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Topic: Recent grad with a BFA looking for...
| Author | Message |
| Chachiness | Posted – 12/18/2007 8:05:19 PM | show profile | email poster ANYTHING in the writing/journalism/editing world... I naively moved to LA in order to find "my dream job". The Writer's Strike has put a damper on my situation. Also, being a recent grad is a catch 22; you have to have the job for experience and you need experience for the job. I am open to ALL suggestions (and no, college does not always teach you HOW to find or land a job/career... I read the other recent grad's post). Can anyone help? |
| ManhattanMatt | Posted – 12/18/2007 8:16:43 PM | show profile How has the writers' strike ... ...affected you? |
| katestarrr | Posted – 12/18/2007 9:27:21 PM | show profile i'll tell you now not to listen to matt...he doesn't like anyone under 35. |
| Chachiness | Posted – 12/19/2007 7:17:51 PM | show profile To Matt: the writer's strike has made it difficult for any new talent to break into the writing world because in order to secure a job which has opened up, you need to be a scab and cross the line. Most likely, you'll lose your job post-strike and won't gain any respect of the current writers. I'd appreciate answers to my post, not queries. |
| PluckyPane | Posted – 12/19/2007 7:37:24 PM | show profile Chachiness, did you try going to your career services office at your college? I've gotten many great leads going through the online postings for J jobs through my alma mater. Also try other area schools that have a journalism program and see if they have jobs posted online. Do note that the listings are published nationally, and may have a large pool of applicants. Have you tried the local and state government websites? It's often a long time between when you apply and when you get the call, but there is opportunity there. Conferences and expos are awesome for this as well. There's always something going on locally, so check local media boards or ask members here. What about freelancing? Sure, you won't have medical, but it's a great way to get some clips. The local papers may have a higher acceptance rate and pay peanuts, but you will have experience. Try your local colleges and universities via their websites. When I first started out, I took a job as an admin asst at a local college and then moved up to associate editor of the unversity's publishing press. Starting in something not 100% related may segue into something wonderful. Also, try smaller houses as well as larger ones. The smaller places like trade pubs or startups will have a lot of room to grow, although the pay won't always be stellar. But the experience...you will walk away with many marketable skills. For large houses, they like to promote from within, so you will have a structured position with a limited skill set, but you can advance to the next tier with some security of seniority. One other thing, no matter how you hunt, make sure you know what you're talking about. Magazine, newspaper, and book editing/writing jobs are very different animals, as are PR agencies, universities, and advertising. Remember, everyone needs writers and editors, so it's a matter of finding your right fit. Good luck to you! |
| ManhattanMatt | Posted – 12/19/2007 7:38:18 PM | show profile Chachi ... I doubt a recent college grad with no writing experience would have had a shot at any of those entertainment writing jobs. And production is shut down across the board. There ARE no scabs. |
| Chachiness | Posted – 12/19/2007 7:47:04 PM | show profile THANK YOU sjr! I will follow through with your advice. My alma mater is a tiny school in New England and doesn't help much with job placement. I've relocated to LA and maybe UCLA or USC would have the jobs you spoke of... I'll do some hunting. I'll also scout for trade publishing. My ultimate dream job is to write for a women's magazine (specifically American Cheerleader) and I don't know the path to getting there. Thanks for all of your advice! |
| Village Gal | Posted – 12/20/2007 8:29:20 AM | show profile If you want to write for women's magazines, then start freelancing. Get some clips. You can freelance from anywhere. Or consider a job as an editorial assistant, although most of the women's mags are in NYC. |
