Growth Journeys: From Interns to Full-Time

Internships

Early Career Journeys: From Interns to Full-Time Associates

Each summer, we welcome a new cohort of interns who bring unique perspectives and innovative ideas to our teams—across Technology and Supply Chain to Finance, Design, Merchandising and beyond. Our Internship Program offers collegiate-level juniors and seniors the opportunity to explore the fashion industry while developing skills and behaviors critical to starting a successful career.

Interns spend 10 weeks over the summer stretching their creativity, collaborating with passionate people, and making a real impact.

We've connected with some former interns to share insights into their internship experience. Each intern's journey is unique, and we're excited to share the stories of those who have successfully transitioned into full-time positions at one of our brands.

Continue reading to discover more about their current careers and advice for future interns.

The following conversation features:

Bria H., Merchandising Intern, 4 years into her LOFT career
Kennedi S., Merchandising Intern, nearly 2 years into her Talbots career
Mary Ashley A., Design Intern, 2 years into her Soma career

What did you study in college and where?

Bria: Fashion Design and Merchandising at Albright College followed by a Master of Science in Retail Merchandising at Drexel University.

Kennedi: I majored in Fashion Merchandising at Kent State University.

Mary Ashley: Apparel Design and Production Management at Auburn University.

What did you value most about your internship experience?

Bria: During my internship, I gained the most value from working on our assigned intern project. It not only gave me insight into how collaboratively everyone works day by day but also helped me work on my public speaking skills as we had to present our final project to senior leadership.

Kennedi: One of the most valuable parts of my internship was the opportunity to shadow and collaborate across multiple departments. I spent time with Merchandising, Visual Merchandising, and Planning & Allocation, which gave me a well-rounded understanding of how each team contributes to bringing product to life. I also had a phenomenal manager who was deeply invested in my growth and encouraged me to explore beyond the structured rotation.

Mary Ashley: I especially gained value from the real-world experience that helped clarify my career goals. My internship gave me insight into how corporate design teams operate, from concept development to production. Being part of the process deepened my understanding of the industry and helped me discover which areas of fashion design I’m passionate about.

After the internship you were offered a full - time position. What team and brand are you part of?

Bria: I currently work at LOFT as an Assistant Merchant.

Kennedi: I'm an Associate Merchant for Talbots Outlet.

Mary Ashley: I'm an Assistant Designer with Soma.

Tell us about your role now.

Bria: I am currently the Assistant Merchant of sweaters for LOFT. Every day in merchandising can look different, but some of my responsibilities include helping assort the line for each season, maintaining line sheets, assisting with purchase orders, ensuring fabric commitments are released on time, maintaining assortments in our assortment tool, and presenting in weekly business meetings. I also work closely with site, marketing, and visual teams.

Kennedi: I’m an Assistant Merchant on the outlet team, which I absolutely love. Buying and merchandising combine some of my favorite things and the skills I use most. I get to be creative while also leaning into analytics, data, and problem solving.

Mary Ashley: In my role, I help support and own the design process for our Lingerie and Soma's Sexiest collections. I work across the design process, from researching trends and developing concepts to creating designs and helping bring them to life. This role has allowed me to build on both my technical and creative skills while gaining a deeper understanding of product development.

What do you love about your current role?

Bria: What I love about my current role is how much room there is for growth and development. My manager and team are extremely committed to pouring into my growth and it makes me happy to be able to be trusted with new responsibilities. As an associate who started their journey in stores, it has been amazing to be on the merchandising team and see the product I’ve helped with be represented in the stores. It has been a full-circle moment, and I am grateful to be able to make an impact on a brand that I truly love.

Kennedi: What I love most about my role as an Assistant Merchant is being involved in the product journey from start to finish. There’s something incredibly rewarding about seeing an item I helped bring to life make its way to our stores and into our customers’ closets. Collaborating with cross-functional teams throughout the process has shown me how much thought and care goes into every decision—and it’s why I can confidently say I’m working my dream job.

Mary Ashley: What I love most about my current role is how collaborative and creative it is. I get to work closely with talented team members, share ideas, and help bring concepts to life. Every project challenges me to think outside the box, experiment with my skills, and stay inspired through the constantly evolving fashion trends.

What's one reason you love working at your brand?

Bria: One of the reasons I love working at LOFT is the culture of the brand. Everyone I work with is extremely kind and helpful. I enjoy coming into work because of the environment that has been cultivated by our leadership.

Kennedi: One of the reasons I love working at Talbots is the culture. From day one as an intern, I felt welcomed, appreciated, and truly seen by every team I interacted with. That sense of belonging continued as I transitioned into other roles and eventually returned full-time. I feel incredibly fortunate to be part of a company where kindness, collaboration, and support are part of the everyday experience—and I never take that for granted.

Mary Ashley: One of the reasons I love working at Soma is how deeply I connect with its message. It resonates with me on a personal level and reminds me every day why I’m passionate about what I do. Being part of something that celebrates women and lifts them up fills me with pride and purpose – it makes the work feel bigger than just the garments.

What's your advice for future interns?

Bria: Remember that networking is everything. You will probably hear that from many people, but that’s because it’s so true. If you receive the opportunity to earn an internship, make sure you’re asking questions, introducing yourself to various associates, and making your presence known, because you never know if your first impression could help you land a dream role.

Kennedi: Be curious, be present, and be intentional. This is your time to explore—not just the role, but who you are and what excites you professionally. Ask questions, take initiative, and reflect on what brings you joy. Be present in every moment, especially in a hybrid or remote environment—small gestures like saying hello in the hallway can go a long way. And most importantly, be intentional. The way you show up, interact, and contribute matters. Treat every experience as a step toward building the career you want.

Mary Ashley: Fully immerse yourself in the internship. Ask questions, show genuine interest in learning, and be proactive about your growth. Build connections with the teams and don’t wait for opportunities to come to you – go after them. Most importantly, if you’re interested in a full-time role, be clear with your recruiter and leaders. Don’t leave them guessing – communicate your goals directly.

Internship applications typically open in early January. Check back for future opportunities!