Testimonials

MARJORIE

Summer 2007 was a summer I will never forget. It was the summer I was introduced to office duties, business conversations over the phone with exhibitors, organizing staff supplies, and learning how to multi-task. I was first introduced to PROJECT and Sharifa Cudjoe through my best friend Tia. She had been telling every time wed hang out about this internship that she had, when finally I asked her if they had any openings for other interns. A week later she confirmed to me that they did! It was the best news I could've heard then because I desperately wanted something new and exciting to do with myself and my summer. Soon after a meeting was set up with Erin and me at the office and after the interview was completed I found out that I got the position, I would be starting a week later. Week one was a whirlwind for me, because it was a totally new experience for me not to mention that new things would pop up every day! This in turn would foreshadow the entire summer for me. This position as an intern was my first time in an office atmosphere, so I had to learn how to be conservative and polite. I can remember it like yesterday my first lesson at PROJECT was proper attire. On a really hot day I decided to wear these shorts which were short! I remember Erin coming up to me stating that I should not wear them again because the office had a policy regarding showing too much skin. This was very important because it taught me how important appearance is, and where some clothing are to be worn and some just aren't. As an intern Tia and I were working under Sharifa who was at the time Sales Director. Working under the Sales Director, has taught me patience, perseverance, consistency, punctuality, and most importantly mastery in multi-tasking. I say this because working with exhibitors who have high expectations and who think that you have powers beyond this world, and then making it happen is pretty intense! This is why I was very grateful to work with Sharifa because I got to really understand the power of pushing and believing in myself. I remember on some days when Sharifa would ask me to do something for her, and me wanting to say I cant, but I knew I really could, and then feeling really good about it after I was done, because I truly was capable of doing anything I wanted to do as long as I believed in myself. Working with Sharifa has shown me consistency and punctuality in that Sharifa was always at work and always early or extra early which pretty much means she was on time! This was good example for me because it showed me that if you have obligations or dedications to your career it is important to always be there and take care of your affairs. I remember taking mental notes of Sharifa's speaking skills on the phone and mimicking them, this enabled me to become more confident on the phone when exhibitors would call and I was the one giving the information. My first show was the best show that I have ever worked. I say this because I learned so much those three days and gained so much experience and understanding of what we were doing in the office. This in turn also helped me when we went back to work in the office. This was a really important summer in my life because it introduced to a great mentor, and some really important sustaining life skills, that I will always carry with me.

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TIA

I had just started working my new job at the GAP on 54th and 5th Avenue. It was a pretty ordinary day until a young lady and her adorable 3 year old daughter walked into the store. I was drawn to how cute the little girl was and immediately went over to say hello. As I was introducing myself, the mother and I began talking about clothes, fashion and school. She suggested that I meet with her best friend, Sharifa Cudjoe who is very well known in the fashion industry, for an internship. I was sooo excited, considering I am a fashion student and the fact that fashion is such a big part of my life, I could not wait to see what the internship would entail. The young lady suggested that I have dinner with Sharifa and herself later that week and try to work something out. So, I did just that! My mother came with me to the chic Italian restaurant where we all sat down to eat. Immediately, Sharifa and I hit it off. I was intrigued by the way she carried herself and her down-to-earth attitude and I knew she would be the perfect boss. At the end of our evening she offered me a chance to intern for her and without a doubt I jumped at the opportunity. I thought about all the things that I could learn from her and the hands on experience that I would gain, in turn I said “Yes!” The following day, I gave my two weeks notice to the GAP. When I first entered the office on 14th Street in the meat packing district I was overwhelmed when I saw its vintage yet modern metropolitan look. I knew this was where I wanted to be. As soon as I stepped in Johnny (Sharifa’s former assistant) put me to work and I respected him for that because he wanted me to learn on my own. That made me quick on my feet and much more attentive to the things around me. I grew up in Long Island most of my life so I guess you can say I have been sort of sheltered and it showed in my work because I would sometimes shy away from certain tasks that were asked of me. That was then, now I am a much more confident, savvy, sophisticated woman. Not only has my character grown in the work place but I feel I am a much better person overall. I know you may think that’s a little bazaar because it’s “just a job” but to me The BKLYN Intern is so much more than that. It’s a family of people who want you to learn and grow. It’s filled with people who want to help you and despite our hardships; we have a common goal as a team. I love it so much and I am so proud to be apart of this. I have learned so much and I have grown to respect the fashion world. I could not have done any of this if it was not for Sharifa and I am so Thankful.

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Malika Jonas

During the first two years of high school I realized my ultimate goal in life was to be in the fashion industry. At first I thought I knew all there was to know but little did I know the minimal information I gathered was only the beginning. Wanting to be apart of the ever-growing world of fashion shows, trade shows, and apparel market was what I was going to do but growing up in a middle/poor class neighborhood, seeing young teens with talent being wasted always made me think that was the way I would end up. Knowing that I had a loving family that instilled nothing but the best morals in me made me put myself ahead of the young teens and try to soar to new heights. That’s when Sharifa Cudjoe came into my life. It was midwinter going into spring 05’ when I was carrying out my normal Saturday routine at the hair salon. Seven thirty in the morning, a line was already forming in front of the salon when I spotted Sharifa out of the group holding a shopping bag for one of my favorite Apparel stores, ATRIUM. Being a well-known store amongst the SOHO shoppers I decided to make Sharifa a research project. As the salon opened and she took her seat, I went up to my aunt, Yasmine Cumberbatch, one of the main stylist and asked her who Sharifa was and what exactly does she do. Once I heard that she worked for the man who owned ATRIUM at his trade show company PROJECT, I knew this was a sign and to get a job anyway possible. After a brief meeting with her in the salon, I was then asked to come in for an interview. The interview went well and I will never forget my first day of work because that was the day I knew things would only get better. After working with Sharifa at Project as an intern we became more then just employer and employee, it was now mentor and protégé, I became her personal assistant with more responsibilities and grasped everything the fashion world had to offer. I was living the life many teenage girls interested in fashion may never get a chance to experience. Sharifa along with the remaining employees at Project introduced me to world of fashion beyond the naked eye. Fashion can be taken on from many aspects and one should never limit themselves to what they see in magazines or on television, and this was only the beginning for me. Along with a few other girls that Sharifa has taken under her wing, we’ve gone on various trips such as an outing to Washington D.C. to explore the White House. After our educational tour was over, we decided to do something we love and that was shop. We went to one of the most historical towns in D.C., Georgetown and we explored their take on fashion. With Sharifa’s constant guidance who knows what’s next for young teenagers of the world, under her wing there is no telling what she’ll have in store for us to see.

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Jeanelle

The Brooklyn Intern Program has made a great impact on my life and career, its creator; Sharifa Cudjoe was kind enough to meet with me without a clue to who I was. She knew I had a hunger to be successful, so she helped. From that day we have worked together, she recommended many different showrooms and people to work with but the one that stood out the most was working as an intern for a very well known wardrobe stylist, June Ambrose. She knew what I wanted to do and introduced me to the best of the best in the field. This is where I learned many of necessary skills to work in the fashion industry, especially the creative side of fashion. I learned to network, to build relationships, the hottest designers, showrooms and stylist. The Brooklyn Intern Organization does just that, Sharifa has taken what she does best, what she would do whether or not she got recognition for it or not and made it available to the larger mass , so that we can impact the life’s of students before they make the major decision of specific career path.

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Jennifer

Growing up, I was always obsessed with fashion. While many young girls my age were addicted to labels, I understood all different kinds of fashion. At the age of fifteen, I became a BKLYN Intern. Becoming a BKLYN Intern was the greatest thing that ever happened to me. At times, I questioned, was this real? I couldn't believe I would be able to learn so much about the fashion industry. This opportunity actually came to me by luck. As Sharifa's first assistant was heading off to college, I was getting ready for my interview as the new Personal Assistant for the Director of Sales of PROJECT Global Trade Show. Even though I was very young, I was also very motivated. I decided that I would go into this interview with confidence and prove that I was capable of doing this job. The day finally arrived to meet Sharifa for the first time. I was so nervous. As soon as I walked into the office, I felt at ease. The environment was so relaxing. After speaking with Sharifa and Retail Relations, Erin Olivan, I became more comfortable and opened up on my passion for fashion. By the end of the interview, I was told to come back next week to start training. I walked out of the office trying my best not to jump for joy. When I started working for Sharifa, there was so much I didn't know about fashion. She mentored me and taught me so much about her experiences and career. Growing up in the same neighborhood as me, she was determined to be the best. She had a love for fashion, so strong she ended up as a Director of Sales for one of the most well known trade shows. She motivated me to do my job better every day. This internship was the greatest thing that ever happened to me. So many opportunities were presented to me and my hard work was always acknowledged.