This summer the TEEN VOGUE interns have been asked to interview a few people in different areas of the magazine, so you, our lovely readers, have a chance to learn more about the hardworking TEEN VOGUE staff and what we do.

Week 1: Alison Schajer, Executive Director, Event Marketing

Yes, I'm Alison's intern, but the real reason I chose her is because she is the amazing force behind our signature Fashion University event. She has a really cool job that many of you probably don't know about - but should!

So after organizing the Haute Spot binder, sending some packages, and fielding your Facebook questions on the TVFU page, I sat down with Alison for the story:

When did you start at TEEN VOGUE and what was your initial position?
I started in July 2008 as the Special Events Director, and for the first 3 months my primary focus was Fashion University. I had never seen a program like this one. It was amazing to see the enthusiasm of the students, as well as the designers who took such pride in helping shape the career and education of aspiring fashion students.

If you could go back to your first day in that job, what advice or "secret to success" would you tell yourself?
During the first few months, taking on a program like Fashion U was kind of like putting together a jigsaw puzzle. A lot of the designers were already signed on, many of the sponsors had already committed and it was up to me to put all of the pieces together to improve upon something I had never seen. Knowing what I know now, it would have been better to scout out the history of the program ahead of time. You always think you'll have more time than you do, and last minute changes ALWAYS surface. But I would mostly advise not to underestimate the enthusiasm of the students: I was blown away by the amount of communication from both the students and their parents before, during and after the event. I could have employed a whole team just to manage that.

Where did you go to school, what did you major in, and how has it helped you in your career thus far?
I went to Cornell University, and I was premed! So, NO, I had no practical experience for anything that I was going to do. I decided in my senior year, after I'd taken all the prerequisites and taken the MCATs, not to go to med school. I took a year off and started working towards an MFA in Creative Writing.

During that year, I realized I didn't have enough experience in the working world to figure out what I wanted to do - so unlike today, and everyone who comes through Fashion U - and I felt that I needed some sort of office experience in order to get my foot in the door. I put together a résumé, made an appointment with a headhunter, and was able to get an entry level job at an advertising agency, managing a post-production video department. While I was there I made a lot of contacts in the publishing industry—all of whom seemed really creative and love their jobs. I was able to get an interview for a sales assistant at a magazine, and luckily I got the position. Three months into it, I put myself up for a junior marketing position, and convinced them they had to promote me. It was in events. It was amazing and exciting, and pretty early on, I realized I had been event planning in some capacity all my life. I was my prom chairperson in high school, I planned my sorority formals in college, I was planning bridal showers and friend's celebrations; it just came really naturally.

How college helped me is by teaching me that I could handle any obstacle, and multiple obstacles thrown in my path. I don't get sidetracked by challenges, I get energized.

Well I think that answers one of my other questions... how did you get into the field, and why? Did you see yourself going into magazines?
No, I didn't see myself in magazines...and if I did, it was definitely on the writing side. To find myself in marketing was a surprise but a total fit. It just goes to show you the variety of positions and skills needed to work in fashion and in publishing.

What do you feel has been your greatest achievement?
It's kind of a toss up... Fashion U is such an amazing program; the level of interest by students is matched only by the designers who participate. Since I've been here we've had Vera Wang, Anna Wintour, Diane von Furstenberg, Jason Wu, on and on, and they're truly amazing to listen to. They're so genuinely excited to give back to the next generation of designers and industry insiders.

And then there's our pop-up store, the Haute Spot, which we've now completed six seasons of, and it's been both exhausting and exhilarating to launch a retail extension of the TEEN VOGUE brand. I've learned things about retail space, construction, sales tax, staff training and so much more, I never thought I'd have been able to do. But it's been so satisfying.

Have you had a biggest challenge?
Yes, many challenges... not all of them so public as par for the course in events, but when your highlighted speaker falls and breaks her jaw 12 hours before your program is supposed to go on, and you have 500 students who traveled from around the world and they're expecting something inspiring... you could call that a challenge.

For those of you who were in the class of 2010, you may remember this incident: author and motivational speaker Rachel Simmons fell just hours before her scheduled presentation on Sunday. In the space of the accident and the speech, Alison was able to arrange for Stacey McKenzie (supermodel and participant in the model Q&A panel to follow) to speak in Simmons's stead. Stacey was a delight and Alison is clearly a very adept events person: able to roll with the punches and solve problems on the fly!

Also, negotiating temporary space leases with shopping malls, something hopefully none of you will ever have to experience.

What is the story behind Fashion U? You came into the program, but how was it created and how has it grown?
Like you said, the program predates me, but was born out of need to work off of the DNA of the magazine and bring it to life in a forum that is a natural extension of pages of the magazine. Education is SO important to the editors, and our readers, and career is one of the pillars of the brand. This program does something that no other program does—it allows up close and personal access to some of the most successful people in the industry to hear their personal advice on how to break in and make your mark.

We continue to grow as we continue to sign on the highest caliber of speakers, accept the most talented of students, and we feel we really help open doors for these students and provide introductions into the world of fashion.

What about Haute Spot? How did that come about?
Haute Spot was created as a solution to the... challenges of a recession economy where retail spending was being significantly downsized. The purpose was to create an inviting, interactive environment where young women can collaborate on fashion & beauty ideas, try new products, while discovering the best trends of the season. More than a store, it's a destination and an experience where attendees can meet with editors, see the latest trends, participate in model castings, see live music, meet new brands, purchase exclusive products and just hang out. We are even testing our own licensed sales like TEEN VOGUE bedding. The store has reached over 150,000 consumers in the six seasons we've been open. Our readers travel hours and hours to come see us weekend after weekend!

Where do you look for inspiration or how do you come up with ideas to expand the TEEN VOGUE brand?
Inspiration can be found almost anywhere: our staff is very current with the new technologies, new trends, the new fashion icons, and we all work very closely together to make sure we bring our consumers and our readers fresh ideas and fresh experiences. We also love our interns for also bringing us fresh ideas!


What advice would you give to girls who are looking to enter marketing and/or events? In magazines, or otherwise.
My advice would be to try everything. Even if you think you know what you want to do, studying and observing it is very different from doing it. If you're offered an opportunity that isn't necessarily what you want to do, try it, because learning what you don't like to do is just as important as learning what you do like. And don't be afraid to get your hands dirty!


As a student who attended Fashion U. two years in a row, Alison has done an incredible job, as I'm sure my fellow graduates would agree. Clearly her path was not the most direct to this end (I do love that she was premed, I see a trend here at TEEN VOGUE... à la Eva Chen) but she's right in that it seems a very natural fit for her.

So if you're the one who rallies everyone together, who knows her way around a social planner, and is always planning fabulous soirées (big or small) perhaps you should consider event marketing as a career option. (Coincidentally, I am the party planner amongst my friends).

Keep checking back here for more interviews, news, and intern adventures!

Week 5:Jane Keltner de Valle, Senior Fashion News Director
Week 4: Sabine Feldmann, Vice President & Publisher
Week 3: Victoria Lewis, Assistant to the Editor-in-Chief
Week 2: Paula Fortgang, Director of International Fashion
Week 1: Alison Schajer, Executive Director, Event Marketing