The master class was a last-minute trip to London for the Fashion Journalism girls at Sunderland. The trip cost £40 altogether and was based at the Sunderland University campus in Canary Wharf, London.
We were all at a huge priveledge as we got to meet some very inspiring ladies from within the industry. The lovely ladies were as follows:
- Rachel Richardson - Editor of Fabulous magazine
- Hannah Almassi - Deputy Fashion News and Features editor at Grazia
- Hattie Crisell - A free-lance journalist who has worked for many many people!
- Louise Gannon - A showbiz journalist who writes mostly for Elle and Grazia
The ladies each gave their own advice on getting into the industry and tips on getting there. Therefore, I thought I would share some they mentioned:
- Lots of experience is essential
- Good attitude - on time, enthusiastic and positive
- Ask for advice
- Read a variety of different things
- Understand different journalistic styles
- Be prepared to step out of your comfort zone
- Make the most of internships
- Be inquisitive
- Be friendly
- Keep in touch with your contacts - you might need them one day!
- Be prepared for rejection
- Network with others
- Be sensitive towards others
- Suggest stories to newspapers/pitch your own ideas
- Know a broad variety of news
- Work as a team
- Be prepared to organise your life around your career
- Proof-read all your work
- Present yourself as confident (even if you're not)
- Look presentable
- Make a statement during an interview
- Remain yourself
- Know your favourite writers
- Accept that you will make mistakes, but you will NEVER make them again.
- Everyone you know is a contact
- Phone people/talk in person. Never e-mail, it's an open-ticket for people to not reply.
- Shorthand is essential
- Aim to have a "FUCK ME DORIS" tagline (long story!)
- If you're not the right person for the job, accept that someone else will do it.
- Learn from others
- No two people write the same
- Keep your social footprint clean
- And last but not least, NEVER GIVE UP.
I hope you find their tips as helpful as I did! After the master class, we went for a spot of shopping in Camden and then caught the busiest train home EVER. Sitting on the floor with a drunken Sunderland man is definitely not my favourite past time!
Here's a silly picture of me trying to escape to Hogwarts:
Thankyou for reading!
Ciao xx
Haha, I have pretty much exactly the same photo next to platform 9 3/4. So many people watching though...
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Haha tell me about it, too obsessed with Harry Potter not to get a photo though! xx
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