The pink carpet isn't just for models anymore. Honestly, if you’re a college student obsessed with brand building, the Victoria's Secret PINK internship is basically the "it" gig of the corporate retail world. But here’s the thing: most people think it’s just about picking out leggings or hanging out at photo shoots. It’s not. It’s a high-stakes, data-driven environment where the "pink" aesthetic meets some of the most aggressive business strategies in the fashion industry.
You’ve probably seen the TikToks. The aesthetic office tours. The free swag. But if you want to land a spot at their Columbus, Ohio headquarters or the New York City design hub, you need to look past the glitter.
Victoria’s Secret & Co. underwent a massive corporate spin-off from L Brands a few years ago. This changed everything. The culture shifted. The "PINK" brand specifically started leaning hard into inclusivity and mental health awareness. If you’re applying today, you’re walking into a company that is actively trying to redefine what "sexy" and "comfortable" mean for Gen Z. It’s a fascinating time to be there, but the competition is brutal.
What Does a Victoria's Secret PINK Internship Actually Look Like?
Forget the movies. You aren’t just getting coffee. The program, often referred to internally as the Summer Internship Program, typically runs for 10 to 12 weeks. It’s a paid gig. That’s a big deal because, in fashion, "exposure" used to be the currency. Not here. You’re an employee.
Expect to be thrown into a specific vertical. You might be in Merchandising, where you’re literally analyzing why a specific shade of "Strawberry Chill" sold out in three days while the "Dusty Rose" sat on the shelves. Or maybe you’re in Marketing, helping manage the Campus Rep program—which is basically the lifeblood of PINK’s connection to universities across the country.
One day you’re in a spreadsheet. The next, you’re in a fit session.
The "Final Project" is the ghost that haunts every intern. Usually, you’re paired with a group of other interns from different departments—design, finance, digital—to solve a real business problem. At the end of the summer, you present this to senior leadership. Yes, the C-suite. It’s intimidating as heck, but it’s also the fastest way to get a full-time offer.
The Different Flavors of PINK Internships
It’s not a one-size-fits-all situation. Depending on your major, you’ll end up in a very different world.
- Design & Creative: This is NYC-based usually. You’re working on mood boards, color theory, and technical sketches. You need a killer portfolio. If you can't use Adobe Illustrator in your sleep, don't even bother.
- Merchandising & Planning: This is the "brain" of the operation. It’s for the math nerds who love clothes. You’re looking at inventory turnover and gross margin.
- Marketing & Social Media: You’re likely helping with the "PINK With Purpose" initiatives. This is where the brand’s community outreach happens.
- Supply Chain & Logistics: The unsung heroes. How do those bras get from the factory to a mall in Nebraska? You’ll find out.
The Application Process: How to Not Get Filtered Out
Look, the "Apply" button on the Victoria's Secret & Co. careers page is a black hole if you don't know what you're doing. They get thousands of resumes. Thousands.
First, timing is everything. They usually start posting for summer roles in the previous fall—think late September through November. If you’re looking in March, you’re probably too late.
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Your resume needs to be clean. No "cute" fonts. No photos. The Applicant Tracking System (ATS) will spit those out. Use keywords like "trend forecasting," "cross-functional collaboration," and "consumer insights." But don't just buzzword-stuff it. They can tell.
The Interview Gauntlet
If you make it past the initial screen, you’ll likely face a HireVue interview. It’s that awkward thing where you record yourself answering questions to a webcam. It feels robotic, but it’s their way of seeing your "energy." Since PINK is a high-energy brand, you can't be a wallflower here. Talk about your passion for the business, not just the products.
Then comes the "Super Day" or the final rounds. This is usually a series of back-to-back interviews with managers. They’ll ask behavioral questions. "Tell me about a time you disagreed with a teammate." "How did you handle a project that was failing?" Be honest. They value "raw talent" and "growth mindset" over someone pretending to be perfect.
The Columbus Factor vs. The New York Vibe
Most people don’t realize that the heart of the Victoria's Secret PINK internship is actually in Reynoldsburg, Ohio (right outside Columbus). This is the global headquarters. It’s a massive campus.
The Columbus vibe is very "corporate-cool." It’s friendly, collaborative, and surprisingly fast-paced. Plus, the cost of living is way lower than Manhattan. If you’re an intern there, the company often helps with housing or provides a stipend, which is a lifesaver.
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New York is where the high-fashion design and high-level PR happen. It’s more "Devil Wears Prada" but with more fleece hoodies. It’s intense. You’ll be navigating the Garment District and seeing the gritty side of fashion production. Both locations offer a totally different experience, so choose your fighter based on what kind of career you want.
Why PINK is Different Post-2021
We have to talk about the "rebrand." Victoria’s Secret had a rough few years. They faced criticism for being exclusionary. The Victoria's Secret PINK internship now reflects a company in the middle of a massive pivot.
As an intern, you’re not just a cog in a machine; you’re often asked for your opinion because you are the target demographic. They want to know what you think about their TikTok strategy. They want to know if the new "Gender Neutral" collection actually resonates with your friends.
This gives interns a weird amount of influence. You aren't just watching; you're contributing to a brand's survival strategy in a post-mall world.
Real Talk: The Pros and Cons
The Good:
- The networking is insane. You’ll meet people who have worked at Nike, Abercrombie, and Ralph Lauren.
- The discount. Seriously, the employee discount is legendary.
- The "Intern 101" sessions where executives sit down and tell you how they climbed the ladder.
The Not-So-Good:
- It’s exhausting. The 40-hour work week often turns into 50 if a big launch is coming up.
- The pressure. If you’re in a "Final Project" group that isn't clicking, it’s stressful.
- The retail industry is volatile. You might fall in love with a team only to see a reorganization happen a month later.
Making the Most of the Experience
If you get in, don't just sit at your desk.
"Coffee chats" are the secret currency of the internship. Ask a Director in a different department for 15 minutes of their time. Most will say yes. Ask them what they wish they knew at 21. This is how you get a job after graduation. People hire people they like, but they really hire people who show initiative.
Also, learn the tech. If you’re in the business side, master Excel. If you’re in design, get better at 3D rendering (like Clo3D). The more technical skills you have, the harder it is for them to let you go at the end of August.
Actionable Steps to Land the Role
If you’re serious about this, here is your checklist. No fluff.
- Fix Your LinkedIn: Follow Victoria's Secret & Co. and the specific PINK page. Connect with current Campus Reps. They often have the inside scoop on when applications go live.
- The "Pink" Aesthetic with Substance: If you’re a designer, your portfolio shouldn't just be pretty. Show the process. Show the research. Show the "why."
- Research the ESG Report: Go to the Victoria’s Secret & Co. investor relations page. Read their latest Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) report. If you mention their sustainability goals or their "VS Collective" initiative in an interview, you will immediately stand out from 99% of other applicants.
- Practice Your Pitch: Be able to explain in 30 seconds why you want to work for a brand that is currently reinventing itself. "I love your clothes" is a losing answer. "I want to help PINK navigate the intersection of comfort-first fashion and digital community building" is a winning one.
- Check the "Campus" Page: They have a specific section for university relations. Bookmark it. Check it every Tuesday and Thursday starting in September.
The Victoria's Secret PINK internship isn't just a resume builder; it's a crash course in how a multi-billion dollar brand stays relevant when the world is changing. It's fast, it's loud, and it's definitely pink. But more than anything, it's a legitimate business education wrapped in a very famous logo.
Prepare for the "Super Day" by researching the current CEO of PINK, Blair Boyle, and understanding her vision for the brand's growth. Focus on their "un-retouched" marketing shifts and be ready to discuss how you would improve their loyalty program, VS & PINK Rewards. Success in this application process requires a blend of creative flair and hard analytical data—don't neglect one for the other.