My time in Sweden has continued to get better and better. This past Friday was Midsommar, a holiday that is largely celebrated here in Sweden. I got the day off work, and traveled to the island of Sandhamn with some of my friends from the program. Safe to say, it was definitely an authentic experience. We got the opportunity to dance around the maypole, and had some Swedish locals show us their traditional dances. My roommate and I spent most of our day with the Swedish locals, and even got invited to their family dinner. That was a very cool experience I wasn’t expecting. We stayed on the island until the next ferry in the morning, so we got the chance to explore the island’s woods and beaches. We were very tired, but ultimately had the best first Midsommar experience. My roommate and I then spent Sunday exploring the town, because we haven’t had much time to do so. We attended Mass at the Cathedral of Stockholm, which was a unique and eye-opening experience.

Jumping into my internship, things have been going smoothly. I feel I have done a good job at managing all the new tasks that have been sent my way.

My internship tasks vary based on what we have planned for that week. Everyday can look different, so it is important to stay organized and flexible. Most of the time I am working on articles and fashion editorials to be posted on our online magazine. Other tasks include attending events, assisting in photoshoots, location scouting, and doing pick-up and drop-offs. Because I have so many different responsibilities, being able to manage my time is crucial. 

So far, I feel I have done a good job at managing my time and staying on top of the endless tasks. We constantly have content that needs to be pushed out, so there is always a task that can be prepared. We use a project management tool called Trello which allows me to be on top of task due dates. This really helps me know what stories to prioritize. Having a clear view of upcoming deadlines helps me prioritize my work and ensures that important tasks are completed on time. It also allows me to plan ahead when I know larger projects will require more time and attention. 

At the beginning of each workday, I start by checking the assistant email and organizing my tasks into my folder. This helps me know what tasks I need to complete, and separates me from the other interns. If I have completed all my tasks for the day, this allows me to see what I can get ahead on. I then check Trello to see what big articles have upcoming due dates.This helps me identify which projects are most urgent and what content needs to be published that day or sometime in the following week.

I will usually start with an opiate and a news or culture article. Opiates are small, shorter articles that introduce new products, collections, or launches from fashion and lifestyle brands. Our goal is to publish three opiates each day, so I find that preparing one or two in the morning helps me be set up for the day. If there is another kind of article, like news or culinary, I will also work to get one of those up. These are usually smaller articles or interviews. Completing these smaller articles early in the day helps maintain a steady flow of content for the magazine and allows me to focus on larger projects later.

Once the shorter articles are completed, I move on to larger assignments. These projects are often fashion editorials, which require significantly more time and attention. Fashion editorials involve organizing images, writing descriptions, formatting content, and ensuring that everything matches the magazine’s style and standards. Because these projects are more detailed, they can take several hours to complete. I have learned that it is important to break larger projects into smaller steps rather than trying to finish everything at once. This approach helps me stay productive and prevents me from feeling overwhelmed.

Once the smaller articles are completed and ready to be published, I will begin to work on one of the big articles. These are typically fashion articles or editorials that originally appeared in our print magazine and need to be adapted for our online publication. These articles can be time consuming, so I usually dedicate a large part of my day to completing them. I also try to finish them one or two days before they are scheduled so my boss has time to review and approve the content.

This internship has also taught me how to adjust my tasks and priorities when unexpected tasks arise. For example, there are days where I need to do a last minute pick-up for a photoshoot, attend an event, or assist with a project/shoot. These tasks can interrupt my usual work routine, so I have learned to reassess my priorities and determine what needs immediate attention. Being able to adapt while still meeting deadlines has been an important skill to develop in a fast-paced industry like fashion media. Staying organized and on top of my tasks has helped me be prepared for these unexpected responsibilities while still meeting deadlines and completing my assigned projects on time. With only two full weeks completed, I can already see this internship will help me understand time management and how to work under pressure. I believe this internship will be very fulfilling for not only my professional growth, but also my personal growth.