This week, we caught up with world traveler and accomplished fashion mogul, Morgan Braucher! She has just returned from interning for Carolina Herrera this summer after studying abroad in Florence this past Spring.
Her Campus: What is your major/minor?
Morgan Braucher: I’m a senior fashion merchandising major with a marketing minor.
HC: You’ve had a pretty glamorous year, both in Florence and NYC, is there anything you missed about Ohio while gone?
MB: Absolutely, I really missed how friendly people are here. People actually wave and say thank you, which I didn’t realize I would miss until nobody did it. I also missed driving oddly enough. I did enjoy my commutes on the Long Island train, and all of the convenient (but dirty) public transportation in Europe and New York, though.
HC: So what exactly did you do this summer at your internship?
MB: I had the amazing opportunity to intern for Carolina Herrera’s headquarters in the garment district. I worked one-on-one with their visual merchandiser. This included arranging the stock and organizing floor sets at their store in the upper East side on Madison Ave. I also did a lot of marketing research for competitor, excel sheets, etc., which doesn’t sound extremely exciting, but it was all so interesting!
HC: What was the best part about thast experience?
MB: Probably just getting to talk to all of the clients and getting to learn from so many inspiring, accomplished people. I also learned a lot about the business aspect of fashion in addition to the visual side.
HC: So what was overall the most glamorous aspect of your job?
MB: I got to go to Saks Fifth Avenue, organize Carolina Herrera’s section at the store and work with their brand ambassador to design her section of the store. Rearranging the mannequins etc. I also got to work with Carolina Herrera’s head buyer, who was in charge of purchasing for all locations as well as the director of sales. Just getting to shadow them and see what they did was such an unreal and incredible experience.
HC: So what was your New York commute like?
MB: Well, I lived with my boyfriend’s family in Long Island, so I had to take the 7 a.m. train into the city which took about an hour but it was actually relaxing. I would read every day on the commute.
HC: What was a typical week like for you in New York?
MB: I’d commute into the city every week day, work 9 A.M to 6 P.M, and then hang out at the beach on the weekends. Some days I’d go in earlier when I was supposed to go to Bergdorf’s or Saks. I hung out in the city a few times, but I spent most of my free time on the Island because at 6 p.m. when I’d get out, I’d just want to get home.
HC: What do you miss most about NY?
MB: The pizza, the train, the shopping and the fast pace. It is nice being back in Kent with all of my friends, but the environment in NYC was so exciting it’s hard to not miss being in the city. Which is why I intend to go back there after graduation!
HC: What about Florence?
MB: Florence I just miss the wine and all of the art and the birds! All of my roommates know I was weirdly obsessed with the pigeons. I actually miss all of the cafes and family-owned businesses. It’s just chains in Ohio I feel so I miss all of those cute little places. I also miss paying for things in coins. Also, all of the food was so fresh, especially the produce.
HC: What advice would you give students looking for internships?
MB: Just put yourself out there. I almost didn’t even send in my resume, because I thought it was so farfetched and that I’d never have a chance, but I’m so glad I took the chance because it was so worthwhile and valuable. It sounds cliche, but seriously just don’t be afraid to try. Seriously just believe in yourself, and go after it or you’ll never know what you could’ve accomplished!
HC: What’s the most valuable thing you learned in NY?
MB: Probably the advice I received from all the buyers and professionals I met. I learned that you have to be willing to branch out more, and not hesitate to try new things professionally. You have to find the right balance of happiness and climbing the ladder. You’re probably not going to find what you love right away but you’ll eventually figure it out.
HC: Was it harder to make the move/adjust to NY from Florence, Ohio to Florence or NY to Ohio?
MB: The transition of people from NY back to Ohio was actually the hardest, just because of the diffference in lifestyles. The urban, fast-paced atmosphere of New York is almost more similar to Europe than Ohio. Returning back to Kent, where it’s very laid back and slow-paced, it’s comparable to the culture shock that I had going from Ohio to Florence. Not to mention, I really do miss New York: I had the beach, the city, vineyards which, although I love Kent, we obviously don’t have any of that but It’s still good to be back!
Follow Morgan’s current and future adventures on social media:
Instagram: @just_morg
Twitter: @Captain_Morgss !