Meet Cady and Izzy, two high school students from Girls Inc. of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey. Cady and Izzy are part of Girls Inc.’s Eureka! Program, a five-year STEM based program for rising students that builds confidence and skills through hands-on opportunities in science, technology, engineering, math, and a focus on personal development and career readiness. Cady has been with Girls Inc. for five years, and Izzy for four. This summer they both had a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to intern at Free People, as part of the Girls Inc. Project Accelerate Career Readiness Program, where they got to apply their strong, smart, and bold Girls Inc. Experience. 

During their internships they learned how to work in their respective teams, gain experience in the fashion industry, and, most importantly, envision what their post-secondary paths could look like. 

Cady worked as a planning intern for tops. There, she evaluated past and current trends through analyzing data, calculated data for sales of tops, met planners and allocators for the tops department, and attended workshops with other interns. Izzy worked in the merchandising department and focused on shoes. She learned all about Free People’s website—SKU numbers, color codes, and more.  Her time at Free People taught her critical skills for her future, such as understanding how a business works. With this internship experience under her belt, Izzy will have a leg up as she prepares for life after high school.

These experiences often become a catalyst from which girls’ career aspirations grow. Because of her internship at Free People, Cady has decided to major in Business and Marketing, with aspirations to work in the retail fashion industry. 

We thank Free People & FP Movement for being our partner for over six years, and for creating opportunities for our girls that allow them to explore, learn, and grow.