Just a quick post today – have a read of this great interview which sums up the differences and similarities between book publishing and magazine publishing.
If you’re wondering which one would suit you better then this interview with Rosalind Moody who is Editorial Assistant at Aceville Publications might help you decide.
Or if you’re going for jobs in these fields then what she says might give you some great pointers for answering interview questions…
If you’re thinking about how to use the skills from your English Literature degree then think about using them online…
Digital media has a range of careers where skills and knowledge from an English Literature career could prove an advantage:
Have a look at this fascinating blog post from an English Literature graduate, about how she went from barista to editor by realising the potential of online media.
It has some great tips in it about getting started in this line of work – above all it emphasises the need to be proactive and determined:
“At first, I contacted everyone I knew and then, when that was unsuccessful, I contacted people I didn’t know. Before long, I was writing reviews for music blogs, content for clothes shops and blog posts for record labels…”
Read more about her story on the full blog post.
Also think about the potential of a career area like digital marketing. This is a growth area for Scotland and one in which employers are reporting a skills shortage. They have the jobs, they just need to find the people with the right skills, which could be you!
Digital marketing roles exist in areas like content management, social media, e-mail marketing, search engine optimisation and digital advertising.
Employers are looking for skills and attitudes rather than degree subject. In particular, they are looking for people who have an aptitude and an enthusiasm for digital media – perhaps you have set up your own blog, or marketed events for a student society using social media?
Have a look at our report on MyCareerHub called Insider News….Digital Marketing. This reports from a recent conference with a number of employers and talks about entry requirements and how to make your application stand out. Remember – digital marketing is likely to recruit by digital means!
Or have a look at some of the relevant employers in this field here in Edinburgh like DigitasLBi, Standard Life, Skyscanner and Amazon. Bubble Jobs is also a good vacancy website for opportunities in this field.
The Careers Service website also has an extensive section on Marketing if you want to read more about the field and how digital marketing fits within it.
And if you need more inspiration, as Emily Buchanan says in her blog post –
“Once I embraced change, everything started happening”
I’m sure you have already got a bit fed up of people saying ‘well done on your degree’ – and ‘what are you doing now?’. Probably in the same breath.
Even if you have a clear plan for next year it can still be a tad annoying. But if you don’t have a plan then it can become a question to dread…
If you are feeling a bit lost and unsure of what to do next (and wondering if everyone else has it all sorted) then think about joining an informal online session for finalists and graduates.
No plans? No clue? Get started now! is on Monday 6th July at 5pm – virtual room opens from 4.30pm onwards.
It’s an opportunity to challenge some myths around graduate recruitment and support you in starting out on your next steps as a graduate.
To take part simply go to the website for details of how to join in: http://www.ed.ac.uk/schools-departments/careers/news/noplans
Also remember that the Careers Service is open throughout the summer, and you can use our services for up to 2 years after graduation. We offer appointments by Skype as well, so you can still talk to a Careers Consultant even if you’ve moved out of Edinburgh.
And there is a wealth of information online to get you started thinking about your plans:
So next time someone asks you that favourite question for graduates, you’ll have started to formulate your answer!
If you’re a final year student looking for your next steps after graduation, or at an earlier stage of your degree looking for internships or work experience – then come along to EGRF 2015
Tuesday 26 May 2015 – 11am-4pm, Pleasance Sports Hall
But be prepared for the fair!
Did you know, employer take notes of students who make a positive first impression and may check these against applications they subsequently receive?
For help with how to prepare well and make the most of EGRF15, come along to our short (30 min) preparation session on Monday 25th May – no booking required.
1-1.30pm or 4-4.30pm, both in Appleton Tower Lecture Theatre 1
Get tips on how to introduce yourself, start a conversation and good questions to ask…
The Society of Young Publishers is an organisation set up to help people get into the publishing industry and progress in their careers. It’s a great source of advice and information and a fantastic way to network with students and professionals.
They run events throughout the year including Career Speed Dating and a panel event providing extensive advice about interning and work experience in the publishing industry.
This post is to let you know about an upcoming event:
With Harper Lee’s ‘Go Set a Watchman’ coming out this summer, SYP Scotland thought this was the perfect opportunity to watch the documentary
‘Hey, Boo: Harper Lee & ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’.
The event takes place on the 30th of April, beginning at 6.30pm in the Brass Monkey. It’s free for SYP members and there is a £3 entry fee for non-members.
Find it on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1569969676606328/
You can join the SYP here http://thesyp.org.uk/join-us/ at a reduced student price to receive free entry to events, which usually happen once a month.
Whether it be to work, volunteer or study getting international experience is a great way to spend your summer. Not only is it a great way to have fun, meet new people and possibly get a tan it is also a great way to boost your chances of getting a job after university.
To help you make the most of your time away the Careers Service has developed Taking Advantage of Time Away. This online, interactive site is designed to support you before, during and after your international experience. It will help you develop key employability skills and help you to use your time away to boost your chances of getting a job.
The site is designed so that it is not too time consuming, you can do a little bit at a time throughout your summer. You will really reap the benefits of devoting just a small amount of time to reflecting on your experience of being away.
You can access the site here: https://edinburghtata.wordpress.com/
Hopefully many of you attended the Creative Cultural Careers Festival (CCCF 2015) earlier this month. It was a week of fantastic events from across the creative and cultural sectors with industry experts giving their advice about what it takes to get ahead.
Today’s post is a digest of 2 of the brilliant talks I heard on the publishing industry.
Peggy Hughes, Programme Director of Literary Dundee spoke first. Her current role involves directing the Dundee Literary Festival and managing the Dundee International Book Prize, among many other things! The key points I took from her talk were:
The next speaker was Marion Sinclair who is Chief Executive of Publishing Scotland. Marion has 25 years of publishing experience including running a literary press awarded Sunday Times UK Small Publisher of the Year, and publishing books which have appeared on every literary prize list worth having! The key points I took from her talk were:
If this has got you thinking then have a look online at further resources about the publishing industry or come in to the Careers Service on the 3rd floor of the Main Library to talk to a Careers Consultant or have a look at further reference books and information.
Quill pens, tablets or a biro at the ready!
The Writer (thewriter.com), the world’s largest language consultancy is running a two-day workshop on 26th and 27th March 2015.
They are looking for 20 undergraduates who love writing to come and get inspired to write for a living. And if you’re really good, they might ask you to be one of two paid apprentices.
They’re looking for people who write for their course but also write in their spare time too, perhaps for a student paper, a blog or fiction. They want real passion for language and the written word…
If that’s you then start drafting now. You need to send 300 words telling them why they should pick you (and your contact details) to pickme@thewriter.com. Make sure ‘Word Experience’ and your name are in your subject line.
And the deadline is 1st March 2015.
Today’s post is a round-up of the many great internships that are out there for the taking at the moment. So grab your diary and see if you can fit in some of these new applications!
By 24 February
Want to do an internship abroad this summer? Saltire Internships have a fantastic range of international placements and applications have just RE-OPENED for a short time
Saltire has re-opened applications for their Summer 2015 Internship Programme, with further opportunities, many overseas. I posted on this before – it is a great opportunity for penultimate year students to gain paid international experience. Check out their website now – deadline for applications is 1pm on Tuesday 24th February.
By 25 February
Apply for an Employ.ed On Campus internship!
The university is opening its doors to paid student interns this summer. And if you want a way to stay in Edinburgh and gain some fantastic work experience, then look no further. There is a really broad range of roles and professional areas to choose from. Employ.Ed on Campus has over 40 paid opportunities throughout the university, open to second and third year students. Internships on offer include:
……the list goes on! Check out all the opportunities, and read about the experiences of previous interns via the Careers Service website and MyCareerHub
By 27 February
Want to work in a charity or social enterprise in the future?
Then you need to apply for a Third Sector Internship Scotland (TSIS) NOW…
Paid internships this summer to get a fantastic insight into the third sector while also developing your skills and experience. There are three different opening dates for applications, each open for 4 weeks:
Opportunities include film and video production, research, web development, festival management, fundraising and events, Fair Trade Marketing and Events, Education development, Social media. Find out more via MyCareerHub and the Third Sector Internship website.
Of course, many other internships are available! Have a look at what we are advertising now on MyCareerHub. In the Opportunities section try a keyword search for ‘internship’ or if you are keen to go abroad, why not filter the search by location and add the countries you wish to work in.
Further information on internships and work experience is also available on the Careers Service website, or why not come in and talk to a Careers Consultant.
And if you are off to start writing your applications then have a look at our advice online and don’t hesitate to make an appointment and bring a draft into the Careers Service for suggestions on how to improve it.
English Lit Careers Blog 