Intern Diaries: Jose Criales-Unzueta
It’s by no simple coincidence that SCAD touts a 98% employment rate. An internship is something that will set any recent graduate aside, giving them a much better chance of employment upon graduation. It’s the difference between, “I’ve graduated and need to start looking for jobs,” and “I’m about to graduate and already have a job lined up for me.” It’s no wonder that a lot of SCAD alumni graduated with one, if not two or three internships behind their belts.
Paid or unpaid, in your hometown or hundreds of miles of way, when it comes to an internship it does matter how, when or where you’re doing it but what you get out of it, — the experiences — that is what will snag you a job post-grad, doing what you love at a company that speaks your language. This summer, SCAD District’s Intern Diaries will outline the various internships SCAD students are participating in across the U.S. and beyond. Stay tuned to find out the many benefits of gaining experience in your field before graduating.
Jose Criales-Unzueta is no stranger to high-end internships in the big apple. This summer he completed his second internship in New York City, with his first being last year with Kate Spade.
Close friends and fellow SCAD students Lottie Bertello, Chloe Ayoub and Patricia Almaral interned at Banana Republic whilst Criales-Unzueta was at Kate Spade. He decided to apply this year, and did so through the SCAD job portal, which led him to an interview with HR during an on campus recruitment visit at SCAD.
This fourth-year double fashion design and accessory design major from La Paz, Bolivia, was one of 16 interns working at the company, and his weekly schedule consisted of 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. days, Monday through Fridays. The company had him working on ongoing tasks, day-to-day assignments and an ongoing internship project, which each intern presents to the Banana Republic leaders at the very end of the program.
Again, it goes without saying that the big apple can but a big burden on your bank account but Criales-Unzueta made sure to plan ahead and save money throughout the school year.
Criales-Unzueta cited this internship as being closely linked to both his major and in line with his possible future endeavors.
“It [internship] is also in the menswear design team and I have been drawn to menswear design in me own work lately as well,” he said.
He also pointed out the level of professionalism and student empowerment at Banana Republic.
“I think that the most empowering moment is when you realize that you are actually taken seriously. Every internship always starts with small tasks like filing or organizing stuff and the most empowering moments always come after your supervisors realize that you can help with so many other things!”
“For me this happened after I started transferring some sketches info CADs for my team, they realized that I was better than they thought and faster in Illustrator so they started to give me more and more responsibilities.”
Although Criales-Unzueta does advise students to choose their internships carefully and consider their options and ask a lot of questions before accepting offers.
“Think of what compliments your resume and portfolio better and what opportunity can teach you about the industry you are in more. Don’t be afraid to ask about what tasks you will be required to do during the internship and evaluate whether or not you think you’d be useful and would be doing things that not only help the company but also teach you things that one learns only while being a part of the industry.”
He also advises students to apply, apply, apply!
“You never know what opportunities you will and will not get and it is better to have offers to decline than to have none to accept. Sometimes our dream companies don’t take summer interns or they don’t pay (both have happened to me) or you just simple don’t get the job so make sure you are not limiting yourself with any misconceptions of what you think a company does or what an internship at a company could be.”
To view Criales-Unzueta’s work, visit his website.
Most embarrassing moment: “When I got locked out of the main floors while on the stairwell because I forgot my badge on my desk! I had to text one of my supervisors to come open the door for me.”
Written by Asli Shebe.
Asli Shebe is a senior writing major from Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. She began working for District in 2014 as a staff writer, then copy editor, A&E editor, Chief Assignment editor and finally, Editor-in-Chief in 2017. Asli currently holds the record for obtaining the most job titles during her time at District. When she’s not writing for District you can find her biking around the Historic District of Savannah at odd hours of the day.
