<#FashionIsPolitical> Unpopular Opinion: Sometimes, you have to work for free
Okay, so, before I get started in on this #ClickBaitAF title, I’d like to preface that I know being able to work for free is a huge privilege. Not everyone can do this, and I don’t think it’s always right or fair.
Unpaid internships frequently lead to lawsuits, and I’d argue that they’re almost 100% bad business.
But sometimes, you gotta work it.
Sometimes, especially in the creative industry, you want to do something DESPERATELY, but you have zero experience. Sometimes, you just need to get certain keywords on your resume, so you figure out a way to work for free.
Below, I share my thoughts/tips on how I’ve had to hustle for free — but I did it with very specific end goals in mind.
Fashion Blogging
In the summer of 2014, I was getting more and more interested in pursuing a career in fashion, but I hadn’t fully admitted it to myself. I realized I needed to start somewhere, and a pretty good place to start would be fashion blogging. I would do it for free, for the experience, and I knew I could do it around my other commitments.
I started blogging for The Curvy Fashionista, where I began to interact with plus-size influencers and designers. Having this in my portfolio helped me pitch myself to get paid work as a freelancer for fashion companies, and I still use the links to my posts to land gigs. Marie (the founder) really did me a solid favor by letting some overeager 20-something, who popped into her email uninvited, blog on her industry-leading platform. ❤
Social Media Management
When I was 19, I decided to crown myself a “Social Media Manager,” but I didn’t really have any experience doing that. I started introducing myself as a “SMM” at parties, and eventually landed a few clients (who are no longer in business #awkward) who paid me pennies, to manage their social media channels. I knew I just needed to get that shit onto my resume, and I would make it happen however it needed to.
Fashion Show Management/Experience
One of my mentors, Sophie St. Claire, did me a HUGE favor by calling her good friends at Utah Fashion Week, and getting me an internship. I made it clear that I’d do whatever they needed (setting up chairs, herding models, etc) and it turned into an awesome unpaid experience.
So, how do you decide whether to do something for free?
1. Is it flexible? Can you do other work around that unpaid internship?
2. Are you gaining skills you can’t get elsewhere?
In some industries, you just can’t get a paying job til you “pay your dues” (This is shitty and unfair. But in order to change an industry, you usually have to be a leader in it).
3. Is the person you’re working for respected in the industry?
Sometimes, you’ll do #FreeWork for a reference, but this is worth jack shit if your boss doesn’t have a good reputation. Do some online creeping to make sure it’ll be worth it.
I’m faced with this conundrum a lot —where my personal politics or principles seem to clash directly with The Way the World Works. All I know is, that when certain designers offer me a place in their studio, it’ll be for peanuts. Because I don’t know shit.
See you soon, NYC. ❤
Have you worked for free? What was your experience? What advice do you have for folks finding themselves in this situation? Send your thoughts to me on twitter, or in the comments!
