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Probably the most prominent message I picked up on over the weekend was that you don’t have to rush into this industry. “Take advantage of the fact that you are still a kid, that you have free time, and go and live your life,” Andrew Bevan said. “Be inspired by being a kid. You will one day graduate college and you will one day be in an office. There’s so much pressure on internships as if it’s your only chance to make things happen, and it’s not.”

Yes, there’s a lot of pressure to intern in the fashion industry. But you don’t need to intern before you are ready. Take a moment to stop and spend time just being a college student or enjoying high school. The fashion industry and your career will always be there, but your childhood won’t.

In the end, I think the clear message was to find something in the industry that you are passionate about, and work towards it. But you shouldn’t let it consume you. Be professional and hardworking, and inevitably you will find success.