After reading Careers in Media, I've obtained mixed feelings with finding a career in the media industry, but mostly gaining hope. The first sentence of the chapter mentions the expanding media field and how there has become a wide variety of opportunities. However, although there's a wider range in career paths, it seems to be more competitive than ever! The first chapter gives readers the gist of what to expect when pursuing a career in the media and tells us about the different career categories we may be able to look into.
In all honesty, reading this book made me a little nervous when it came to financial stability. I do know, however, that working with media is something I really want to do, and that drive is what keeps me going. I also won't be graduating for another semester or year. Even though I feel like that is a lot of time, those next semesters will definitely fly by and be done before I know it.
As for a plan of action, I'm currently in the process of waiting back for responses on summer internships I've applied to. Kind of nerve-racking because I haven't heard back yet, but I'm still in the process of looking around, too. I'm not 100% positive on what field I'll likely be pursuing, but pursuing a career in the music/entertainment journalism field is on top of my list (think working with Entertainment Tonight, Access Hollywood, E!, old-school TRL, etc.). To get there, I've been applying to editorial internships for entertainment magazines and websites, as well as music magazines like Billboard. If interning doesn't work out for me during the summer, I'm planning on looking into volunteering for websites that'll allow me to write for them or possibly start a blog that can show my interest in entertainment and music along with building up writing samples. I've also been searching internship and career websites on a daily basis. (I search ed2010.com, entertainmentcareers.net, and company websites daily).
Networking is also key to landing a good job or internship. Obtaining connections and meeting people from different companies who can possibly help you out is definitely important and a good perk. Hopefully within these coming months, I'll make more connections which can help me land an internship for the fall or spring 2016 semester.
As Drake once rapped, "Started from the bottom, now we're here." To reach the top of success, I need to work my way up, by interning, volunteering, and applying to entry-level jobs, letting me get my foot in the door. When I do feel like I've reached that "point," it'll be much more rewarding knowing how much work I put into it.
I definitely understand anxiety over financial stability, a lot of entry-level positions are low paid, but the more internship experience you get, the better positions you are qualified for so definitely keep applying! And music journalism is an AWESOME field, there are a lot of start up blogs and companies that do music blogging and music recaps for concerts and shows, plus you get to go to free shows for WORK! definitely go for it!
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