The annual summer influx of interns has descended upon the city, each one chasing a dream fueled by ambition and filtered through the curated lens of social media. While platforms like Instagram and TikTok offer glimpses into business casual attire and the “it” restaurants, the reality for many is far more nuanced , a blend of financial constraints, shared living spaces (sometimes with family), and the relentless hustle to make a New York dream a tangible reality.
The young professionals profiled here, immersed in internships ranging from finance and marketing to law and social justice, are experiencing the city in its rawest form. After long days navigating the complexities of their chosen fields, many find themselves unwinding with streaming shows like “Love Island USA,” a far cry from the glamorous after-work lifestyle often portrayed online.
- The Finance Intern: Balancing market research with aspirations of pilates and sought-after pancakes.
- The Fashion Major: Immersed in the world of beauty brands, navigating an unpaid internship with academic credit.
- The Legal Intern: Recovering from a rescinded internship offer, now focused on the intricacies of the Queens County District Attorney’s office.
- The Museum Enthusiast: Sharing his passion for the natural world at the American Museum of Natural History.
- The Marketing Maven: Capturing the energy of NYC’s vibrant party scene.
- The Crypto Coder: A data science devotee drawn to the world of cryptocurrency exchange.
- The Creative Assistant: Juggling two jobs and a long-distance relationship while embracing the city’s “hustle.”
- The Social Justice Advocate: Dedicated to prison reform and determined to navigate the “real world” independently.
The Finance Intern Hitting Pilates and Waiting for Pancakes
Mya La’Pierre, 20
Permira intern, $31/hour
For Mya La’Pierre, a finance major at Howard University interning at Permira Advisers, networking is paramount. “Your network is your net’s worth , that’s something that everyone talks about at Howard,” she explains. Coffee meetings and Sweetgreen lunches provide opportunities to glean career advice from full-time employees. When not at work, she explores the city, from waiting in line for pancakes at Golden Diner to taking the ferry to Brooklyn Bridge Park. Her only regret? Attempting a run through crowded Times Square. Despite aspirations for after-work golf outings with fellow interns, she usually ends the day exhausted, relaxing with an episode of “Love Island.”
The Fashion Major Loving Her Time in the Beauty Closet
Harper Evers, 22
Foundation intern, unpaid
Harper Evers, a fashion merchandising graduate from Mississippi State University, commutes from Greenwich, Conn., to intern at Foundation, a beauty-focused communications firm. Her days are spent researching influencers and cataloging the vast array of products in the “beauty closet.” While the internship is unpaid, it provides academic credit and covers some travel expenses. “It marked a turning point,” she says, solidifying her decision to pursue a graduate program at the Fashion Institute of Technology. She acknowledges the financial support of her mother and grandmother, who help make her New York experience possible, as plans with other interns have yet to materialise.
The Legal Intern Who Scrambled After DOGE Cuts
Anuva Wardah, 20
Queens County District Attorney intern, unpaid but receiving $16.50/hour and a $1,000 stipend through grants
Anuva Wardah’s summer took an unexpected turn when her prestigious U.S. Foreign Service internship was rescinded due to federal hiring freezes. “I felt defeated,” she admits. Overcoming Barriers, she scrambled to find a replacement, ultimately securing an internship in the Queens County District Attorney’s office. The internship, unlike her original plan, is unpaid and lacks housing support, leading her to live with her parents in Queens. Despite the “claustrophobic yet wholesome” arrangement, she focuses on her work, summarizing cases involving parking infractions and petit larceny, surprised by her colleagues’ lack of lunch breaks.
The Native New Yorker Armed With Animal Trivia
Tiago Uddin, 18
American Museum of Natural History intern, $2,500 monthly stipend
Tiago Uddin, a native New Yorker and student at Hunter College, spends his days at the American Museum of Natural History, answering visitor questions and sharing his passion for the natural world. From Spinosaurus inquiries to navigating the museum’s vast halls, Tiago embraces his role as an ambassador for science and education. Living with his parents in Howard Beach, Queens, he navigates the city’s public transportation system with ease, fueled by a pre-work Dunkin’ stop.
The Marketing Intern Being Paid to Party
Jolie Chen, 23
Furtado Global intern, $20/hour
Jolie Chen, a recent NYU graduate with a degree in music business, is interning with Furtado Global, capturing the energy of Club 1BD parties for social media. Her role involves filming dancers and partygoers, creating viral content that showcases the unique atmosphere of these events. While Jolie is also a musician, she faces uncertainty about her artistic path. “I’m always really hard on myself,” she confesses, noting her parents’ limited understanding of her creative pursuits. Facing visa limitations, she’s determined to “level up” her marketing skills.
The Crypto Workaholic Too ‘Nerdy’ for the Club
Anish Goel, 21
Uniswap intern
Anish Goel, a rising senior at Caltech, is a data science intern at Uniswap, a cryptocurrency exchange. His passion for research, evident since his early teens, has led him to the world of start-ups. Anish finds it hard to step away from his work. “I could easily do this 24 hours a day,” he admits. Still, he has managed to explore the Met, among other sites. Before his internship concludes, Anish hopes to visit the Brooklyn Bridge and take a boat tour. However, New York’s nightlife holds little appeal. “I’m not really going to bars or clubs. I guess I’m too nerdy for that,” he jokes.
The Assistant Balancing Two Gigs and a Boyfriend in Texas
John Riley Schultz, 21
Neely Creative intern, unpaid
John Riley Schultz, an advertising major at the University of Texas at Austin, is embracing his New York City internship at Neely Creative, a production company. Despite the internship being unpaid, he’s captivated by the city’s energy. “I love the hustle of the city,” he says. “I’ve always been drawn to that culture.” To make ends meet, John also works remotely for a real estate firm in Austin and relies on savings and family support to cover his rent. The prints and a “Lafufu” doll he bought in chinatown personalise the apartment.
The Social Justice Intern Living With Her Boyfriend
Anayeli Torres, 20
The Remedy Project intern, $6,000 stipend from college
Anayeli Torres, a Barnard College student interning at The Remedy Project, is passionate about prison reform. Her work involves helping incarcerated individuals file complaints about human rights violations. The internship is unpaid, but a $6,000 stipend from Barnard helps cover expenses. To save on rent, Anayeli stays with her boyfriend in New Jersey, enduring an hour-long commute. Determined to prove her independence, she embraced the challenge of navigating the “real world” on her own, a commitment she made to herself and her parents when she chose to attend school in New York. This Summer marks a turning point in her self confidence.