Hello, my name is Kate Smith. I am currently a Junior majoring in Communication Studies and minoring in Integrated Educational Studies. This past semester, I had the privilege of being a Fashion and Marketing Intern at PDX Models, a modeling agency in Portland, Oregon. Throughout my internship, I have gained hands-on experience in the modeling and fashion industry, working closely with the agency director to support various aspects of talent management, marketing, social media, and client relations. This internship has been an excellent opportunity for me to develop skills in a real-world setting, learn from experienced professionals, and contribute to my own personal growth.

I had always hoped to get an internship in marketing, especially fashion, but I had always planned on pursuing it my senior year. One night, I decided to apply to a few internships on Handshake that caught my eye. The next day, I was pleased to receive a message from my current boss, stating that he would like to interview me as soon as possible since I happened to apply the last day the internship would be posted on Handshake. After multiple interviews and lots of studying, since he gave me a list of 30 terms in the industry to memorize, I got hired!

Report I created on a brand

One of my favorite parts of my internship was the structure. I told my boss at the beginning of the semester that I needed to complete 12 hours a week in order to receive 3 credits, and he made sure that was possible by working with me to create a weekly schedule that accommodated my class and work schedules. Each week, we received a question of the week to answer; the prompts ranged from my thoughts on the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show to my thoughts on whether or not our social media should get political. I appreciated the creative freedom that came with these prompts; although there were never any requirements, and the response could be a simple sentence, I usually found myself writing a page per prompt. I also attended weekly meetings with my boss to review my projects, go through new castings for the week, and discuss current events in the modeling industry.

TikTok project

Throughout the semester, I worked on various projects, some by myself and some with my fellow interns, who I was lucky to get to know and connect with during my time at PDX Models. Some projects included making itineraries for our talent while away on a shoot, creating casting call videos for our Instagram page, reviewing inquiries from brands, and determining whether they would benefit us. One of my favorite parts, which gave me invaluable experience, was sitting in on Interviews for possible new talent. I saw what agencies look for and helped determine who would be a good fit for our company based on various factors, including attitude, professionalism, and experience.

The School of Communication provided me with many skills and preparation for this role that I didn’t even realize until it began. I will never forget asking my SCC 329 professor, Matt Prince, for some last-minute advice the night before my interview. During the interview, I mentioned to my boss how one of my favorite parts of Chapman is the small class sizes that create personal bonds with professors. I also mentioned what I had asked Professor Prince the night before. Weeks later, my boss told me that set me apart from the other candidates.


Overall, I have learned a lot from this internship, not only about the fashion industry but also about public relations, marketing, and professional development skills that will help me so much in the future. One of the most valuable lessons I gained was the opportunity to observe and participate in the hiring process from the agency’s perspective. Sitting in on interviews for potential new talent gave me a firsthand look at what hiring managers look for and what leads to rejection. I am incredibly fortunate to have had this opportunity early in my career. Before going into this internship, I was unsure what industry I wanted to work in, but this experience has ignited a passion for the fashion and marketing industries. I’m confident in the skills and experiences I’ve gained and know they will help me achieve my career goals.