I love a bag that can dual as a backpack.
D2 has this one and gets a lot of use out of it.
https://www.calpaktravel.com/products/kaya-laptop-backpack/navy
Lots of colors.
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For an engineering internship, itâs very dependent on the job site. Working in a pod is very different than an industrial setting.
My daughter has worked in both. For the pod situation, she wore business casual. Now sheâs in a plant and wears jeans and steel toed boots.
My daughter is not into labels at all. I bought her a longchamp bag and it went right back. Not interested at all. Her cousin who was in IB, that was her first bag (now itâs more expensive bags) but daughter was not interested. Daughter likes a nice canvas bag.
If there was anything that she would like, itâs more in this vein.
https://www.nordstrom.com/brands/fjallraven--9180
Me, I like MZ Wallace bags. They donât have a big label, they hold a ton and arenât heavy. I have a longchamp bag, itâs not my favorite. My sister loves hers.
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I think the 15 inch laptop carrying bag @deb922 linked is a good choice.
My D would really like something like this for corporate travel. Thanks for the link!
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As we often say on âbagâ threads (purses, totes, backpacks) unless you are REALLY certain what she would like or not like I advocate for gifting her the cash or your credit card number to pick out a bag for herself.
To me a bag is SO personal! Type, color, material, soft/hard, storage options, etc.
And as mentioned above, the work setting may make a difference. Could look really out of place to walk in an industrial setting with a fine leather bag.
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Agree-maybe present some options so she can pick. I have several different totes and backpacks depending on the situation.
My college junior daughter has a consulting internship this summer and will commute by train. She is planning on using her Longchamp tote- itâs lightweight and has a zipper top.
I really enjoy seeing specific recommendations. About 10 years ago I bought a Longchamp tote after it was recommended here on CC.
Since Iâm getting bag ads in my feed now.
My daughter would probably carry this. Since she loves everything lululemon. But sheâs not one for fancy bags. Reviews says it has a pouch for a laptop.
https://shop.lululemon.com/p/bags/Take-it-On-Tote/_/prod10370191?color=45957&sz=ONESIZE
Will she travel with it as well?
I personally prefer a backpack to have my hands free. But it doesnât always look professional. Some do both. A huge advantage is if you can make it look like just a purse. Many museums, some government buildings will not let you enter with a backpack. Purses typically ok though.
I have used a sling backpack for over 20 years. My sister used to sneer at me and ask it it was my purse. Yes, yes it was and still is. I would never choose a tote as a bag, in place of a sling bc I like to have my hands free and slings can be spun around to be very accessible. They also donât slide off your shoulder.
However, if I just had to use just one bag for all my belongings including a laptop, I might choose a tote, since slings generally arenât made for laptops. But that would only be the case if I didnât have far to walk.
If I had to walk far, it would be a backpack definitely. I just donât like carrying bags with my hands.
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I will be a contrarian. I have never had an issue with NOT having free hands with a tote under my shoulder. 
Just pick one with good, flat handles and try for fit. Plus, any bag that is out of your sight is more prone to picking.
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This is where some questions or input from the daughter would be helpful. We all do have our bag preferences!!
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Maybe I just have unusually sloped shoulders bc bags always slip off them. I admit I started using slings when my girls were infants and I had to bend and lean a lot. But I still prefer them and find them very comfortable. I am a very casual dresser though.
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My daughter recently upgraded from this messenger bag https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07F8QGRVH/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
to this backpack
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07DZZJ2B9/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1
She just had too much to carry back and forth (because nothing stays in the office when you are working some days in the office and some days at home) and she wanted to carry it in the healthiest way for her back (she either walks or takes a bus when she goes into the office)
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One consideration will be whether the backpack will also be used as her purse.
When working, I carried my laptop back/forth in a backpack. In it I stashed my very small purse (really more of a very large wallet with a strap). Sometimes I carried them separately. There was a time when I carried a larger purse and the laptop, but that got to be a pain.
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Depending on how urban the environment and what kind of transportation would be used (i.e. public/car/walking) you might want to look at PacSafe or Travelon as they usually have security features like a locking zipper, so it doesnât matter if something is âout of sightâ or not. They usually also have a strap that will unhook on one side so you can secure it to a table or your chair (i.e. to prevent a snatch and grab) if you were eating at a cafe.
A Pacsafe tote that can carry a 15" laptop: https://int.pacsafe.com/collections/purses-totes/products/stylesafe-anti-theft-tote-bag-1?variant=34075500281987
A Pacsafe backpack Metrosafe X 20L Anti-Theft Backpack - Pacsafe â Official APAC Store
A Travelon messemger Buy Anti-Theft UrbanÂź Messenger for USD 105.00 | Travelon Bags
A Travelon backpack Buy Anti-Theft Metro Backpack for USD 110.00 | Travelon Bags
Iâm not sure why you are tagging me. I am well aware of the existence of these options but I find them heavy and awkward.
I apologize. I thought I hit reply to the thread and apparently I hit reply to you. That was not my intent.
For public transit travelers, here is one more thing to consider: if you are traveling on a packed bus or train with standing room only, you will have to take off you backpack and put it on the floor. You can easily get away from having to put your bag on the dirty floor with a tote - under your arm, it will not be hitting your fellow riders in their faces.
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No worries, no apology needed! Useful info for the folks who might be considering something along those lines. Just not my cup of tea.
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I must have the same shoulders. Straps always fall off my shoulders which is why I love a crossbody bag.
My D uses a Longchamp tote.
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