WORLD'S LEADING INTERNSHIP PROGRAM

Dreamer Spotlight: Bonnie Chow

We’d like to introduce you to one of our newest alumni. Bonnie Chow is a participant in NY Session 2 this summer. Look for many more stories about new alumni in the coming months!

Bonnie Chow pulled off a gutsy feat this summer.

"We have had hundreds of interns, and you are the only one who did this," the founder and CEO of Buckler fashion gushed. "If you ever need a recommendation, call me. I will tell anyone to hire you on the spot."

As Bonnie reiterated the words of Andrew Buckler, she reflected on her feelings after their unique meeting. "I felt like I was walking on clouds," she said.

Two weeks into her internship at Buckler fashion, Bonnie emailed Andrew and invited him out to talk. "I took a personable approach to the email," she said. "I mentioned that I’ve noticed how he interacts with his [office] team. I stated how much I admired him and wanted to know what it’s like to be in his shoes."

Bonnie’s tactic was inspired by Charlie Caudill, the first seminar speaker. Charlie suggested that interns email their company’s executive and ask for help, telling the executive that you are inspired and want to pick his or her brain. Charlie’s concrete, practical advice worked. "I was nervous, but at the same time I knew I had nothing to lose," she said. "Andrew emailed me back and said, 'Let’s do something Friday after work.'"

Andrew took Bonnie to the SoHo House, an upscale restaurant in the meatpacking district. "I was so excited and couldn’t believe he was willing to do that," she said.

Bonnie and Andrew chatted for two hours. "It was a lot of fun. I pretty much started interviewing him right on the spot!" she said. "I was asking him so many questions, he had to stop me and ask me about myself."

Bonnie asked him questions that ranged from how he became interested in fashion, where he went to school, and who influenced him to pursue his dream. She also asked him how he made it to the top of his field and advice for the path she should take.

"I never thought he would actually give me all this information. Our office is often hectic, so I thought he would brush it aside or be too busy," she said.

As it turned out, "I had to end the conversation!" Bonnie said.

Andrew told Bonnie he was very impressed she had the courage to initiate contact. "I want to make an impression to get my foot in the door," she said. "But my main goal is to figure out what it’s like to be him."

Andrew stressed the importance of carrying out your responsibilities and owning up to your mistakes. "I felt like I was becoming a bigger part of the team," Bonnie said.

The CEO also encouraged Bonnie to stick with her major, graphic design, because she will have more opportunities than someone with a fashion degree. "A lot of fashion design is technical rather than creative," she said. "He told me take a risk and be different."

Ultimately, Bonnie will turn her enthusiasm for fashion into a career. "You should really do what you want to do, because you only have one life to live," she said.

Bonnie, a senior graphic design major, attends Towson University. A native of Clinton, Maryland, she is the daughter of Lisa and Chi-Pong Chow.