As we all know 2020 hasn’t been the year we all expected. When I decided to take a placement year as part of my course, it was definitely a different and more challenging start to what I expected. There was doubt in my head as to whether I should scrap the placement year and go straight ahead with my final year at University. However, would this have made things better or worse for myself? I decided to go ahead with the year in industry as with the way the world is in currently it seemed like a year out to possibly gain experience in the fashion industry but also some time to earn some money and enhance my skills would be beneficial. In my head I also thought this would give the world time to get back to normal before I go back to university for the all-important final year. But here I am today in 2021 with more doubt in my head.  Taking a year to work in the fashion industry has been the best decision I could have made, of course, there has been set- backs and difficulties regarding COVID and there still is but I wasn’t expecting any less. Being a designer in the current situation we are in, doesn’t mean we have to stop and stand still. There is still so much out there to be explored and so much opportunity just waiting for us to find it. This is the time that could possibly define us as designers, do we sink or swim?  We are innovators and problem solvers, if anybody can figure a way to work through this and come out on top its us.  Going back to September 2020, the official start of my year in industry, prior to COVID I had so many exciting expectations of what this year would be. Going to work in London or abroad for major fashion brands (of course my head would always think of the most amazing possibility) I am definitely a dreamer for sure. I was slightly set back when my naive self was bombarded with rejection after rejection. Here I am thinking it would be easy, that opportunities would just be there waiting for me, because surely, it can’t be that difficult to get a job/internship in the fashion industry can it? Well, if that idea is in your head too, bin it. It is not easy, but then nothing worthwhile is ever easy.  I decided that looking on job sites for random internships wasn’t getting me anywhere, yes, I had a few come back with interviews, but didn’t go much further. With these opportunities also being in London or Manchester unpaid for 6-12 months, it was also in the back of my head that this just wouldn’t be financially viable for me to do.  I decided to start reaching out to local brands in Cardiff, because why travel to London during a pandemic to do unpaid work, when I could get the same experience here in Cardiff with local fashion brands. All it takes is a bit of networking and digging! Social media, especially Linkedin and Instagram is your friend here. If I have learnt anything from these past few months it’s the importance of showing what you can do, don’t be afraid to post your work, connect with like-minded creatives and put yourself out there.  That is when I found multiple fashion brands at The Sustainable Studio here in Cardiff that would welcome me as an intern. This opportunity also led me to find Llen Studio but alsp the confidence boost to contact people, reach out, the worst they could say is no, you already don’t have the job anyway? And that is what I did with Llen Studio.  What I’m trying to say is, don’t give up at the first sign of rejection. The fashion industry is tough but there is plenty of room for us all.  COVID may have made things a lot more difficult for all creatives but it also gives us a chance to do the things we never have time to. Practice skills we always brush off, improve and better ourselves. I’ve had people in the industry tell me that Fashion is struggling, and I should think of a plan B. Maybe this was a test to see what I would do, I don’t know. But my first thought was no chance! Why would I give up something I am passionate about just because of a virus?  Being a Fashion Design Intern during the COVID-19 pandemic has been and still is a challenge, but it is a challenge that I refuse to let set me back. I am ready more than ever for my final year of University.  Beth  X