During my hybrid internship under SUNY Oneonta Alumni Tyler Walsh at a local business called Stoneonta, I was allowed the opportunity to learn the inner workings of the screen printing process in a small retail business setting. I gained experience planning and executing photoshoots, managing the sales floor, and assisting in the creative process of designing new merchandise while working both remotely from home and in-store.
Final Project Outcome
This photo showcases a template I created during my time at Stoneonta to highlight items on sale and promote merchandise on the company’s Instagram account.
What I did
My tasks while working in-store often included assisting customers, managing merchandise on the sales floor, and creating visual merchandising displays. I also learned the screen-printing process and often managed the store alone. Working remotely, I assisted in creating new designs, researching merchandise and social media trends, planning photoshoots, and creating social media content for the brand.
What I learned
Throughout my time interning at Stoneonta, I developed an understanding of how a small retail business operates both online and in-store, managing a physical retail space and online orders. I learned the processes of screen printing and how products are actually made. Additionally, I learned how to cater to a specific target market in both the design and promotion of merchandise. Overall, this experience strengthened both my creative and organizational skills and gave me a better understanding of the day-to-day processes of a small business.
What’s next for me
Since completing this experience, I plan to build on these skills by completing additional internships and adding to my experience in the industry. I also plan on taking my next year of school at the Fashion Institute of Technology, completing an associate’s degree in Advertising and Marketing Communications. I will graduate in May of 2027 with a Bachelor’s degree from SUNY Oneonta and an Associate’s degree from FIT. After my graduation, I plan to enter the industry as a buyer and begin my professional career.
