Background:
I graduated from Columbia University in 2012 with a degree in Earth and Environmental Engineering and minor in Economics. During my time in college I had the opportunity to intern at many fashion companies.
Why did you decide to pursue an internship at a Scandinavian corporation?
I decided to pursue an internship with a Scandinavian corporation because 1) the corporation was H&M, and 2) Not many people from U.S. colleges get the opportunity to work in Sweden.
What were the biggest challenges doing an internship in Sweden?
Swedish people are extremely punctual, thus do not arrive late for anything!
What were the biggest challenges with doing an internship at H&M?
There is a lot to learn because H&M has very specific operation procedures for every function, but there is very good support in terms of learning them.
What did you learn from your summer internship?
I engaged in the very organized and quantitative approach to fashion retail that H&M employs, and obtained ample hands-on experience in working with the tools and methods of operation involved, for example producing sales summaries and rough buying plans using analytical tools H&M developed. I also experienced first-hand the H&M culture, which I believe is integral to the company’s success.
What will you remember the most?
I will remember most my great boss/mentor, without whom I couldn’t have learned so much. I will also remember when H&M brought in about a hundred strawberry cream cakes, lined up on the long table in the center of the cafeteria, during the last day of work before the mid-summer weekend.
What advice would you give to other people who are interested in an internship with H&M?
Be passionate about the work, besides producing results your enthusiasm will be noted by everyone.
What has GatewayScandinavia done for you, and are you satisfied with their services?
They have provided great guidance and support in making sure we are well taken care of before our arrival in Sweden and during our time there, everything from personally ensuring the successful obtainment of our work visas to inviting us to their homes over the weekend for breathtaking beach getaways (Swedish beaches are amazing). Without GatewayScandinavia it would have realistically been impossible to experience Sweden as a resident working at one of the most respected retailers in the world.
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