Tips and tricks into the getting experience in the media industry – Part One

This month of August, I will be blogging about careers in media and how you can find yourself working in the field of dreams. That’s if you dream of working in media If not then you can use my next few blogs and apply it to whatever field you dream about working in post-graduation.

So if you are reading this blog, then you are either

1. Thinking about studying Media and Communications
2. Already studying Media and Communications and somehow stalked me stumbled your way onto this page
3. You want to eventually work one day in the media industry

From the media experts and professionals I have spoken to, they always stress one key component for being successful in the industry. Experience. Lots and lots of experience. As much as you can get. In this crappy economy we live in, unpaid work experience and internships are becoming the norm. If it’s just for a week or two, try and get experience working within the media field whether that is journalism, marketing, advertising or production.

Unpaid experience does have its disadvantages but look at it in the positive way. Unpaid means they can recruit more people than paid, and if you fit in well, then they will notice you stand out and they will keep in contact with you, that is if you maintain the relationship and chase them up. The money can come in after, when you will need it to survive after you graduate.

As I said, you have to make sure you email and stay in contact with the company once you get the placement. Ask how they are doing, if you can come back and how they got into the company when they started. Don’t pester, but send an email a couple times each year just to know how keen you are to want to work for them and want to stay in touch.

Furthermore, in this day and age, finding success in your career is more about who you know, rather than what you know. Networking is vital, and this can be done easily. Living in 2013 means everything is digital. LinkedIn is a business-oriented social networking site, so like Facebook but discovering professional opportunities and professionals. This can help your network of contacts and is becoming a common tool in such a fast paced, moving industry.

One last thing to mention. It is absolutely fine if you are still unsure about the area you want to enter in media. Everyone feels the same way. I am twenty years old and I still don’t know which area of media I would most be interested in.

In my next blog, I will be outlining the places you should be looking for media placements to build up your CV with tons of media experience.

Enjoy the summer!