick pace when working both independently and as part of a team
- Capable of lifting at least 30 lbs.
- Strong organizational, effective communication, and time management skills
Benefits:
- Up to 40 hours per week, plus receive College Credit
- Evaluation of your performance by mentor
- Excellent real-world, hands-on training experience
- 30% employee discount
- Some flexibility to adapt certain parts of internship to focus on intern-specific interests