A few months ago I wrote a post about whether I had sold my soul for a pay check. Although I am happy in my job, I think that it is probably true. For the benefits of some job security in my life, I have taken on a position which is not my dream job and I remain on the stepping stones towards my future career without actually having arrived.
I know that the road ahead is long before I can say I am truly happy in my position and I don't think it will be at this company, although my current job does afford me many positive things.
It is difficult not to feel jealous of those who have worked hard and deservedly gained the positions that I have been dreaming of. Everyone's career is difficult but as more and more of my class mates eventually find a footing in the correct industry, I am reminded again and again how much I would like to have their job instead of mine.
I'm not sure what to do about this feeling. I think all I can do is be happy for those people who one day I might hope to call my colleagues. It's really hard not to fall into a pit of despair about your job. I think I have to try and appreciate what I've got while still balancing the ambition to move on.
Anyone else suffer from Job Jealousy?
Showing posts with label publishing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label publishing. Show all posts
Thursday, 12 November 2015
Thursday, 15 October 2015
The Actual Man Booker WINNER 2015
Marlon James, has won the 2015 Man Booker prize with his novel, A Brief History of Seven Killings. Congratulations to his achievement.
The judges accept that some people might struggle to read the book because it's hard work and hard going. But it is a testament to the power of this prize that if you type 'Brief' into google right now, it auto fills with the rest of the book title.
It's an exciting time of year for me because there are so many prizes to follow, and my favourite is always Man Booker because I love original fiction.
I won't be picking up this year's winner. It's not my kind of book, and I think that Man Booker is becoming something different from what it was when I first got excited about it four years ago. What I would consider winning fiction, is no longer what the judges look for. BUT they came to a unanimous decision in two hours, so Marlon James has pulled off something incredible.
Congratulations again, and to all of the shortlist that didn't make it as well!
The judges accept that some people might struggle to read the book because it's hard work and hard going. But it is a testament to the power of this prize that if you type 'Brief' into google right now, it auto fills with the rest of the book title.
It's an exciting time of year for me because there are so many prizes to follow, and my favourite is always Man Booker because I love original fiction.
I won't be picking up this year's winner. It's not my kind of book, and I think that Man Booker is becoming something different from what it was when I first got excited about it four years ago. What I would consider winning fiction, is no longer what the judges look for. BUT they came to a unanimous decision in two hours, so Marlon James has pulled off something incredible.
Congratulations again, and to all of the shortlist that didn't make it as well!
Thursday, 20 August 2015
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.
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.
Thursday, 13 August 2015
Books On The Underground
Every day thousands of people use the underground and so many of them are readers. It's the main place I browse for my next book by taking a look at other people's choices.
How great would it be if that person handed the book to you or left it on the seat? As you pick it up to shout after them you see a black circular sticker on the front cover.
I came across Books On The Underground on twitter about a year ago. They are an amazing organisation run by two book lovers. It's a very simple concept, you finish a book you love and you put a BOTU sticker on it and leave it on the tube for someone else to read. They also do promotions with publishers and authors to get books seen.
Everyone can get involved by emailing them to get your own stickers. I posted recently that I have trouble getting rid of my books once I'm ready to let them go. This is a slow but very satisfying way to do it. Why not definitely give your books a good home on the tube? Ofcourse you can just leave books lying around anywhere but I THINK that Books On The Underground have got some kind of agreement with TFL that the books are left where they are and not tidied away by staff.
Its a brilliant idea and one that is being taken up by a few different companies. I know a bag/wrapping company that makes bags designed for reuse with an online website that lets you know where your gift bag has travelled. Similarly books that travel the world being read over and over again with the help of a sticker on the front cover. And of course, the little free libraries that are starting to spring up around residential areas.
This is not a sponsered post, I just want as many people as possible to know that this exists and is a great way to share books. The larger the Underground library becomes the more likely it is that you will find one of these gems yourself. I've sent 6 books out on their journeys already.
Visit @BooksUndergrnd on twitter to see everything that they get up to and send them pictures of the books you leave! Order your stickers now and start sharing your books with London.
How great would it be if that person handed the book to you or left it on the seat? As you pick it up to shout after them you see a black circular sticker on the front cover.
I came across Books On The Underground on twitter about a year ago. They are an amazing organisation run by two book lovers. It's a very simple concept, you finish a book you love and you put a BOTU sticker on it and leave it on the tube for someone else to read. They also do promotions with publishers and authors to get books seen.
Everyone can get involved by emailing them to get your own stickers. I posted recently that I have trouble getting rid of my books once I'm ready to let them go. This is a slow but very satisfying way to do it. Why not definitely give your books a good home on the tube? Ofcourse you can just leave books lying around anywhere but I THINK that Books On The Underground have got some kind of agreement with TFL that the books are left where they are and not tidied away by staff.
Its a brilliant idea and one that is being taken up by a few different companies. I know a bag/wrapping company that makes bags designed for reuse with an online website that lets you know where your gift bag has travelled. Similarly books that travel the world being read over and over again with the help of a sticker on the front cover. And of course, the little free libraries that are starting to spring up around residential areas.
This is not a sponsered post, I just want as many people as possible to know that this exists and is a great way to share books. The larger the Underground library becomes the more likely it is that you will find one of these gems yourself. I've sent 6 books out on their journeys already.
Visit @BooksUndergrnd on twitter to see everything that they get up to and send them pictures of the books you leave! Order your stickers now and start sharing your books with London.
Thursday, 8 January 2015
Managing Rejection
Looking for internships and looking for jobs is really really tough. The publishing industry is better than most, I always sensed that there was a level of pity from colleagues. They had all been through it before.
The other frustrating thing, is that as with everything, the publishing world is about timing. Being in the right place at the right time. It is also about who you know. And interning is just a process of making sure you know as many people as possible.
But what is tough is the endless rejections. As with everything it's a numbers game. There are fewer and fewer publishing companies every year, as they get imprinted and swallowed up by the big fish. The ratio for your dream job is probably 3000:1 So you have to make sure that you are sending out more applications than ever. Which means more rejection letters than ever before.
It is very easy to get depressed about them piling up in your inbox. But regardless of how hard you tried on the cover letter or how perfect you would be for that job, someone is always better. it's disappointing. The only thing I can say is to try not to get bitter about it just move on to the next one.
It is usually the applications to the larger publishing houses that return with the most soul destroying emails. I won't name any random house-hold names...All you can do is apply again next time, with an even better CV and covering letter.
Over all you have to be positive to make a good impression. Try not to whine to people in the office, keep it to your friends and family (they HAVE to put up with your endless tales of woe).
Just keep playing the numbers game. An amazing job will come up. For all of us.
The other frustrating thing, is that as with everything, the publishing world is about timing. Being in the right place at the right time. It is also about who you know. And interning is just a process of making sure you know as many people as possible.
But what is tough is the endless rejections. As with everything it's a numbers game. There are fewer and fewer publishing companies every year, as they get imprinted and swallowed up by the big fish. The ratio for your dream job is probably 3000:1 So you have to make sure that you are sending out more applications than ever. Which means more rejection letters than ever before.
It is very easy to get depressed about them piling up in your inbox. But regardless of how hard you tried on the cover letter or how perfect you would be for that job, someone is always better. it's disappointing. The only thing I can say is to try not to get bitter about it just move on to the next one.
It is usually the applications to the larger publishing houses that return with the most soul destroying emails. I won't name any random house-hold names...All you can do is apply again next time, with an even better CV and covering letter.
Over all you have to be positive to make a good impression. Try not to whine to people in the office, keep it to your friends and family (they HAVE to put up with your endless tales of woe).
Just keep playing the numbers game. An amazing job will come up. For all of us.
Thursday, 16 October 2014
Bloomsbury
My Bloomsbury Review
I worked for Bloomsbury for 12 months. In 3 chunks.
2 weeks, 4 weeks, and 6 weeks.
The time I spent there built up every time and I met more and more of the staff and explored their enormous building. Every week more of the senior staff started to recognize me and gave me a smile in the corridors.
One of the things I loved about Bloomsbury, which is also one of the most important things about where you choose to work, is that they produced great books. I was always able to be enthusiastic about the books that we were working on. It is always easier to love your job if you believe in the product.
The Facts
Bloomsbury run a loose internship scheme from 2-4 weeks in any given department, usually Editorial, Marketing and PR have interns. However if you have a particular interest or talent in another department make that clear in your application. Sometimes they can squeeze you in. (I had an eye opening two days in the Production department)
The work experience that Bloomsbury provide is unpaid, however they do pay travel expenses. They do not pay for your lunch.
Bloomsbury offices are on Bedford Square in London near Tottenham Court Road on the Central and Northern Line.
Why I loved it
Bloomsbury feels like a publishing house the moment you step inside. The reception has floor to ceiling bookshelves crammed with books, there is a heavy dark carpet and big chairs with leather seats. Some publishing houses or literary agencies can seem almost sterile and they hide their books. (I won't name names)
The two teams that I worked on were awesome. I worked in Marketing and in Children's Editorial, both of which were incredibly useful in getting my current job which incorporates skills from both. Everyone is down to earth and great to work with, there is a definite team feel to everything that they do.
I would love to work for Bloomsbury again one day, my internships there have sparked an interest in them that I don't think I will ever shake. Until that day though I will just have to continue reading their books.
I worked for Bloomsbury for 12 months. In 3 chunks.
2 weeks, 4 weeks, and 6 weeks.
The time I spent there built up every time and I met more and more of the staff and explored their enormous building. Every week more of the senior staff started to recognize me and gave me a smile in the corridors.
One of the things I loved about Bloomsbury, which is also one of the most important things about where you choose to work, is that they produced great books. I was always able to be enthusiastic about the books that we were working on. It is always easier to love your job if you believe in the product.
The Facts
Bloomsbury run a loose internship scheme from 2-4 weeks in any given department, usually Editorial, Marketing and PR have interns. However if you have a particular interest or talent in another department make that clear in your application. Sometimes they can squeeze you in. (I had an eye opening two days in the Production department)
The work experience that Bloomsbury provide is unpaid, however they do pay travel expenses. They do not pay for your lunch.
Bloomsbury offices are on Bedford Square in London near Tottenham Court Road on the Central and Northern Line.
Why I loved it
Bloomsbury feels like a publishing house the moment you step inside. The reception has floor to ceiling bookshelves crammed with books, there is a heavy dark carpet and big chairs with leather seats. Some publishing houses or literary agencies can seem almost sterile and they hide their books. (I won't name names)
The two teams that I worked on were awesome. I worked in Marketing and in Children's Editorial, both of which were incredibly useful in getting my current job which incorporates skills from both. Everyone is down to earth and great to work with, there is a definite team feel to everything that they do.
I would love to work for Bloomsbury again one day, my internships there have sparked an interest in them that I don't think I will ever shake. Until that day though I will just have to continue reading their books.
Thursday, 9 October 2014
An Open Letter to University Students
Dear Students,
Your second or third attempt at freshers week is over, I hope it was even more successful than the first time round. You've probably had a chance to meet all your lecturers and had a chance to decide which seminars you will be avoiding. *curse you 9am lectures!*
This is the year that really starts to matter. In most cases, from now on, all of your grades count towards your final result. This is also the time to do all the fun things you always wanted to do because next year all your free time will be spent in 24hr Libraries and cafes trying to squeeze 10000 words into a dissertation.
My best advice that I can give you at this early stage in the year is to get a job. Any job. Preferably one that pays you, probably as a barista or in a shop. Your second year is all about building your CV while you have time and resources on your side.
There isn't a ticket into the job market. A levels, degree, good grade, respectable university, they're all just the building blocks of your CV and you need more. Start demonstrating what you want to do. If you don't know what to do, do things you like so that your CV reflects who you are. Having that first job or two will give you that much leverage once you graduate.
You might have spent most of your student loan on a bass guitar (you know who you are), but you can still survive on ramen noodles until Christmas. If you can live without a paying job, get an internship or placement in the industry you prefer. Sometimes this is hard to do in your university town.
I know about publishing, because that is what I wanted to do, so I can only advise on that, but it applies to everyone really. I was amazed once I got to London that there were at least three places I could have worked while at uni and I had no idea, because I never looked. Start your research NOW. look for work in your university town and at home.
My greatest regret is that I didn't do more to prepare for the real world while at Uni. Bills, rent, learning to drink jager without dying, all good lessons. But what I really should have been doing is writing for my uni magazine, working in the SU, building a blog! Anything to prove to my employers that I want to be in their industry. In publishing the consistent item on a job description is that the candidate must 'demonstrate their passion for books'. So go demonstrate any way you can.
If there just isnt time between sports, drinking and essays, use the holidays to do internship placements instead of slobbing around in your pjs. Try freelancing if you prefer the flexibility.
I cannot stress how much easier your graduate life will be if you work while at uni.
Good luck with your cover letters!
InternInBooks
Your second or third attempt at freshers week is over, I hope it was even more successful than the first time round. You've probably had a chance to meet all your lecturers and had a chance to decide which seminars you will be avoiding. *curse you 9am lectures!*
This is the year that really starts to matter. In most cases, from now on, all of your grades count towards your final result. This is also the time to do all the fun things you always wanted to do because next year all your free time will be spent in 24hr Libraries and cafes trying to squeeze 10000 words into a dissertation.
My best advice that I can give you at this early stage in the year is to get a job. Any job. Preferably one that pays you, probably as a barista or in a shop. Your second year is all about building your CV while you have time and resources on your side.
There isn't a ticket into the job market. A levels, degree, good grade, respectable university, they're all just the building blocks of your CV and you need more. Start demonstrating what you want to do. If you don't know what to do, do things you like so that your CV reflects who you are. Having that first job or two will give you that much leverage once you graduate.
You might have spent most of your student loan on a bass guitar (you know who you are), but you can still survive on ramen noodles until Christmas. If you can live without a paying job, get an internship or placement in the industry you prefer. Sometimes this is hard to do in your university town.
I know about publishing, because that is what I wanted to do, so I can only advise on that, but it applies to everyone really. I was amazed once I got to London that there were at least three places I could have worked while at uni and I had no idea, because I never looked. Start your research NOW. look for work in your university town and at home.
My greatest regret is that I didn't do more to prepare for the real world while at Uni. Bills, rent, learning to drink jager without dying, all good lessons. But what I really should have been doing is writing for my uni magazine, working in the SU, building a blog! Anything to prove to my employers that I want to be in their industry. In publishing the consistent item on a job description is that the candidate must 'demonstrate their passion for books'. So go demonstrate any way you can.
If there just isnt time between sports, drinking and essays, use the holidays to do internship placements instead of slobbing around in your pjs. Try freelancing if you prefer the flexibility.
I cannot stress how much easier your graduate life will be if you work while at uni.
Good luck with your cover letters!
InternInBooks
Thursday, 8 May 2014
A Start In Books
Hi!
This is where I blog about the experience of being an English graduate trying to get a job, the internship journey, and the books I'm reading along the way. I might also use it to review films, discuss media stories, or anything else I'm interested in.
I am playing a tough numbers game. I've worked as an intern in a few different departments and I know that being in the editorial department of a publishing company is where I really want to be. But my main criteria for a job would be to keep me focused and busy and to have books that I want to read at my fingertips. So really as long as I am at a trade publishers, I'll get exposure to that.
In order to get that dream job, you need experience. Unfortunately earnest desperation doesn't work in publishing and sometimes internships don't work either. I've learnt that you have to be at the right place at the right time, which means choosing the right internships.
This is the route I've chosen into publishing. When I started out I asked around my family and my friends and my university to see if anyone could really give me the contact I needed for a job. But almost all my internships have come from my own perseverance and determination.
I'll go into more detail as the blog develops, there is so much to talk about and I can't wait. I want to show what I am reading and doing and working on and to create a scrapbook of my bookish quarter-life crisis.
This is me. I'm a publishing intern. And I'm just getting started.
Friday, 19 October 2012
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