HIV volunteering leading to a career in journalsim Marcel Wiel schedule and work pattern and contact an editor when you know he or she won’t be busy with a timely proposal for an article that will make for a good fit with their publication. Make it easy for them to say yes – and then deliver on time. If you get the chance for some work experience, approach it with very clear goals of what you want to achieve during your placement. So if it’s on a weekly listings magazine, aim to come away with two or three pieces to your name, e.g. a book review, a TV programme preview and a byline on a news piece. This may involve networking, so be bold and go around and introduce yourself. Find out who’s responsible for which section and ask them if you could do some work for them. Most commissioning editors are normally open to giving a chance to someone who shows willing and seems reliable. And who knows? You might get a job offer at the end of it. You just never know. Some large media organisations have formal intern programmes. Although these are great if you can get on to one, the competition for places on them is fierce and they may not suit someone who doesn’t have a standard academic and early career background. If you decide to give journalism a go, expect some industry insiders to try to put you off. “Competition is too tough for a limited number of jobs,” they’ll say, or “you don’t have the right prior experience.“Smile politely, then ignore them. It’s just their opinion and it needn’t be your reality. The key ingredients for success are persistence and focus. Don’t give up. 24
Tips for budding journalists Sign up for an accredited journalism course (see National Union of Journalists website) Create your own website; write for it often and blog Aim to be an expert on a subject (some advise the more obscure the topic, the better, although the objective is to build up a credible body of work) Maintain a contacts file (start with people on your course, include lecturers) Get to know one or two publications very well, especially their production cycle Keep in touch with editors, but keep it brief Pitch ideas for articles often (in pitch say why piece would work in target publication? which section? how many interviews/quotes? will you supply pictures and/or illustrations? how many words will be supplied? delivered for when? Aim for two paragraphs – clear, concise and accurate) Don’t work for free
Editorial jobs in journalism Reporter and/or feature writer - researches and writes articles Editor – commissions articles Subeditor – fact checks, spell checks and re-writes articles and writes headlines Layout sub – organises (lays out) articles on page Photographer – photojournalism possible sideline
For further details of Marcel’s new book please visit: www.findloveinagaybathhouse.com