Summer in the City

-content by Sam Whitaker-

A summer in New York City will both intimidate and excite any college student looking to build a career in business. For the last month I have been living in Manhattan working as a private brand product development intern with the Macy’s Merchandising Group. Upon starting with the company, I was assigned to the team that produces shoes, belts, and wallets for some of Macy’s finest private brands, including Alfani, Club Room, and Bar III. My daily routine consists of an analysis of sales, vendor meetings and market research for new opportunities. The company has even taken us to their New Jersey studio for a tour of the warehouse that creates and houses the floats and balloons for the famous Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. I have thoroughly enjoyed my experience thus far, and look forward to growing with the company throughout the rest of the internship.

Coming from a small town in Upstate New York, I have to say that I expected the adjustment of living in New York City to be more difficult than its been. Although I’ve had a bit of experience moving between, living in and navigating new cities (with a little help from a semester abroad in Madrid and my internship last summer in Boston), life in Manhattan is slightly different. Among my favorite changes is the ease of getting around quickly. I have a new found appreciation for walking, and the convenience of being a 15-minute walk from the office allows for a tight and consistent schedule. Walking has also given me the chance to find some of my favorite spots in the city, including parks and some awesome little hole-in-the-wall restaurants.

Speaking of restaurants, the food in New York is beyond anything you could ever imagine. Craving pizza? How about the best slice you’ve ever eaten in your life for $1. The bagels are out of this world, and for those daring enough to try it (myself included), the street vendors offer great gyros for an even better price.

Everyday is a new and exciting adventure in the city that never sleeps. While some people may think New York is dirty and expensive, I have found it to be one of the fastest-paced and most exciting cities I have ever had the pleasure of living and working in.