Selling Out

So many of my classmates of the 2013 graduating class still harbour the ambition to become authors, journalists and publishers. I also still have that ambition but with our arts degrees and the pressure of living back at our parents' or suddenly burning through that last scrap of student loan sometimes the only option is to bite the bullet and get a job that doesn't immediately shout "dream opportunity".


I think it is important that graduates remember that their career is a long road, they could be in full time work for the next 50 years so it is not the end of the world if the first couple of jobs are not ideal. Everything takes time and in the grand scheme of things you only need to be at each stepping stone job for a year or two before it is acceptable to move on.


The other thing to remember is that transferable skills are everywhere. There are so many stories about my classmates not having enough office experience leading to them missing out on that application. My advice would be to aim for as close to the dream job as possible or for as similar a role as possible which will make the next step an easy transition and make the most of every position.


On the other hand maybe I am defending that route because it is the one I have been forced to take. I hope that this new job will be a stepping stone to my next. I certainly consider it to be more appropriate than my last. My new role is at a publisher of sorts and getting used to a company with a similar culture is helpful.


Always remember make the best of your situation, particularly if it is not exactly where you want to be and that should be enough of an armour against the accusation of selling out or selling your soul to the wrong industry. We've all got to climb the ladder from somewhere, why not let it be from a steady job that pays on time.

It Took A Year

Last weekend I gave you a clue about some changes that would be coming on the blog. Did anyone guess what they might be?

Well, I am actually writing from my new office, at my new job. and tomorrow I am moving into my new house with a 26 minute commute. 

I was starting to think it would never happen! But 12 months of interning paid off and I am no longer an intern in books. So what am I up to?

I am the communities manager at Movellas. Movellas is a writing app and website, mainly for teenagers where they can publish their writing. We run a ton of competitions and it is my job to go back and forth with publishers to build campaigns and negotiate prizes. I'm also the main point of contact for any questions that the users have. 

So what will happen to intern in books? Well I love my blog, so I'm going to keep it up and keep updating. I still have a ton of advice for interns so will carry on as long as I can. Maybe in a few months this blog might graduate to Working in Books so there is that to look forward to! 

Since I've got my job (and my first paycheck) I will be moving into my new house just 30 minutes from central london. Everything is coming together *wipes a tear*

I'm starting the next chapter of my life and I am running at it full tilt (its now 7:30 on a Friday night and I still have emails! Couldnt be happier)

Ch-Ch-Ch CHANGES!

Hey Everyone,

Those of you who follow me on twitter may have noticed a few little tweaks here and there. Yes, finally, I am no longer an intern in books. I thought it was time for a revamp and a change of gear for what I want to do with this blog.

First:
I am now officially Storiesinbooks. Because I still want to be in books, so far in them, wrapped up in them. I just want to read read read. So I will be writing about books and publishing even more, as well as throwing a bit more of my personality into the mix. I want this blog to be about books, but also about me; about my story.

Second:
The colours. I think it is time I grew up out of pink. There might be a rainbow of templates for the next few weeks, as I figure out a more appropriate backdrop, please bare with my design changes!

Third:
I want to work on my own writing. I currently work at a YA story sharing community. Which is incredible, I never thought I would get to work on a site, similar to what I used to write on as a teenager. I would love to show case a bit more of my creative writing on my blog, so look out for that.

I hope that these changes can reflect where I want my blog and also my career to go. The passion that I have for reading and books in general is fantastic. I don't know how I could be happy unless I ensure that my job, and every job after it, is cultural and bookish.

Wish me luck!