About Cassandra:
- Interned at Carolina Woman Magazine
- Got involved in campus publications
- Went on the JAFA trip and set up a lot of meetings with alumni
- Cold emailed editors at magazines she liked
- Interned at Jane after cold emailing the editor there and meeting with her. Was there when it folded
- Interned at NC State Magazine
- Interned at People Magazine (the most intense internship—weeklies are hard)
- Interned at Self Magazine in the beauty closet
- Freelanced at some websites when the economy was going down
- Had to leave NY for about 7 months and then landed a job at First for Women Magazine where she is now an editorial assistant. Covers a lot of things, departments.
Ed2010
- Posts jobs for Ed2010
- Cassandra reports for them – How to be a better EA
- A lot of exciting projects coming out soon!
- Possibility of getting credit through Ed instead of through universities, especially for post-grads
- Always looking for ways to improve—if you have an idea, send it to ed@ed2010 or to Cassandra
- Always goes to the panels and happy hours – “There is always more to learn”
- You have to use Ed as a networking tool. The more you learn and the more you meet people, the better it will help you when you look for your jobs
- Try to plan breaks with the Ed trips
- Follow Ed on twitter/facebook/website!
Questions
What’s the best balance for getting credit and pursuing interests?
Magazines today are looking for people with ALL skills so find an internship that you’re interested in doing, not just one that will get you credit. For some, you don’t have to get credit. In the magazine industry, you have to go for what you want.
The cold-emailing process. What to say, what to attach?
Magazine editors are people too! The majority are SUPER nice. Instead of going straight for the job, go for a connection so you can network. It will help you in the long run and help you network. Set up a trip to NY, research editors and the magazines, find out who they are. Send a quick email “Hey. I love this magazine/I like this article… I’m coming to NY and I’d love to come meet you for an informational interview.” Some editors will Skype, phone, do coffee. Attach a resume in emails but nothing because it might be pushy. Be genuine and get advice. Ed2010 has a cheat sheet for all company emails.
What qualities should we have to get through and get a job?
Resilience. You’re going to get beat down a lot and you’ll probably get rejected. The silver lining is that it can be done! You can’t give up. If you have to get a part-time job while interning, do it. Going through the recession really helped Cassandra know what I wanted. You’re competing with people that have more resources and benefits than you do. Take advantage of any connection that you can make. Don’t be scared or ashamed to reach out. Cassandra is a resource, too! Be creative, follow editors on twitter. They post about jobs. It takes time, but things always seem to take place. There is no set path to a career in magazines so you have to find your own way. A lot of it is timing. Proactively search and it will happen.
What was it like adjusting to life in NY from NC?
Cassandra knew that it was where she wanted to be. Subways can be scary. Had a group of friends there, too. It can be overwhelming. Have friends and go to Ed events to make new friends. Build up a nest-egg, the price of living is huge. Start saving now! There are free things to do, too. Keep yourself busy. Consider moving with a roommate. Alumni groups in NY, too.
Informational Interviews etiquette.
Informational interviews are a little more casual. Dress pants or skirt, nice top, maybe a blazer. Unless it’s a high-end fashion magazine or a business magazine. Match the content of the magazine.
Can last anywhere from 5 minutes to an hour. Keep them around 15 to 30 minutes. Editors are busy.
Let them know what you’re interested in, too, what you love about the magazine and that you would one day love to work there. Ask what’s the best way to apply or hints or tips. What kind of intern do they want? What qualities? Bring a clipbook and show them what you’ve done.
Balance between newspaper and magazine work
Depends on what you want. Try to do as much as you can, but don’t overwhelm yourself. PLEASE enjoy college. Do what you want to do. Try to aim your activities to what you want to do. Doesn’t matter if it’s newspaper or magazines as long as it’s what you want to do—copy editing, writing, etc.
Leadership positions vs. Internships
Depends on the internship and how much experience you can get out of it. If it’s more, that might be the way to go. Really what you feel you’ll get the most out of. Either way, it can’t hurt you. The main thing is to get experience the way you can.
CAFME
- Found out about Ed and campus chapters
- Cassandra co-founded CAFME
- You ARE meeting people who are going to New York and who might offer you a job someday.
- The people in CAFME are important in your career. Network now.
- “It helps to know people, especially on the bottom because you never know where they’ll end up.”
Keep up on the magazine industry and see what they’re doing. Keep track of where people are going. If you have a favorite magazine, keep track of the editors.
People can people tell you so many different ways and things, but really it’s all about finding your own path. Sooner or later things will fall into place for you and it will all be worth it.
Don’t be scared!
The good news: The economy is picking up and there are a lot more jobs!
Media Bistro’s revolving door: can see where editors move
Always pay it forward. You’re going to have to help someone eventually.
No comments:
Post a Comment