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Magazine Journalist

Magazine journalists research and write news and feature articles suited to a magazine's reader profile. The readership of a magazine is often defined by a common need or interest. Most magazines fall into one of four categories:

business;
professional;
consumer;
specialist consumer.

Magazine editors commission writing and illustrative material by others and generally work with longer deadlines and longer lead-in times than other areas of journalism.

The three main branches of magazine journalism are news writing, feature writing and sub-editing. Although generally in paper format, many magazine publishers also produce material in new media (for instance, CD, web, or audio).

Typical work activities

The work can vary considerably depending on the size of the organisation and the subject matter covered by the publication. It can also vary depending on the medium through which the magazine is produced. Typical work activities include:

researching a subject and story;
talking to people;
atttending seminars, conferences and fairs;
generating ideas for stories;
meeting with colleagues to plan the content of the edition and the character of the publication.

A freelance will also spend time networking and building relationships with publications and their staff.

A commissioning editor will also be involved in:

monitoring the work of others.
Producing text that reads well and that is in keeping with the mood of the readership is important, but generating interesting ideas for subjects to cover is probably more significant overall.

On smaller magazines, the role might include all of these activities, while in a larger team the role will probably be more strictly defined. Some magazine publishers also hold exhibitions and events to allow advertisers to meet their readership.

For those entering the profession at graduate level, job titles will include staff writer, graduate writer and journalism trainee. Salaries range from £10,000 - £15,000 (salary data collected August 04).

For those with some experience, salaries are often negotiable, depending on the level of experience. Senior staff such as senior staff writer, sub editor or features editor usually earn between £20,000 and £35,000 (salary data collected August 04).

For those working for the biggest publications, or who become editor in chief of a magazine, salaries can be anything from £30,000 to £50,000+ (salary data collected August 04).

· Salary levels depend mainly on the location, size, and popularity of the magazine. Salaries in London and the South-East are generally higher, and opportunities more plentiful. The experience and ability of the candidate will also influence pay. These factors also affect freelance salaries.

· Copy deadlines may mean irregular hours; this is not a nine to five job. Unsocial hours are common and it is sometimes necessary to subordinate your private life to the calls of the job. News happens irregularly, but media coverage appears regularly, and deadlines have to be met. However, part-time work and career breaks are possible.

· There is the opportunity to meet a wide variety of people outside the organisation but long hours, tight deadlines, and writing for the public domain can be stressful.

· The magazine industry is largely (although not exclusively) based in London and the South-East. Women are well represented on consumer magazines. Business magazines reflect the business sectors they serve.

· With much of magazine journalism now being outsourced, freelancing is more common (up to 80% of magazine copy is written by freelances). Many people make successful careers as freelance magazine journalists, contributing pieces to a wide variety of publications. Freelances can operate from a variety of locations.

· There is frequent travel within the working day and occasional absence from home at night. Overseas work and travel is not uncommon.

Information taken from Prospects www.prospects.ac.uk for more information

Courses

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College
Exeter College (2)
East Devon College (2)
University College Falmouth (2)
Cornwall College Camborne (2)
Cornwall College St Austell (2)
Bournemouth University Media School (2)
Plymouth College of Art and Design (1)
College of St Mark and St John (Marjon) (1)
Penwith College (1)
Yeovil College (1)
Truro College (1)
Cornwall College, Newquay (1)

Qualification
BA (Hons) (5)
Foundation Degree (5)
A Level (4)
AS (4)
Other (2)
Access to HE (1)

Subject
Media (18)
Multimedia (1)