Welcome to INTERN COLLECTIVE

Intern Collective (I/C) is a members-only internship community for the next generation of industry influencers. Want to connect with equally ambitious, career-focused students? Seeking mentorship to help build your future? This community is for you.

Did you know that the majority of jobs — between 70 and 80 percent — are not secured via job sites, rather through networking and internal referrals ? This is what makes interning so important, it's how you begin building your network.

Choosing the right internship is one thing — but landing it is quite another. Securing the right internship is a crucial key to landing the job that will launch your career.

So...how do you actually get those internships? 

Join Intern Collective and you'll receive guidance and support while you map out and navigate your career path as a student so you’ll have an easier time landing employment after graduation. It’s never too soon to start working towards your future. And at just $9.99 a month -- let's be real, that's less than avocado toast or two latte's at Starbucks -- and no longterm commitment, what do you have to lose? 

Here's a sneak peek video of what our community looks like when accessed from our app:

...and from your laptop or desktop computer:

I know what it’s like to feel far away from your dream career. Like you don’t have the support you need from someone who understands the industry you want a career in. A mentor, a community that just gets it. 

It’s frustrating not hearing back after sending application after application, and not knowing why you can’t get past the first interview, or not even get any interviews at all! Having no one to turn to for advice when the internship you scored isn’t what you thought it’d be. Or most importantly, what on earth to do with the contacts you've already made, and how do you turn your internship experience into a real job?

I've been in your shoes. In 2004, I was a sophomore at UCSD -- not exactly the fashion capital of the world. As a biology major with no connections to the industry, I had no clue as to how to break into the fashion industry. I found an opportunity on Craigslist to work with a local jewelry designer, and volunteered to do anything that would get my foot in the door of the fashion industry.

Leveraging that opportunity, with sheer willpower and action, I scored one fashion internship after the next. I discovered that all the major surf and skate brands are based in Orange County, so twice a week I commuted an hour and a half to OC, to intern at brands like Volcom and RVCA to get more experience. It wasn't perfect, but it was valuable and relevant experience.

I found my confidence, and applied to internships in NYC. Long story short, I now have 12 years of experience (plus 4 years interning) in fashion PR, marketing, and celebrity relations. I've worked with some of the top fashion and accessory brands in New York, Paris, London, and Milan. 

So. What are YOU going to do to make your dreams come true? Invest in your future and join I/C so I can help guide you along the way. At $9.99 a month, with no longterm commitment required, what do you have to lose?

As a member of Intern Collective’s community, I want you to get immediate value and support. That’s why I’m aiming to offer you five simple things:

• Exclusive content and conversations you can’t find anywhere else. Everything is curated by me, Carla Isabel Carstens (more about me here), with the goal of helping those interning in, or trying to get their first job in, creative and lifestyle industries such as fashion, beauty, lifestyle, entertainment, and media. 

• Meet and connect with equally ambitious interns who are going through similar experiences as you - the highs, the lows and the in-betweens! Your intern network is extremely valuable. I still keep in touch with my fellow interns from 12+ years ago, but now they’re senior editors at top fashion magazines, celebrity stylists, and own their own fashion PR firms!

• Make better, more well-informed decisions during and in-between your internship experiences, ranging from what to write on your resume, how to prep for an interview, or how to deal with a negative experience during your internship. I post exclusive content on a weekly basis, moderate posts, and host bi-weekly virtual Mentorship sessions to answer your specific questions, as well as offering mini-courses on topics such as how to create your own internship when you don’t live in NYC or LA, and creating an exit strategy for your internship to make sure you leave with not only experience, but with a network and solid reference.

• Swap stories, experiences, ideas, and share knowledge around our communal goal of lifting each other up and instilling confidence. You’ll get the scoop from other helpful knowledge resources, as well as access to curated internship opportunities we’ve discovered.

• …and most importantly, a little inspiration, motivation, and expert perspective each and every day.

Membership is just $9.99 a month, and you can cancel at any time should you not feel satisfied and supported, no questions asked.  

Commit to a year membership for $99.99, and you'll not only save $19, but receive a complimentary 30 minute one-on-one session with me as well -- an additional $65 value! My track record speaks to my ability to help students land fashion internships that will set them on the path to success. I've helped dozens of students secure their first internship or job in the fashion industry.

I'll let Julia, a client of mine who is a recent college graduate, do the talking:

I can’t thank you enough for regenerating my confidence as I entered post-grad. I was so discouraged prior to our meeting as I was watching my friends receive several job offers and I couldn’t even snag an initial interview. I knew I was the right fit for so many of the positions I was applying for, but my resume wasn’t just translating it. That is, until you came in and reworked my experience.

I honestly feel like I landed my dream job and I did so from a non-fashion school, outside of New York...It was because of the resume you helped me craft that I got my foot in the door, and I really don’t know if I would have gotten that initial interview if it wasn’t for your help!

Thank you for everything you do!

All of the materials I shared with Julia will be available to you should you decide to join Intern Collective.

Hesthy V. took a course of mine, a $25 value which is included in your membership, and shared the below with me:

I spent months applying to internships and barely received interviews, or even a follow-up. This on-demand course, having the fashion internships all on one site and the ease of applying made a huge impact on my search for a fashion internship.

After finishing the course and applying to 6 internships, I received 5 interviews! I was able to intern at OW! Public Relations & Events for 3 weeks during NYFW. We worked with Maybelline, a major sponsor for NYFW, which gave me the chance to work backstage at the Cushnie, Jonathan Simkhai, Rebecca Minkoff, & Alice and Olivia fashion shows. I was able to attend all the shows, which I would have never imagined happening.

I am about to start my second internship with CR Fashion Book.

I have nothing but positive experiences with this course and the companies that I have come in contact with through FreeFashionInternships.com.

Carla is a sweetheart, and always takes the time to answer any questions I have. I really wish I had found this course and before my senior year!

Kyra B. had a similar experience:

Carla has been such a great tool for me to not only jump start, but to sustain and broaden my knowledge on fashion internships. With her help, I was able to tweak my resume into a version that is tailored (pun intended!) to the industry and job I hope to obtain following graduation. I was able to secure interviews from companies like Zac Posen, Christian Siriano, Adam Selman, Prabal Gurung, Zero + Maria Cornejo, Monse, Collina Strada and Kelsey Randall using her advice and website! 

Her advice really prepared me for all of my phone interviews. I recently received internship offers from Zac Posen, Prabal Gurung and Adam Selman. I’m looking forward to implementing her advice on how to make the most of my internship! 

It’s also great to watch Carla during her Q&A marathons being completely candid about our questions. I have been recommending this platform to friends and will continue to do so! 

I hope you consider joining Intern Collective!