I’m looking for a job in fashion editorial, it can hardly be said I’ve taken the easy route. What girl doesn’t want to work for Vogue. But since I’m far from well connected, and during a recession? I have to be mental. After graduating this June from Sussex with a 2:1 in Philosophy and English, I have nevertheless been trying to carve out the beginnings of my longed-for career in fashion.

I find it hard to believe the help and lucky breaks I’ve had through WEXO; at times I’ve had to pinch myself. I first spotted them on a Google ad and followed the link, but when I realised it was £10 to apply, I have to admit I was put off. I talked about all the amazing opportunities on there with my boyfriend and he said it was definitely worth it. I knew there’s no way I could get to those high profile companies otherwise – they must get hundreds of phone calls. This would be a great way of getting noticed.

So I did, and it’s like having a well connected uncle in just about every industry. I even met the boys working at WEXO (nice guys) and they pointed out to me a placement with women’s lifestyle website, Toptips.com. Although it wasn’t directly fashion related, it was Editorial experience and would look great on my CV. Plus, I just hate being out of work – I would much rather be out there learning new things and making connections than waiting for replies to applications that never come.

I was working under the Founding Editor of the website, Kate Reardon, who also, just so happens to be the Contributing Editor of Vanity Fair. On my first day I was obviously nervous, but she was lovely, even taking me out for lunch. I went on to realise that the ‘Christa’ who shared the office with us was none other than Christa D’Souza, one of my personal heroes and Contributing Editor of Vogue! Only a few months ago I actually cried when my boyfriend’s mum recycled the Vogue ‘Body Special’ with a fantastic article by Christa as the centre piece. It was such a help to talk to them both about my career and learn a million exciting things about theirs.

But my best work experience experience so far has to be one morning when Christa had popped out and I was editing the site for Kate. Christa called to say she’d forgotten her notes for a speech she was giving and asked if I would mind jumping in a cab and bringing them to her at Louis Vuitton. I didn’t need to think about it, I was out of my seat and in the cab before I hung up the phone. I ended up helping her work on the speech that afternoon with none other than Kim Hersov, Editor-at-Large of Harpers Bazaar! I was mixing with Louis Vuitton’s top buyers while Vuitton-clad models milled around – around me, a scruffy little intern (with a big grin). My worst work experience experience? Cleaning a dirty wall. The life of an intern is full of ups and downs!

Ruth Gibbs