Expert: Kitty Kavey - 3/22/2007

Question
I know you probably get a lot of questions from prospective models, but I'm a prospective modeling agent. I'm in college and I'd like to become a modeling agent, especially working for some of the bigger modeling agencies in New York. How do I get there? Is there some way to get hired by them? Do you have any advice on what to major in or how to get hired by a great agency as a junior agent until I can work my way up to maybe high-end women's board senior agent?

Answer
Make a list of the agencies you'd like to work for, and contact them.  Ask them if they have any internships available.  If you're in the NY area, you can intern for them (and sometimes get school credit).  If you're not in the NY area, then ask about summer internships.  You probably won't start out as a junior agent, but you will learn the business from the ground up, and talented individuals move ahead in the business really fast.  
Out here in LA, there are agent assistants or agent trainees.  They often work while they are going to school, and are promoted to agents after their internship or trainee program.  
You may want to consider studying business/business management, finance - although it's my opinion that nothing beats learning on the job.
Best of luck to you,
~Kitty