Miss the meeting? Need a refresher? Keep reading to see what she said!
About Cassandra
- Cassandra graduated from UNC in 2008. She co-founded CAFME after becoming interested in magazines and stumbling onto Ed2010.
- As a student, Cassandra worked for The Daily Tar Heel but was not a huge fan of working on a daily paper, so she began to work for Blue & White and Kaleidoscope. She also interned for Carolina Woman magazine, NC State magazine and Conde Nast Portfolio while at UNC. During the summers, she interned for People and. Jane magazine.
- After she graduated, she had no job but interned at People. She says the internship was hard but fun, and even though she was supposed to stay on, the economy crashed and People wasn’t able to hire her.
- After an internship with Self, Cassandra did not have many job prospects. She eventually moved to Washington D.C. and freelanced.
- She eventually got a job with First for Women as an editorial assistant, and she has been there for two and a half years. In September 2011, she was promoted to assistant editor. Her job now includes more editorial duties, including writing the fitness page "Great Shape" and the nutrition page “Sip Away Stress.”
- Cassandra also volunteers for Ed2010. She posts the WhisperJobs and is a co-director of the Ed2010 book club.
- First for Women is published every three weeks by Bauer Publishing. It has an audience of 3.7 million readers.
- The magazine covers a variety of topics relating to women, including health and nutrition, home and family, fitness and beauty.
- At First, Cassandra says editorial assistants have a lot of administrative duties and need to support the people around them, such as the editor in chief. However, EAs also get a chance to write and do photo research, she says.
Q: Do you advise first-year students to have internships?
A: Cassandra says that the best time to test things out is as a first-year. Any internship experience is good, and there are many publications around the Triangle area that a student could work for. Cassandra advises students to also look at Ed2010 for internship listings and to not settle for just any internship; instead, go for the one you want, such as an editorial or fashion internship.
Q: Do you have any cover letter advice?
A: Cassandra says cover letters are largely based on the preference of who’s looking at them. Make sure to have no spelling or grammar mistakes and to get the name of the company and person to whom you’re writing correct. Also, ensure that your letter doesn’t sound generic. No matter what, Cassandra says there are three things you must show in a cover letter:
1. You really want to work or intern for the publication.
2. You’re capable of everything the magazine needs you to do.
3. Why you’re the best person for the internship or job.
Cassandra adds that anecdotes are good, but don’t overdo it or sound cheesy. Lastly, be professional in your cover letter while also matching the voice of the publication and make sure to sell yourself.
Q: Do you have any networking tips?
A: Cassandra calls networking a “necessary evil.” When you network with someone, it’s nice to start by complimenting them on a piece they wrote, Cassandra says. After talking or meeting with someone, don’t fall off the face of the earth; check in every couple of months to build real connections with people. The magazine industry is small, so networking is really important. Cassandra says one way she networks is by telling the person whom she’s contacting a nugget of information that only the two of them would know, especially if that information doesn’t have to do with the magazine. It helps to build a personal, not just professional, relationship with that person.
As for if you should use social media to network, Cassandra says it depends on the editor. She maybe doesn’t advise it, but she adds that if the editor seems to be good at tweeting and involved, then you could try. Most importantly, always be professional when networking with someone via social media.
Q: What was the move like to NYC?
A: Cassandra says her move was kind of seamless. She first lived with an aunt who lived on Long Island before finding her own place, and she already had a group of friends who lived in the city. She says it’s important to make time with friends, and you can always use Ed2010 to meet new people. She adds that there’s a huge community of Tar Heels in NYC. She advises that you save up before you move, so you have a cushion, and to take the time to find the right neighborhood for you. She says New Yorkers are friendly, but just busy.
Thanks so much for being such a great speaker, Cassandra, and thanks to all of you who came out this week!
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