Maggie Schoonmaker won the Clinique Fresh Faces competition to earn a summer internship with the company in New York City. (Courtesy/Maggie Schoonmaker)
Last fall the Clinique Fresh Faces Tour found its way to the CU campus, as it traveled the country searching for this year’s Fresh Faces contestants. Nearly 1,400 girls applied from Boston University to the University of Southern California for the coveted internship position.
Only a few weeks ago, Schoonmaker was named the Fresh Faces winner and will be joining the Clinique team for their 10-week summer internship program. The internship includes a one-week experiential opportunity at Teen Vogue in New York City.
Taking a break from her busy schedule, Schoonmaker sat down with the CU Independent to discuss her experiences, her passion for beauty and fashion, and her secret to success.
CU Independent: Tell us a little bit about your application process.
Maggie Schoonmaker: After applying in the fall, 25 girls were chosen for the second round where the public could vote for their favorite girl online. While voting wasn’t the deciding factor, it was fun to get my friends and family involved, and got everybody excited and made it feel like more of a community. After the voting, 5 finalists were picked and they flew us out to New York for an in-person interview and photo shoot.
CUI: How was the interview?
Schoonmaker: At first it was nerve wracking and overwhelming, but I love interviewing so the moment I sat down I felt comfortable. They were all so welcoming and comforting, they just wanted to get to know who I was and what I am all about.
CUI: Now that you have gotten the internship, can you tell us a little bit more about it?
Schoonmaker: The internship is really whatever I want to make it. I have chosen to take the Public Relations route through Clinique. I will be working with their North American and global PR. I will also be working with the creative services and advertising side, which includes everything from ads to product packaging.
CUI: Do you use the Clinique products?
Schoonmaker: Of course! I love their high impact mascara and live by the almost powder compact makeup. I am always on the run and away from home most of the day; the make-up keeps me fresh and polished all day.
CUI: You obviously endorse the product, but what drew you to Clinique as a company?
Schoonmaker: They are an amazing company, and incredibly inspiring. My experience so far has been unbelievable and I haven’t even started yet. I would love to continue working for them after the internship; they feel more like a big family than a global company.
CUI: You seem to have a great passion for the industry. When did you decide that this is what you wanted to do?
Schoonmaker: Growing up, like most girls, I went through a period of time where I didn’t feel great about myself. Pretty quickly I decided that I couldn’t feel that way anymore and I needed to be more confident. My mom and sister really empowered me, and I want to do the same. I want to inspire women to feel beautiful inside and out. I feel that beauty and fashion directly relate to that, it is a reflection of how you feel on the inside.
CUI: With the office in New York, you obviously have a big move ahead of you. What do you love most about the city?
Schoonmaker: I love the energy in New York. It is really inspiring; it is an energy I thrive on. I’ve grown up in Colorado my whole life, and need a change of scenery. New York is perfect and the best place to start my career after graduating.
CUI: Speaking of graduation, what experiences throughout your college career prepared you for your next adventure?
Schoonmaker: Honestly, all the internships I have had. They have really paved the way to this moment. Each experience really has provided me with a skill or an opportunity that I have held onto. Not only internships, but each class I have taken, my involvement with PLC (President’s Leadership Class) and the people I have met.
CUI: In the article for Teen Vogue, the judges said that you have been supporting yourself since you were 16. How did you manage that, especially in terms of college?
Schoonmaker: I worked really hard! I applied for as many scholarships as I possibly could, and looked for paying internships. I know the resources are out there and I have been lucky enough to take advantage of all of them. For me it was about knowing that I have the motivation, the drive and the experience to succeed.
To learn more about the Clinique Fresh Faces Tour check out their website and pick up a copy of the April edition of Teen Vogue to learn more about Maggie and the other four finalists.
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Maranda Bodas at Maranda.bodas@colorado.edu
