Firstly - huge apologies for my lack of posts recently. I've been super busy doing exciting career things, and I have neglected my poor blog far too much.
Since graduating last year, I've had a bit of a rough time deciding what I actually want to do, and landing that dream job (as many graduates do!) About six months ago, I decided that I wanted to do something that I'd always thought was impossible for me - I wanted to work in magazines. I know that so many girls want to do this job, and that that it will be super competitive. But who says graduating is the end of your learning curve anyway?!
Still, Let me make this clear before we go any further - you will not get a job in magazine journalism without experience. Fine. Good, in fact. It sorts out who really wants the role and who just thinks it'll be a bit of glamour. However, getting that work experience is probably a lot harder than getting many jobs. It took me months of trying to land my first placement at Bliss Magazine, but it was worth it to get that confirmation that this is the career for me.
So, I got my acceptance letter, packed my bags and headed to Kent (a bit of an expensive shock, since I'd naively assumed the placement would be in London!) for my week at Bliss.
I won't go through every day in detail, but I will say that Bliss was a perfect first step for me. This placement was basically testing the water - making sure that this was actually my dream career. Luckily, I was introduced to the world of magazine journalism excellently. At the end of my week, I left knowing that this was now the only career for me!
I've done placements in the past where it's been hard to get anyone to give you any task, let alone something which may be helpful to the company. However, Bliss trusted me from the beginning, and during the week I was given transcriptions, research, horoscopes and short online stories to write. I consistently asked if they needed any help, and was never met with: "Errr...no not really". They understood that it was important for me to get as much out of my time there as possible, and as a journalism graduate - I could actually be of some use to them!
As Bliss is such a small team (just five of them) I got to know each co-worker fairly well, and they were all lovely and gave me some great advice. I got a great experience and a bag of beauty of beauty goodies out of my week - but most importantly, I got confirmation that this is the industry I should be in, and a renewed determination to do well.
I'm now on an online internship at Woman & Home, and I truly think that my week at Bliss helped me immensely. Woman & Home is much bigger, but I went in with confidence knowing that I could do well here. I'm now loving my time at W&H - but more on that in a later post!
About to do your first work experience placement?
Here are some tips for impressing your new peers, collated after being tried and tested by me!
Always learn your new co-workers names, and use them when talking to them.
Don't ever be afraid to ask if they need any more help. No-one wants you sitting in silence not doing anything.
Take the initiative occasionally. It's great to offer your ideas, but just pick your times wisely. These people are hella busy - sometimes they don't want to have to massage your ego!
Introduce yourself to everyone. Yes, sometimes you will be rudely brushed-off, but the majority of people will be impressed. You're also more likely to get advice that way.
Of course - do everything with enthusiasm. Even if it's making the tea (which I have never been asked to do, but I always offer).
Keep hold of any work you do there. It's useful to show to future employees, and builds up your portfolio a little.
Good luck to any of you in the same boat as me. I know that, with a lot of determination, we will get there!
