And what a year it’s been. This time last year I was preparing for my second work experience stint; my first at a proper glossy magazine (the health & beauty magazine Top Santé.) I’m not going to lie it was tough, my first time in a magazine office and I was covering the editorial assistant.  

Each magazine had a slightly different way of doing things, but by the end I felt like an old veteran to interning. When asked, can you do returns (fashion) yes, ever done a vox pop before (yes and I’m pretty speedy too – when you have to ask men in the street how much sex is enough, nothing can faze you!) I got my chance to write too, mostly online for Heat and Closer and features for P&B/M&B whilst compiling fashion pages such as steal her style for Heat. Tracking down Pixie Lott’s real dress for a page was a challenge, but an exciting one as I saw myself go to (then) unknown territory of Portobello Road in search of the must have item.

Interning sure made me wise up and fast. I’m creative, if not exactly practical, and interning pushed those insecurities aside. I learnt that whilst an editorial assistant does get to write, compile pages and generally do “editorial” things, they have to maintain order in the office. Answering the phones, tidying files, making tea… it’s an all-rounder job that comprises elements of admin as well as editorial.

Whilst I was disappointed I didn’t manage to snag a job on the job so to speak  I knew I could do it and couldn’t let my experience go to waste. Easier said than done you may say, when the amount of graduates is far greater than the number of jobs it can leave many of us out in the cold. Junior positions are hard to come by and are sometimes not advertised, so it’s a big case of luck, determination and pure pushiness.

In hindsight, maybe the reason why I didn’t snag a job at the mags was failing to stay at one publication. Jumping from one magazine to another adds to the CV but doesn’t give a chance for editors to get to know you and recognise your worth. At first for me, work experience was a way to plump up my CV but it soon became a means of getting a job.

Soon I realised I could not intern forever, whilst the goodies, celebs and fun offices were great – I had grown out of the role, I was ready for more responsiblity. I craved my own role, my own email address, my own office – and of course my own payslip.

So, long overdue I started to apply for jobs. Job hunting is not fun and quite frankly is pretty depressing. In these economical times the competition is tough, as whatever age you may be each unanswered application is still a brutal hit to the self-esteem. Temping as a receptionist, I very nearly gave up. Questioned by parents, so how many jobs have you applied for? Even, why don’t you apply for ‘normal’ jobs? But then what is a ‘normal’ job for an English literature graduate? Most of us want a creative, interesting job that we have trained and paid thousands of pounds for.

Luckily, I got an answer. I had an interview. And soon after, I was working as an editorial assistant for Touchline publishing. Getting paid for the first time is a feeling second to none. Doing something you love every day is great. Finally my hard work paid off. It wasn’t at one of the big magazines, but it’s a start. A good one at that, you can find that working for a smaller company you tend to get more responsiblity, working out better for you in the long run. Editorially I compile pages, write, research, and ensure the office runs smoothly. Many of the duties I undertake now, I did beforehand on my internships. Now, I look back and think of my interning as my training. I know, without that experience I wouldn’t have got my current job so I think it kinda justifies all that unpaid work.

Recently, a year after graduating my University friends and I have got jobs in the media, they may not be at nationals or big organisations but they are paid, starter jobs in the creative industry we want to be in. Proving that, even in these times we wannabes can get a job.

Have you had any success stories as an Intern? Perhaps you have bagged a job at one of the big magazines or a national paper? @ us or leave a comment and stayed tuned to Hacks for what we hope to be an exciting year!