NEW ARTICLES  HOT ARTICLES  TOP RATED  ADD AN ARTICLE  UPDATE AN ARTICLE  GET RATED 
  HOME     MY ACCOUNT     POWER SEARCH     REGISTER     SUPPORT     SUGGEST CATEGORY  

Ways Of Breaking Into Publishing
32825 Business > Management May 23, 2007 vgevge Ways Of Breaking Into Publishing I have always wanted to work for a newspaper or a magazine. It has been my goal for as long as I can remember. I have a degree in graphic design and have wanted to do layout design. I have had trouble finding my first job, as few people would considering hiring someone with no experience. Do you know how someone like me could break into the field of publishing? You're right -- getting started is tough. My first job out of college, with a four-year degree in journalism, was as a clerk at JCPenney. Two years later, I finally got a newspaper job. (Took that long because I didn't have much time to job-hunt.) So I know how frustrating this after-college time period can be. But you just need to hope for the best and keep trying to find that one job that will get you into the journalism world. What you need to do is plump up your resume and your clips. Have you considered doing some volunteer work for your church, a charity, a youth group, a local school, or other organization that puts out occasional publications? Or you could see if your local newspaper has a special section they put out annually (a fashion section, bridal section, back-to-school section, etc.) where you could design the cover for them or do any or all of the section's layout for them. It's something the editorial staff has to do in addition to their regular duties, so so they might really appreciate the help, especially if you offer to do it just for clips and the experience. You might also ask the newspaper's advertising manager if he would consider letting you design a few ads for him, just for the experience. That would give you some more examples of your work to show to prospective employers, and it also increases the pool of people who have seen your creative abilities and your work ethics. It never hurts to increase your contacts. A lot of journalism jobs get passed along via "word of mouth." Is there a large store in your area that sponsors special events for charities or just as promotional events? Maybe you could talk to the store's manager and offer to design their ads, posters, or their hand-out fliers for them, just for the experience. You might also try offering your services at a small, local newspaper -- such as a shopper (the freebie newspapers they give out at the grocery store, etc.) or your community's weekly or daily newspaper. They may not have an opportunity right away, but they could keep your information on file. Another option might be to look up the address of your state press association (or whatever your region calls its professional association for journalists and editors). If they don't have a job listing, they may know of someone who's hiring. It can't hurt to ask -- or even to ask if you can send them your resume. While you're at it, ask if they have a website where their members are listed (or a printed directory they could send you). You can blanket your area with your resume and samples of your work. Since you don't have a large body of work or a long career you can point to, perhaps you can highlight the positives that you have. Did you have any famed or acclaimed professors? When I was starting out, I liked mentioning that I had a magazine editing class with Willie Morris (former Harper's Bazaar editor and novelist) at the University of Mississippi. I also had kind of a low GPA, thanks to poor focus on my studies my freshman year, but I was able to say that, for the classes in my major, I had a 3.9 average. I didn't have internships to point to, but I did submit some of my stories from various journalism classes to area newspapers and I had those for clips. Perhaps you have done something similar you could point to? Be sure to point out that, in addition to your skills, you have a strong work ethic, you bring the job in on time, and you work well in a team environment. Employers consider not only your skills, but also how well you will fit into the workflow of their existing office. Be sure to highlight your overall professionalism as part of the total package you bring to an employer. One other idea: Look for "trade magazines." I worked for a small publishing house, who put out 3-4 national magazines that are geared to the professional interests of people in various trades -- nightclub and bar management, liquor store ownership and marketing, restaurant management, etc. (They also host several major national tradeshows for those professional groups, too -- which requires a graphic artist's skills for ads, etc.) They rely heavily on the expertise of their graphic artists to design ads, design magazine covers, and do the editorial page layouts. I'm not sure how you find such publishing companies, since a lot of them are not in the Writer's Digest guidebooks; you might try asking your local chamber of commerce of any publishing companies or "tradeshow" companies in the area, or you could do some online searches for "trade magazines." Or search the websites for Editor & Publisher and other professional mags. One source of new magazine -- the website of a journalism professor and magazine publishing consultant who is internationally renowned for his expertise and acumen in picking the best of the year's new magazines. Some of those magazines, which are just starting out, might have an opening for a hungry new professional such as yourself. It can't hurt to skim his website, find the magazines that intrigue you, and write to them. I would also search online for jobs that would let you freelance a bit to add to your portfolio. It dosen't matter that what kind of a job that you get while you are waiting for something that you really want to do. What ever job you do get you could even ask them if they need some help to promote there company or something that they are putting out and would like to get people to look at it. That my even start you off in the field that you would like to be in. Just keep your hopes up and your mind open to most things and you will get the job that you want sooner or later. Don't loose all hope. Victor Epand is an expert consultant at http://www.4Magazines.info/. 4Magazines.info offers the greatest magazine subscriptions from a variety of top publishers. Browse through our selection of Lifestyle Magazines here: http://www.4Magazines.info/category/lifestyle.html. send email to vgevge

Write a Review   Add to My Favorite   Refer it to Friend   Report Article  

Average Visitor Rating: 0.00 (out of 5)
Number of ratings: 0 Votes

Visitor Rating


Other links owned by this user
Picking the best gift for the right occasion.
Category:

The article provides important information of the role and importance of air guitar. Moreover, it provides useful tips for practicing air guitars.
Category:

In this article we describe some of the major brand names in the drums industry. Various features of the different drum makers have been discussed in this article.
Category:

This article talks about the different kinds of styles that you could use to mount your stones, but suggest you go to a jeweler to get a mounting done.
Category:

Things you need to consider while buying diamonds
Category:

This article talks about antique desks and some of the companies that might have made these.
Category:

All you need to know about antique and vintage jewelry
Category:

An introduction to synthesizers is a guidebook to synthesizers. It will help the readers to understand the instrument properly. How they work? How they used to look like and how they look now?
Category:

how to ensure that you are buying the right loose diamonds
Category:

This is a story about Krishna's pasttimes and his disappearance.
Category:

This article describes why a large number of people go for second hand computers and what precautions should one take while buying it.
Category:

This article helps you to buy a computer desk that suits your requirement and keeps your computer safe and sound, that too at an affordable price.
Category:

This article describes the meaning of birthstones including history and significance.
Category:

The above article informs you about all the aspects of drum sticks. It includes types, functions and characteristics of drum sticks, and the ways of using them as well.
Category:

This article talks about different polaroid cameras and what kind of polaroid cameras collectors are more interested in.
Category:

Cheap drum sets are a good option for the beginners as well as for the kids. There are few well-known companies that offer cheap drum set. You can also buy second hand drum sets as here you can get them at a cheap price.
Category:

This article talks about the protocol that is used for making a magazine.
Category:

The above article helps you in getting a fair idea about a Moog synthesizer. It discusses about the genesis, history, and the types of Moog synthesizer. It also informs you about the gradual evolution of the Moog and the famous personalities associated wi
Category:

The article offers you a guideline on assessing the need and choosing the right kind of drum equipments. It discusses on a wide range of drum equipments - both traditional and new, and suggests you the method to choose them.
Category:

Confused about what diamond jewelry to gift the women in your life? Well, just read on to make the right choices
Category:

Other links at Business > Management
A busy professional life has its own setbacks and having a cluttered office is probably one of them. Remember the first time you moved into your office?
Category:

Learn about the significant role that business cards play in marketing, networking, and just how vital they are when it comes to making a first impression.
Category:

With the pace of change in business today happening faster than a CD spinning in a drive, there comes a time when a person loses orientation and focus in the business.
Category:

Business coaching is a profession that provides business-related instructions and directions through encouragement and proper guidance. It helps in enhancing the efficiency of the employee and achieves professional growth. It boosts your performance and s
Category:

Succession planning is a simple enough process for managers and business owners to have the people they need, when they need them, all the time. And this brings them significant benefits. If that's what you want right now, here's three great benefits...
Category:




Site Sponsor
Directory Statistics

Articles: 68252
Categories: 501

Yahoo Entertainment
Valid XHTML 1.0 Transitional   Valid CSS