Week 10: Evaluate your experience

 
This experience is definitely something that I will remember all throughout my years. Having the chance to intern with the company I have always wanted to work for is such a dream come true. I was given the opportunity to meet people in various departments of the company which opens up windows for networking & future employment possibilities. They entrusted me with projects that would benefit the company & were always open-minded about my opinions & suggestions.
 
What I liked the most about this company is that they weren’t just interested in how we can benefit them but also how they can benefit us. They wanted to know our goals & what we wanted for our futures. They always let us know that they would help us create the paths that would lead us there.
 
The company also lets us grow with them. They have been emphasizing their relationship with the arts & with every chance they get, they take us on art-walks & tours to further our knowledge. They widen our horizons & open our eyes to more than just what the company is known for. It is a very open relationship & I was definitely able to express myself.
 
I believe that I gained more than I ever imagined from this internship because I became part of a family that legitimately cared about you & your dreams. They made it clear that there was job opportunities in the future & I am definitely pushing for that. I was very fortunate to see more than just one aspect of the company in such a short time & hopefully my journey does not end here. I intend on sending them a letter to thank them for such a great learning experience & follow up on the fact that I am interested in working there.

 

Week 9: Show Your Resume Around

Showing my resume around has definitely helped me gain recognition on the strengths & weaknesses of my resume. I spoke to professionals from companies as small as Double Zero to companies as big as Suit Supply. I was given plenty compliments on my resume when it comes to company growth & experience but also received constructive criticism as to the lack of detail.

One of the gentlemen I was able to talk to mentioned that in my profile statement I mentioned helping the company through innovative projects yet never mentioned any of these projects. He suggested that I bullet-pointed the most important projects I’ve worked on without disrupting the simplicity of my resume. I need to add more “talking points” as to why I stand out amongst the rest. Currently what my resume shows right now is that I was promoted easily but it doesn’t explain why.

Another individual also recommended that I specify what I did to increase customer loyalty. This way, I would get more opportunities for interviews. She said that my resume would be sufficient during an interview but to get an interview amongst the other applicants, I would need to spice it up a little more.

I am really glad that I had the opportunity to do this activity because it will definitely help me in the long run. Before showing around my resume, I had absolutely no clue what was missing or what I could improve on. Now that I have this information I will definitely re-do my resume. They have also been kind enough to let me send them my resume for review after I have made my improvements.

It is also good that I asked a variety of people from diverse companies because each company has certain things they are looking for that would best suit them. I learned a lot because of this activity.

Week 8: My Professional Resume

Kriscia Calimbahin

Kriscia.angela@yahoo.com

997 Grand Cerritos Ave.

Las Vegas, NV 89183

702-688-0455

PROFILE STATEMENT

A dynamic individual with excellent exposure to fashion and retail management. Proven to increase revenue and customer loyalty through innovative projects. Highly motivated and looking forward to learning and contributing to the greatness of this industry.

SKILLS AND EXPERTISE

·      Fluent in English and Tagalog

·      Knowledgeable in operating

§  QuickBooks

§  Magento

§  PayPal

§  Authorize.net

§  Open Table

§  Microsoft Excel, Word, Power Point, Outlook, Publisher

EDUCATION

Art Institute, Las Vegas, NV

Bachelor of Science Fashion and Retail Management Candidate, Feb 2014

EXPERIENCE

Louis Vuitton, Las Vegas, NV (2013)

Art Associate

·      Providing guests with a pleasant experience & detailed information on the art installation. Handling concierge duties & human resources projects to create structure for store management.

Hottie World Inc., Las Vegas, NV (2008-2012)

Assistant Creative Director (2011-2012)

·      Fashion styling for photo shoots, online promotions, and assisting in buying & merchandise management

Customer Service Representative (2010-2011)

·      Assisted customers with online shopping, addressed customer complaints to assure customer satisfaction, invoiced and packaged orders

Store Supervisor (2009-2010)

·      Hired and trained employees, visual merchandising, register transactions and management

Sales Associate (2008-2009)

·      Assisted customers with selection of apparel, cashier duties, mannequin displays

Week 7: Work Cooperatively With Others To Achieve A Common Goal

Having the ability to put Louis Vuitton on my resume is an amazing variable on it's own. Just the name & the recognition of the company is enough to work wonders. Beyond this I have definitely had the opportunity to expand my horizons not only in the world of Fashion Retail but also in fine arts. Most of my internship is spent working in a Ganzfeld by the Artist James Turrell titled "The Akhob". I was never really concentrated on the art industry until this came my way. The knowledge that has been given to me will definitely help me not only culture wise, but also when it comes to growing in my field. Artists & fashionistas have created a growing partnership throughout time because it is such a compatible relationship.

Louis Vuitton has partnered with countless artists in creating prints, trunks, designs, & etc. to showcase their talent. It has not only helped the artist share their work but Louis Vuitton as well to produce something that's unique & irreplaceable.

I have been given the opportunity to not only say i've worked for Louis Vuitton but also for James Turrell. I have been cultured when it comes to luxury brands & also when it comes to art.

They give us projects to work on during our down time that we can put on our resumes to show how we helped the company. They are certainly concerned with our future & dreams, they support it 100%.

Week 6: Explain Industry Codes, Ethics, & Laws

Interning at such a well known company is such a privilege. Louis Vuitton is known as one of if not the most famous luxury brands. Everything from body language, appearance, & productiveness is measured. We always have to be on our best & most proper behavior. We have to give guests an experience that exceeds their expectations. They are paying a huge price for a product that comes with superior customer service. From the time they walk in til the time they walk out, there cannot be any behavior less than perfect.

The thing i love about Louis Vuitton is the fact that they care about you & your future. They are very open when it comes to discussing growth opportunities, they definitely place you on the write path & even hold your hand. They are sincerely interested.

Part of being an intern/employee at Louis Vuitton is the ability to be innovative. They encourage & support creative projects that will not only showcase your skills but also help the company. With this, you receive full credit.

Our HR manager is also very involved with us.She has given us her information so that we can contact her at any time. She is very approachable but serious about her profession. She makes it clear what is expected of their employees & is also open to any ideas or questions.

We have a board in our break room that lets us express ourselves artistically. Whether it's an observation we've made at work or something that inspires us, we can share it with the rest of our team members.

There is definitely a lot of leniency behind the scenes to show their appreciation for us putting our best foot forward when we are "On Stage". The company's structure is unlike anything i've ever seen before & i am so very lucky to be a part of it.

Week 5: Evaluate Your Experience So Far

1.       How can your internship provide evidence of your “true value” to their company?
In the end i believe the true success of an intern will be determined if they are hired on to being a part of their permanent staff. This shows that their work ethic, creativity, & overall attitude was perceived to be valuable to the company.

2.       How can you obtain additional information regarding the company to become a better professional?
Nowadays everything is available online, besides from that i like to ask my mentors about their experiences about the company, if they have any books or alternate reading materials that will further my knowledge & help me grow more as an intern.

3.       What company responsibilities have you encountered, and want to encounter prior to departure.
It is to be a brand ambassador, whether on the clock or not, you have to represent the brand's image. You are the brand. For Louis Vuitton, they have a very specific "On-Stage look" that helps each employee look more professional & luxurious without taking away from the products offered at the store.

4.       Where do you see yourself going with this company?
If given the opportunity, I would like to work here after my internship. Louis Vuitton is a great company & they are well-structured. It would be a pleasure to work here inevitably & grow with the company itself. They seem very interested in our futures & are more than willing to help us succeed.

5.       Where do you see yourself going to work after your internship if you do not remain with the employer?
I absolutely cannot imagine myself anywhere else.

a.       Where would you look for job postings?  Please name websites or organizations that have career boards with job listings.
I've been using websites like Indeed.com & attending the school's job fairs. Our career services are also extremely helpful when it comes to what suits us as an individual.

b.      Create a  job posting for the position supported by the six elements of a job posting:
 Task functions and responsibilities, performance standards, job-related skills, scope and limits of authority, management expectations, relationships.

Seeking Art Associate for Louis Vuitton's AKHOB:

Must have knowledge & love for the art industry. Job tasks include assisting guests, informing them about the installation, booking reservations, writing thank-you-notes, participating on art outings & projects. Art associates are to help the art coordinator in creating a special experience for each guest.

c.       How might you go about completing an inquiry of interest, resume and cover letter?
First of all, I would research the company I am applying for to see what they are looking for in their employees. I would then complete my inquiry of interest, resume, & cover letter in such a manner that would relate to them, their goals, & company values.

d.      Research: Please be sure to research the company, projects, owners, mission and goals of the company prior to being interviewed.

e.      State five questions that you might be asked in the interview for this specific position.

1. What do you know about Louis Vuitton's relationship with art?
2. Who is your favorite artist & why?
3. What do you know about James Turrell?
4. What about art interests you the most?
5. Why would you like to work for Louis Vuitton specifically?

f.        Please remember to send a hand written and email thank you to HR and whoever interviewed you!  This is closing statement of who you are and your continued interest in the position. Write a thank you letter for the interview.

Dear Ms. Gifford,

Thank you so much for your time for the interview, I highly appreciate the opportunity given along with this. I very much enjoyed learning even more about Louis Vuitton & James Turrell's Akhob. If given the opportunity, It would be an honor to work for you as an art associate. The learning & growing within the company involved would be an absolute dream come true. I hope to be in contact with you soon. Once again, a thousand thanks! Have a wonderful day.

Sincerely,
Kriscia Calimbahin

Week 4: Professionalism on the Job

Professionalism is key when it comes to interning for Louis Vuitton. We must always be composed, polite, & proper. When it comes to physical appearance we are required to look neat with our hair sleeked back, natural make-up, light or nude colored nails, no flashy jewelry, & proper uniform. This assures a clean look & also it does not take away from the products of the company.

We must also use luxury language to appropriately deal with our clients. They are looking for an experience to match the company's feel & character & that is exactly what we must provide. Our responses must be careful yet sincere & delicate.

Punctuality is a great deal when it comes to professionalism. It indicates how much you value your position & the company you work for. It shows that you are responsible & are able to accommodate the basic regulations that are asked of you.

Even if we must be very careful with our language, body language, appearance, & professionalism; it is for our own good & will give us great practice for the future. We are actors & our job is to give our customers a great experience. Behind the scenes they provide a comfortable & family-like environment that i feel so very blessed to be a part of.

Week 3: My Creative Supervisor is Jessica Gifford

My creative supervisor is the Art Specialist for James Turrell's Akhob at Louis Vuitton, her name is Jessica. She grew up with a love for art & continued to pursue it in her college studies. Louis Vuitton noticed her incomparable drive & ambition & asked her to be the Art Specialist at this one of a kind art exhibit. Her job is to oversee all operations & offer guests detailed knowledge of the exhibit & the artist himself. I have only had three shifts but she already shared a significant amount of information with me to better my future. She is constantly enriching her own knowledge by watching the artist’s interviews and reading books.


I am able to witness how she interacts with guests & in that brief amount of time she tells James Turrell’s story & the history behind the exhibit they are about to enter. It is definitely inspiring to see her passion in her field. She is a great role model to follow. Although she is our mentor, she makes sure that she provides a comfortable environment, trains us at a generous pace, & gives us recognition for the things we accomplish. Her love for her job & the company shows without a doubt & I am hoping that I can also be an instrument of that as well.

Week 2 - My Industry & Current Job Responsibilities

I've always loved the fashion industry & all the glamour in it. I've been working retail since the day I was legal to work & I hope to grow in it for the rest of my years. I absolutely adore being a part of what make men & women feel unique, special, & beautiful. Specifically, I would like a position in the Fashion Retail Industry pertaining to travel. Whether it be writing for magazines, buying, or visual merchandising; I am willing to try it all.


I worked at a company called “Hottie” for about five years & I was able to experience the every job title available from sales associate, floor manager, visual merchandiser, stylist, social media representative, blogger, online store manager, invoicing & packaging, assisting in buying, & creative work. I definitely was blessed with experience & first-hand-learning.


The internship I have now is at Louis Vuitton at the Crystal’s City Center & so far I am in love. They are more concentrated on fashion relating to the arts & it is such an enriching experience. It is opening my eyes to whole new area of this industry & I know for a fact that I will learn so much. I am able to work inside of James Turrell’s Art Exhibit called the “Akhob” therefore I am experiencing art first-hand & also communicating & learning from the customers of Louis Vuitton.


My supervisor is the Art Specialist & she is extremely knowledgeable about both modern & classic art. Being able to learn about the industry I have chosen to be a part of in a completely different aspect is surely challenging but in the end will make me grow as a professional in this field. I am looking forward to be a part of this company & grow along with it.

 

Week 1: My Voice

Fashion isn't about what you wear & how much you've spent on it. It isn't about the designer bags or the limited edition shoes. I love fashion for the way it can change your mood & your outlook on yourself. It can bring you confidence to your interview or a bigger smile on that first date. Fashion can make all the difference on the way you feel & the feelings you bring to others. I want to be the girl that tells everyone that they can look good but not how to look good. I want to take away the standard of beauty & have each woman feel it in their own unique way. I want people of all classes to participate in fashion because they can afford it. I want to not only change the way the industry sees people but the way people see themselves. Whether it be in their clothes, shoes, or even accessories; I want to be able to offer my customers that extra dose of confidence. I will make sure that my business demonstrates how much I care about the people that choose to shop with me. I believe in beauty of every size, shape, & color. I believe in myself & everyone around me.