So, here’s my story.
I’m an intern at a regional state magazine - essentially, I’m the fact-checker. I’ve been here since I graduated college last May, and it was supposed to be a year-long internship. As such, I am now looking for my first “real” job in this industry.
I completed three previous internships at NJ-based trade magazines and a local newspaper in addition to four years as staff writer/features editor at my college paper, and have done some freelancing on the side. In my internships, I was interviewing, writing, editing, and doing no administrative work at all.
I live in NJ, and am excited by the prospect of getting into the city. I’ve been job hunting for months now, knowing that my position at this magazine is only temporary. I managed to land one interview at Bauer, and turned down the second interview because I would be making coffee, picking up lunches, and filling copy machines all day.
I also managed to get an interview at a local county magazine, where I would be paid well (for this industry), receive full benefits, make my own hours, and above all, I’d be doing most of the writing (cover stories, news, features, etc), some layout, arranging photo shoots, etc. You know, the good stuff…the stuff I’ve been wanting to do all along.
The question is…if I am offered the position at this small magazine in New Jersey, do I take it? I really think I would be happy there, and yet part of me is worried that if I don’t take advantage of my youth and limited responsibility now and get into NYC, when will I? I also wonder if this experience will mean anything…do editors care if you have LOTS of relevant editorial experience at lesser known publications, or do they just want to see “Conde Nast” on your resume, even if you’re just answering the phones?
As I’ve been searching for a job, I’ve become more and more disillusioned with this industry and what I would need to do to get ahead. I don’t want to be a secretary, and I realize that some of that stuff will be necessary, but I just feel that life is too short to be miserable. I’ve never worked in the city before and don’t know what to expect - I think I have some glamorous idea of what working at a NYC magazine is like, so I don’t want to give up a perfectly good opportunity in NJ and be disappointed with some EA job in the city where I would be a glorified administrative assistant.
Any thoughts would be very, very appreciated.
The truth is...
Big name mag jobs beget more big name mag jobs. Having lots of editorial tasks at a small place may help you land spots at national mags, but it’s not as much of a guarantee as you’d have if you worked at one of those national mags. It’s true that EAs at some big-name mags are glorified admin assistants, but I’ve never seen a talented assistant be denied editorial opportunities if they go after them. Sure, the admin stuff has to come first, but if national mags are your goal, then you should work at a national mag, no matter what your tasks will be to start. Definitely take your immediate happiness into consideration (a bitchy boss who will torture you is probably never worth it), but don’t forget to consider your long-term aspirations.
This job sounds like an
This job sounds like an excellent opportunity and you should totally go for it! The experience will look great on your resume — better than being just a gopher at a CN publication. I think it would be a great stepping stone for you for a couple of years and then you can move onto a glamorous job in NYC if you want. Continue working on building up your clips as a freelancer on the side to get your name out there!
I say go for the job in NJ!
I say go for the job in NJ! It sounds like you would be doing all of the things you have aspired to do. NYC is glamorous on TV, but the reality is it’s just a dirty city if you are broke and unhappy.
Do what you think is right for you, and remember, all that glitters isn’t gold.
Hope that helps!