A staff writer is someone who is employed by a newspaper or magazine, who writes sections for the publification. They are also referred to as a "general assignment reporter". There are a number of career paths that can be pursued after this, for example, you can become a PR specialist, an editor, copy editing or possibly writing columns.
For experience you can become a volunteer or an intern at a company, which is advised before getting a full-time job. You can also submit articles as a freelance journalist which will help to build your reputation and experience. You can keep a portfolio of your articles for when you go to interviews, which will give the editors an idea of the sort of articles you write. Some people choose to be writer's assistants to gain experience.
A bachelor's degree in english is essential as this will boost your credentials and show the company that you are dedicated to your chosen profession.
Friday, 30 July 2010
Photographer
A photographer takes the images for the publification to the best of their ability. They give the model the brief and tell them what is expected of them, trying to ensure they get the shot that they need. There job is to take the brief from the publification and try to re-create what they want in the image.
Most people that go into photography either do A Levels or a National Diploma at college, where they can make a start to their portfolio, which is experience in its own right. From here you can then go onto further education to take a degree in photography. Photography mainly revolves around going out and taking pictures to put in your portfolio. You could also gain experience from working in a company and "following" the photographer before going off in your own right, as did Annie Leibovitz.
Most people that go into photography either do A Levels or a National Diploma at college, where they can make a start to their portfolio, which is experience in its own right. From here you can then go onto further education to take a degree in photography. Photography mainly revolves around going out and taking pictures to put in your portfolio. You could also gain experience from working in a company and "following" the photographer before going off in your own right, as did Annie Leibovitz.
Tuesday, 27 July 2010
Features Editor
A features editor is responsible for the larger pieces in a publification, but they generally get more time to plan and execute the article than if you were in a lower position than this. It is often considered an entry-level position in newspapers and magazines. To become a features editor you need to have a good understanding of your chosen publification. You need to understand issues of flow and spelling, and understand grammar and proper sentence construction. You need to understand and anticipate how the audience will react to the story you are publishing, and know what will make an interesting feature story. A features editor needs to be able to manage staff, and hold them accountable if something goes wrong on the section they were in charge of. They need to be able to keep track of multiple projects at any one time and of their staff.
Being part of a publification isn't essential in school, but when you get to college it becomes essential as it proves you are dedicated to the job. Without some sort of experience of a publification outside of college, the jobs you can get becomes very limited; so getting a job in a publification is also essential to becoming a features editor. Getting experience as a manager is key to becoming a features editor, as a lot of the skills you need are also contained in the job of a manager. An internship may help as it gives you first hand experience of the job and of the responsibilities you will need; it also helps with building contacts which is valuable when on a job search.
A bachelor's degree is usually essential to become a editor, as it is important to get the skills in writing for this job. A good understanding of the computer programs is also essential as you will be needing to use them regularly to complete your work and to keep track of everything that is going in within the project. The features editor needs to make good decisions on what gets published and what doesn't. They need to have a strong head, enjoy writing, be creative and curious, willing to take risks. They must demonstrate a good sense of judgement and self-motivation.
Being part of a publification isn't essential in school, but when you get to college it becomes essential as it proves you are dedicated to the job. Without some sort of experience of a publification outside of college, the jobs you can get becomes very limited; so getting a job in a publification is also essential to becoming a features editor. Getting experience as a manager is key to becoming a features editor, as a lot of the skills you need are also contained in the job of a manager. An internship may help as it gives you first hand experience of the job and of the responsibilities you will need; it also helps with building contacts which is valuable when on a job search.
A bachelor's degree is usually essential to become a editor, as it is important to get the skills in writing for this job. A good understanding of the computer programs is also essential as you will be needing to use them regularly to complete your work and to keep track of everything that is going in within the project. The features editor needs to make good decisions on what gets published and what doesn't. They need to have a strong head, enjoy writing, be creative and curious, willing to take risks. They must demonstrate a good sense of judgement and self-motivation.
Picture Editor
A picture editor is someone that takes, reviews, edits and publishs an image to place in a publication; ranging from webpages to television. Their job is to collect a picture that is within the needs, guidelines and budgets of the publication. They have to take an image and make it as close to the publications brief and needs. They are most likely to use software such as Adobe Photoshop, Xara Pro X or MAGIX Photo&Grafic Designer.
To get to this position you would need to have 5 years experience as a photo editor or photographer, have experience using the editing programs, be able to visual storytelling and journalism and have excellent communication skills.
A degree in the arts is usually a good place to start as this will give you the basic skills needed. You will also learn which pictures are rubbish and what the gems which are worth editing and sending to be published.
To get to this position you would need to have 5 years experience as a photo editor or photographer, have experience using the editing programs, be able to visual storytelling and journalism and have excellent communication skills.
A degree in the arts is usually a good place to start as this will give you the basic skills needed. You will also learn which pictures are rubbish and what the gems which are worth editing and sending to be published.
Art Director
An art director comes up with a visual concept from everything from billboard advertisements to webpage layouts. It is there job to take the brief given to them and create an image or set of images / layout that is asked of them. They are in charge of the overall vision and how it comes together and attracts the target audiences attention. They are in charge and have the final say on the style, visual elements used and when it is appropriate to use motion.
The most difficult job an art director faces is to take everyones ideas and convey it into an art piece. During the process the art directors, co-workers and clients are locked in conversation about how they imagine the piece to look at the end of their time together; this can be immensly difficult as they all have different views, opinions and visions.
In magazine, the art director works in close proximities with the editor to work on concepts for articles and sections. They are responsible for the overall look and feel of the publication, whereas the editor is responsible for the textual content. Art directors generally work up to the position from assistant positions over the years, which adds to your experience in the field.
One of the most important things you need in order to become and art director is a portfolio. This contains all of the work you have done over the time on your course, which is also very important as to get the job in the first place it is essential that you have used the programs and equipment needed. You will need to go to an art school and study graphic design, photography and drawing, where you will also learn to use the computer programs needed for when you enter the field.
Work experience is also important as it helps you understand and improve your skills. This can come from and internship or from your experience from art school. All would work in your favour to get the job.
The most difficult job an art director faces is to take everyones ideas and convey it into an art piece. During the process the art directors, co-workers and clients are locked in conversation about how they imagine the piece to look at the end of their time together; this can be immensly difficult as they all have different views, opinions and visions.
In magazine, the art director works in close proximities with the editor to work on concepts for articles and sections. They are responsible for the overall look and feel of the publication, whereas the editor is responsible for the textual content. Art directors generally work up to the position from assistant positions over the years, which adds to your experience in the field.
One of the most important things you need in order to become and art director is a portfolio. This contains all of the work you have done over the time on your course, which is also very important as to get the job in the first place it is essential that you have used the programs and equipment needed. You will need to go to an art school and study graphic design, photography and drawing, where you will also learn to use the computer programs needed for when you enter the field.
Work experience is also important as it helps you understand and improve your skills. This can come from and internship or from your experience from art school. All would work in your favour to get the job.
Editor
The editor can also be called the "executive editor" or the "editor-in-chief"; all of which relate to the same job. They are responsible for the contents of the publication and are effectively head of the publication.
Main responsibilities of the editor is to ensure the publication is kept to the budget, to motivate and develop the team, to operate strategic and operational planning and supervise journalists in order to help them develop their skills and create a publication that meets the needs of the audience.
The editor has the final decision on whether an article is published or not, this decision is usually made from the help of reviewers which have expertises in this area.
Work experience is absolutely essential in order to persue this career path. This is because you do not necessarily need a college education in order to become an editor; some companies are willing to take you on for your abilities and experience alone. They may also train you up so that you are up to the job and obtain the skills required. If you are not going to be taking a Bachelor or Master's degree, you will still need to understand the english language, and be able to use grammar, punctuation, etc effectively.
The sort of work experience you will be after would possibly be an assistant to the editor or something similar, as you will be learning the skills needed and will regain some experience from watching someone else fulfil the job you wish to take.
If you are going to have a college education, then you will be likely to take a Bachelor's degree in either English, Communications or Journalism. This looks brilliant on your CV and will impress the company you are hoping to work for.
Main responsibilities of the editor is to ensure the publication is kept to the budget, to motivate and develop the team, to operate strategic and operational planning and supervise journalists in order to help them develop their skills and create a publication that meets the needs of the audience.
The editor has the final decision on whether an article is published or not, this decision is usually made from the help of reviewers which have expertises in this area.
Work experience is absolutely essential in order to persue this career path. This is because you do not necessarily need a college education in order to become an editor; some companies are willing to take you on for your abilities and experience alone. They may also train you up so that you are up to the job and obtain the skills required. If you are not going to be taking a Bachelor or Master's degree, you will still need to understand the english language, and be able to use grammar, punctuation, etc effectively.
The sort of work experience you will be after would possibly be an assistant to the editor or something similar, as you will be learning the skills needed and will regain some experience from watching someone else fulfil the job you wish to take.
If you are going to have a college education, then you will be likely to take a Bachelor's degree in either English, Communications or Journalism. This looks brilliant on your CV and will impress the company you are hoping to work for.
Monday, 26 July 2010
Job Vacancy 1: Photographer
The first job vacancy I chose to research was to be a photographer. I looked on the "Guardian" website and found a position for a Junior Digital Photographer. It is a full-time job in West London, where you would be working for NET-A-PORTER.com. The employee would be working from 10am - 6pm, or 5pm - 10pm on a changing shift basis.
To apply for this job you would need an undergraduate degree in Photography, or something similar.
There are a number of skills and requirements, such as experience in a studio, with digital cameras and with lighting. You will also need to be able to work well in a team, act cool under pressure, be able to meet deadlines, be creative, and to use your initiative. The employee must also have a high technical skill in Photoshop, Capture and networked computers.
This position has a large number of responsibilities, so the employee would need to be hard-working and determined to succeed in this job. Some of the responsibilities included in this job are to be able to take, crop, edit, rename digital images of NAP products. The images must be of a high quality with correct exposure and colour consistency. They must be responsible for the care and upkeep of studio equipment, props and supplies. The employee would also prepare the set, correctly setting up the equipment and checking it is safe and works, and keeping accurate daily shoot records.
To apply for this job you would need an undergraduate degree in Photography, or something similar.
There are a number of skills and requirements, such as experience in a studio, with digital cameras and with lighting. You will also need to be able to work well in a team, act cool under pressure, be able to meet deadlines, be creative, and to use your initiative. The employee must also have a high technical skill in Photoshop, Capture and networked computers.
This position has a large number of responsibilities, so the employee would need to be hard-working and determined to succeed in this job. Some of the responsibilities included in this job are to be able to take, crop, edit, rename digital images of NAP products. The images must be of a high quality with correct exposure and colour consistency. They must be responsible for the care and upkeep of studio equipment, props and supplies. The employee would also prepare the set, correctly setting up the equipment and checking it is safe and works, and keeping accurate daily shoot records.
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