Internship Review for Sotheby's New York

Goals of this organization or company
Sotheby's is one of the world's premier auction houses (live or online) for paintings, sculpture, other fine art, antiques, books, jewellery, toys, dolls, collectible memorabilia.

Were you reimbursed for this internship?
This was an unpaid internship
This internship had no financial reimbursement

How did you find out about this internship?
Online

What tasks or projects did you complete during this internship?
I helped in the creation of an auction cataloged for a French Furniture auction.

What skills did you learn?
I did not learn a great deal from this internship due to the lack of work that my advisors gave me, though I constantly asked them for tasks. The lack of responsibility was maddening at times. I did, however, get to try my hand at auctioneering which I hope to make into a life skill.

Was the atmosphere friendly? Unfriendly?
The atmosphere was elitist, superficial and competitive. The internship was comprised of 80% women who were from top colleges and very self-interested.

Are you still in touch with this organization? Would you consider working there?
I am not in touch with Sotheby's and do not want to work there in the future.

Would you recommend this internship? Was it challenging & fun? Or boring & not worth your time?
I recommend this internship for people who are interested in learning about auction houses and their unique position in the "Art World." I, however, would warn applicants to the very female-dominated, stilleto-clicking culture of Sotheby's and the unavoidable elitism of the institution.

If you have any further questions, please contact the reviewer at: I would love to answer any questions. Contact me: Kate klupo@middlebury.edu