It is the time of year where Fashionistas/os are figuring what internship they are going to choose for the summer. Whether you are offered your dream internship, or an internship for a small yet to be discovered company, remember that each opportunity can teach you and lead you somewhere great. Luckily for Bari Elexa Sherman, this Fashionista landed her dream internship with Empire Entertainment to learn the ins and outs of event planning.
Name: Bari Elexa Sherman
Role: Intern; Empire Entertainment
CollegeFashionista: As an intern at Empire Entertainment, what are you enjoying most about this experience?
Bari Elexa Sherman: Empire Entertainment holds the opportunity for me to learn all of the ins and outs of planning and producing large-scale events. I work with an amazing team of producers who are eager to teach me everything there is to know about planning an event so that I can jump right in and get involved. My favorite part of the internship is getting the chance to work on-site at events and experience all different aspects of the pre-production roles to post-production roles, and of course seeing the events we spend months planning finally come to life!
CF: When did you decide that event planning was the right career path for you?
BES: I have always loved planning all sorts of things, whether it be my daily routine, a night out with friends or a holiday dinner with the family. While at the Fashion Institute of Technology, I realized it was an actual career path that I could study and pursue, and I haven’t looked back since. Since my first day on the job with Empire, I knew this was what I was meant to do for the rest of my life.
CF: As an inspiring event planner, how would you describe the influence fashion has on each event you plan?
BES: My favorite part about planning and producing an event is the styling and decor side. Fashion is one of the biggest influences on current trends, specifically with colors and fabrics, which is so important in the events industry. When styling events, you always want to keep up with the current trends and really set the mood for the theme of the event.
CF: What advice would you give to someone looking to intern in the event planning field?
BES: Event planning is one of the best industries to get involved in and can truly be inspiring on a day-to-day basis. Be ready to work hard and work fast, listen closely while learning and write everything down! Learn and research what’s current in pop culture and what upcoming trends are about to explode. Observe everything happening around you and learn from everyone willing to teach. Lastly, remember to breathe when the event ends.
Learn More: Stay updated on the events Bari is working on by checking out her website, barielexa.com.
