I thought I might as well share my wisdom on gaining that dream position as a magazine intern, because I have been fortunate enough to acquire a couple! (well not everyone's dream, but it was my dream to get involved with the big names and I'll probably keep on going until I sustain a career in it!) I have worked for NOTION and COMPANY now, and just starting for POCKET LONDON, Louise from MIC's fashion jeans brand. All positions have been editorial, web writing or blogging based, but this post is more general whatever magazine position you may be pursuing.
EXPERIENCE FROM AN EARLY AGE:
So far I have used my university experience of two years with IMPACT at Nottingham University to kick start my career development. This not only proved invaluable for getting recognised for having experience with a magazine when I applied for positions, but it was fabulously rewarding on a personal level of acquiring a clearer career direction. It definitely confirmed my adoration for the media industry/ desire to work within it somehow in the future and more so the idea of seeing and inputting something into a creation from start to finish, like nurturing a plant or baking the cake of dreams. (oh my cake!) I digress. So yeah, I ended up liking it more than my degree, which became a burden, whereby my image editor position for a year and design editor role for the following, was SO much more exciting!
Grab magazine experience while you can, whether it's at school, college or university basically, as this will clarify what section of the magazine you are geared towards and what interests you the most about it. It provides an opportunity for you to become aware, become skilled and do it with less pressure than if you were to start out 'thrown in the deep end' for a national existing title. There is sooOOOOo much more to making a magazine and running it in print and online than you can imagine, so this will open your mind to it's entire, team-focused production and release. Magazines are a constant provision of 'stuff,' so a large team is needed to keep every cog in the machine running. It also allowed me to try different creative sectors from photography, to writing, to design, which made me more well-rounded. Doing this may prove to be much harder in a UK national magazine environment than in a lower pressured education environment. Something to talk about at a possible interview too!
GO GET:
Next- be pro active. I cannot stress this enough. GO GO GO. No one will take you seriously or seek you out unless you're offering something special or have evidences/reference of what you can do. Make sure you demonstrate your desire to work for a magazine, whether your a designer, writer, marketer or advertising officer, show off your skills. The web is the best way to do this as it's so easy to share information or your work online AND it's free! There is a huge range of platforms for showcasing your work and making contacts too, such as tumblr, blogger, wordpress, behance, flickr, instagram, twitter, Youtube, Pinterest, you name it, heck why not make yourself a Facebook page? Get your name out there and create a place of reference to link to potential employers. PS. Make it look pretty!
BE A YES MAN:
Some stuff may be a bore, obviously, it's not always going to be sunshine and rainbows. There are things you may have to do that you might not like during an internship, but I say DO IT, even if it's answering phones or running to get your boss a lunchtime Nandos (cough, I genuinely enjoyed this to be fair). If you're willing to help and you show you can cope with a range of tasks without fuss, you'll increase your like-ability factor hugely! It's better to be helpful and cooperative then value yourself too highly when you're working below people. Take the rough with the smooth and it will pay off later in life. Plus you'll make friends in the office!
This goes for experience opportunities too. In this industry it is likely you will be working for free, as places are darn competitive, so you'll need a nice backlog of achievements. Make yourself look flashy with a range of things you've done! You go Glen Co Co. It bulks up the CV and shows you take a real interest in your work that you don't need numeration due to the love of the job. Eventually you'll be noticed for your commitment and dedication, that a salaried position will grow nearer to your grasp. Stick at things, be patient, don't be too easily disheartened. It also shows you can multitask around other commitments in your life and you're efficient at using your free time.
If you don't do things willingly, or skip things because 'you cba,' / 'I am hanging,' someone else more willing is likely to scoop up your space. Therefore, if your mum's friend approaches you with some work experience and no pay, help her out!
IF YOU "LIKE IT A LOT":
Pick up a qualification or course in it! A lot of people I went to university with and did science degrees or English went on to specialise in the magazine field with a masters programme. There's things like photojournalism MA's, magazine journalism MA, sports reporting and anything up to news and politics. It's great studying the thing you love. Or there's courses that aren't at a master's level, but more of a foundation into this career field, such as NCTJ, short courses, or programmes for any age at local colleges. Get researchin'
STAY IN CONTACT/ MAKE THE CONTACTS:
You just never know when you may need to get in touch with your old work experience supervisor to use their magazine as a platform for your work or may need a reference. Maintain an approachable, proactive and friendly relationship with people, and again be helpful if you feel it could be career beneficial. Favours go a long way and it's better to be remembered!
Don't be shy or put off by people approaching you either, or calling you back up about something. This is a compliment I say! Adopt an open-minded attitude and be realistic about what you can achieve around your other commitments. If you think you'd enjoy something offered to you, accept and if you can't fit it in, you know you're already 'on it' anyway! Why not plan things for your diary in the future to keep your mind ticking. This can also demonstrate your flexibility.
Bonne Chance. It's a tough world.
Don't be shy or put off by people approaching you either, or calling you back up about something. This is a compliment I say! Adopt an open-minded attitude and be realistic about what you can achieve around your other commitments. If you think you'd enjoy something offered to you, accept and if you can't fit it in, you know you're already 'on it' anyway! Why not plan things for your diary in the future to keep your mind ticking. This can also demonstrate your flexibility.
Bonne Chance. It's a tough world.
