The American Apparel & Footwear Association offers competitive internship opportunities in our Government Relations Department.  The department is interested in trade, legislative and regulatory matters at national and international levels, while directing lobbying and advocacy responses for matters affecting the apparel and footwear industries.  AAFA seeks to offer substantive experiences for our interns through projects and valuable experiences.  Interns will have the opportunity to attend meetings, forums, and other events in Washington, D.C., while meeting top officials in the political arena.   

To apply for an internship, email your resume and cover letter to Rebecca Mond.

Past Intern Testimonials

My summer internship with the American Apparel and Footwear Association opened my eyes to the fast paced and ever-changing nature of the international fashion industry.   Although my internship was technically labeled an “office job,” to define it as such, is quite the misnomer. My daily activities found me running around D.C. to various meetings, trade forums, and events. Lunching with congressmen or prominent politicians twice my age soon became the norm, while taking a trip down to Capitol Hill became second nature. In fact, even meeting President Bush at a national association of manufacturing meeting seemed like a standard “day at work.”
At the end of my three month internship I learned more about congress, free trade, and international affairs than any text book or college professor could have taught me. I gained a newfound respect for Microsoft outlook, and an obsession for Women’s Wear Daily. All in all, my summer at AAFA was one that I will never forget and one that I will continually draw upon for experience and knowledge in any arena I decide to pursue. - Meryl

Spending the summer interning for the American Apparel and Footwear Association gave me a newfound appreciation for the role government plays in the fashion industry. Prior to my position as a summer intern I saw the U.S. Government and the world of fashion as polar opposites.  Little did I know that these two seemingly dissimilar facets were so closely related, or for those in the textile business—intricately woven.

I was amazed at how soon I was thrown into the “real world” of Washington politics.  In the first few weeks I had already attended a Congressional hearing, a CATO seminar, and various trade forums. However I must say that the most eye-opening experience came when I was asked to join AAFA and some of our member companies to lobby on the Hill.  We spent the day rushing back and forth from the Senate and House side pressing politicians on the importance of initiatives that would advance the competitiveness of both the apparel and footwear industries.

The in office work proved just as rewarding.  Researching trade statistics allowed me to comprehend the issues our country faces, such as outsourcing and market access, thus giving me a broader understanding of the global economy.   The entire AAFA staff was welcoming and helpful.  The friendly office environment made it so I was never hesitant to ask questions nor intimidated to speak my mind.

Though I am still unsure of what career I intend to pursue, the knowledge and experience I gained here at the American Apparel and Footwear Association carries a greater value than any government class or retail job.  Thank you AAFA for providing me with a behind the scenes look at the way government can impact the fashion business and beyond! - Mary

Being and intern for the American Apparel and Footwear Association (AAFA) has given me an in-depth experience regarding the political side of the fashion industry. This internship has broadened my scope and knowledge regarding the government’s activities and its effects upon the apparel and footwear industry. After completing this internship, I have gained insightful experience in both office and lobby work.

It was never a dull moment, from attending meetings to watching AAFA members lobby in different Congressional member’s offices, I have met many different people within the fashion industry and political field. I have acquired office techniques that will help me in the future, from updating excel charts, writing articles for the weekly newsletter, scheduling appointments with Congress members, and updating/compiling a new Federal Regulations Guide, I always had something to keep me occupied.

What made this internship unique were the members of the office. Everyone was very friendly and willing to answer any questions I had, from dealing with the office equipment to clarifying specific issues regarding a political topic. I have learned so much during this summer internship, and I know that I will remember this wonderful opportunity and experience. - Anna

My internship at American Apparel & Footwear Association was by far the most rewarding internship I have ever had. It was by no means a typical office job. New projects and events were constantly coming up so there were never many dull moments. When I wasn’t in the office, I was either running around capital hill or attending various meetings downtown on a variety of issues. The meetings around DC were on everything from cap and trade to product safety issues. For the most part I could pick and choose meeting to attend based on my interests. We attended lobbying days, where we would go and meet with members of the hill, giving us the chance to better understand the inner workings of the political system. I even had the opportunity to go to a few lunch fundraisers for members of the Senate, where I could network and meet people from many different companies.
Everyone at the AAFA was so great about including the interns on what they were doing, allowing us to gain knowledge on a vast array of topics and really taking the time to explain things to us that we didn’t understand. During those few months I learned so much and couldn’t be more thankful to everyone at AAFA for the wonderful experience.- Alexandra

My experience at American Apparel and Footwear Association (AAFA) has been a wonderful and fulfilling experience. I was very hands on with the various projects going on in the office and I really felt like part of the team rather then just an intern. The most exciting part of the internship for me was being on the hill lobbying for the H.R. 3934 the Affordable Footwear Act. I've read and heard about lobbying but I have never been a part of it and so it was an exciting experience. My favorite part of the entire internship was the environment of the AAFA office. Everyone there is friendly and made me feel very welcome and again part of their working team. I hope that in the future I work in a place that harvests the same type of environment. - Sandra