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Topic: Help for Inexperienced Newcomer
| Author | Message |
| Omar4 | Posted – 2/27/2008 5:25:22 PM | show profile | email poster Hi fellow Media Bistro readers! I'm currently a lawyer, about two years out of law school. My real desire though is to enter the field of writing/editing. But I have no idea how since I have no real experience in the writing/editing field. Every job opening I see requires at least a couple years experience. Furthermore, I can't afford to quit my job completely and start from the bottom with an internship or bottom of the totem pole position. Does anyone have any advice on getting my foot in the door? What can I do so that someone will take a chance on me? I would appreciate any advice anyone can offer! |
| Canadiana | Posted – 2/27/2008 5:56:39 PM | show profile Hi there! Start off by accepting small freelance jobs via MB, Craig's List, JournalismJobs.com, etc. while you keep your day job (if you have one). Do the freelance work at night or on the weekends and keep networking. You have an edge with your legal experience so you could pitch ideas to trade or consumer pubs with a legal angle, too. Good luck. |
| Village Gal | Posted – 2/28/2008 8:05:04 PM | show profile I suggest you start by taking some classes, so you get a sense of the field and maybe make some contacts that way. You could start to freelance while working at your main job. It is not realistic to think employers will take a chance on someone with no experience. |
| flight risk | Posted – 2/28/2008 8:40:16 PM | show profile You might have to scale back in more ways than one. I know what my friends made out of law school and it's more than what senior editors earn at decent sized national pubs. |
| Omar4 | Posted – 2/29/2008 11:51:54 AM | show profile Thanks for all of your advice-- I really appreciate it! I think taking some classes sounds like a great idea-- it would probably help in getting some freelance work too. Thanks again! |
| rozwrite55 | Posted – 2/29/2008 1:00:22 PM | show profile As well as taking some classes, consider writing for law publications. You already have the experience in the field and a lot of law journals prefer JDs to regular writers. |
