By the end of this assessment I should have decided what kind of journalist do I want to be. Almost there. Before being a journalist, it is important to figure out what features, skills and knowledge he should possess of. Earlier I have mentioned, that a good journalist is a good psychologist. This is true, otherwise journalists wouldn’t be able to talk to people in the way they should, to get necessary information, and, simply, to do their job. So, what a journalist (in my opinion) should be?
Friendly/Sociable. People that usually get on well with other people are friendly. Nobody would want to tell you anything if you are angry and irritable. A friendly person easily makes contacts, which means information (the most wanted catch for a journalist) becomes more accessible.
Intelligent. This feature is necessary to actually know, what kind of information is necessary, and what kind is rubbish. In simple words, intelligence helps a journalist to understand people and who are right people to talk to.
Cunning. Flows from the previous one. Possessing of knowledge about information might seem to be enough, but, in fact, it is not. The final step in this section of “How to be a successful journalist according to Marija” is actually knowing, how to get an access to the wanted information. This might include some research, which is also a part from this job.
However, a journalist’s job is very demanding, and even appropriate skills and knowledge are not enough. One of the basic steps of actually being a journalist is actually observe other journalists working. Fortunately, in 21st century this doesn’t require much – it is quite enough to just open your laptop and start reading. What do I need to read to become a journalist I wish?
As I have mentioned earlier, my dream is to work in a magazine like i-D. It is obvious that reading it and other magazines as Vogue (as i-D was created by it’s former art director), Harper’s Bazaar and more modern magazines as Interview, NYLON, Dazed&Confused (that are nowadays are defined as “indie fashion magazines”). By the way, most of the actual magazines’ articles are available online now, so there is no need in buying them.
Almost every publication now has an account on Twitter, so following them there wouldn’t bother, either. For me, personally, this would be even more convenient, since I am the type of the person that is on the run most of the time. I could check out articles on Twitter, “like” it, and later, when I have more time to settle down, actually read the whole piece. Later, when I get deeper in every magazine, I could figure out particular journalists, in whose work I would be interested. But for now, here is a list of Twitter links that are useful for me (for now):
Luckily, the Journalism course at the University of Westminster offers several options on different directions. One of the most important for my professional development plan would be Creating Modern Magazines module, since I really wish to run my own magazine in future. I’m still doubting about the other modules, but it might be Specialist Journalism 1 (Fashion Journalism), Creativity or, probably, Cultural Industries and Media Markets. I still have some time to decide, but I feel that I am thinking in the right direction.
The thing that would help for sure is placement. I’m not sure if it is real, but I’ll try my best to get into one of the magazines I have mentioned in this post. If not, just any other publication – to start my journalist’s career.
Happy Hunger Games, and may the odds be ever in my favor.
The Diary of a London Newbie 