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Entry Level Writing Jobs
January 26, 2007 by morgan sYou don’t have to pen the great American novel to have a successful career as a writer. There are a lot of entry level writing jobs you can consider including freelance writing, technical writing and even positions as editors. If you’re interested in transforming your love of writing into a career, an entry level writing job may be your key to success.
One of the hardest parts of becoming a professional writer is figuring out how to get started. It’s important to develop sustainable clips of your writing which can be used to promote your creative abilities. Articles from your college newspaper or any other publication are tremendous resources for the up and coming writer. Don’t have any published pieces? Consider blogging for a web site as a good way to get started building up your clips for an entry level writing job.
Editors actually do get the opportunity to write quite a bit in their profession. A good entry level writing job as an Editorial Assistant can open up an array of opportunities to flex your creative muscle at a publication. As with most assistant positions, you’ll probably spend a decent amount of your day photocopying and filing, but most magazines will give you the chance to show what your writing is made of.
If you have a talent for translating technical words into layman’s terms than an entry level writing job as a Technical Writer might be what you’re looking for. Technical writers can specialize in writing about technology for those outside the technical field, composing promotional material for hi-tech companies or drafting pieces for a tech-savvy crowd. Knowledge of Desktop Publishing, FrameMaker and Microsoft Word are helpful computer skills when it comes to this entry level writing job. A portfolio is vital in the technical writing field as well, so volunteer to construct something for a non-profit organization or try to locate a professional technical writer who would be interested in letting you assist on an assignment. Advertisements for entry level writing jobs as Technical Writers can be listed under such headings as “Associate Writer,” “Junior Writer” or even “College Hire.”
The median salary for entry level Technical Writers as of May 2004 was $42, 500. The average for writers for the same time period was around $44, 350. Keep in mind that these entry level writing jobs don’t include unsalaried positions such as freelance writers, who have a lot more say on what they write about but don’t have the same financial security as salaried writers.
Entry level writing jobs can be extremely fulfilling for the right candidate. If you want to earn a living through the written word, than these positions can help you get started. Just make sure you have plenty of clips to demonstrate your writing ability! -
Entry Level Publishing Jobs
by morgan sWhen you pick up a book by your favorite author or your favorite magazine, you probably don’t realize the amount of people with entry level publishing jobs who helped get those publications into the marketplace. Editorial, sales, publicity, marketing and subrights are all assistant positions available at most book or magazine publishers. These entry level publishing jobs are an integral part of the publication process.
Editorial Assistants need to posses strong writing and proofreading skills, but be prepared to spend some time answering phones and making photocopies. If writing is not really your thing, but you’re really good in the areas of marketing, researching or working with the public you could be an essential part of a magazine’s Circulation Department. Entry level publishing jobs can also be found through the Art or Advertising Department of a publication. Advertising Assistants get to sell advertising space in the magazine, so it requires a real people person who knows how to promote the publication to potential advertisers.
Publicity Assistants work on helping to promote a book by sending out preview copies of the text, arranging interviews for the author and organizing book release events. This entry level publishing job can be a great initial step towards a career as a Publicity Director. If you’re more interested in the actual construction of a book, you might consider an entry level publishing job as a Production Assistant. They get to work alongside binders, designers and typographers to help decide the artistic look and appeal of the book.
Copy editors are an important component in the world of publishing. They routinely scan written material for any necessary corrections or alterations regarding grammar, style, usage and spelling. This entry level publishing job is also responsible for keeping an eye out for any instances of libel in the text. Copy editors do get the chance to write headlines and captions, but for the most part do not get any real writing assignments. Despite this, most publishers want their copy editors to come from a writing or journalism back ground. After all, you have to know how to write well before you can expect to catch other people’s writing mistakes.
Salaries in publishing are just as varied as the entry level publishing jobs themselves. A lot depends upon the publishing house or magazine you work at. An average salary for an Editorial Assistant is around $28, 000, while a Circulation Assistant can make close to $30, 000. Copy editors are sometimes paid hourly around $10 to $12 an hour to almost $25 an hour for freelancers.
Entry level publishing jobs are a great way to get that first foot in the door of the publishing industry. There can be a lot of competition for these jobs because they appeal to many college graduates with a variety of majors. If you’re truly passionate about the written word and can think on your feet, than an entry level publishing job might be a good avenue to explore. -
Entry Level Paralegal Position
by morgan sEntry level paralegal positions are a good way to break into the exciting field of law. They get to provide the backup for lawyers and attorneys in a variety of fields from corporate legal departments to government offices to your more standard law firms. In fact, many entry level paralegal positions perform the same tasks as lawyers, but legally are prohibited from taking on any activities which constitute the actual practice of law including setting fees, arguing cases in court and dispensing legal advice.
Entry level paralegal positions require candidates with strong computer skills. The profession utilizes specific software packages to dig through legal documents, track billing information and manage database systems. If you want training in order to land an entry level paralegal position, there are several community colleges which offer a 2 year associate’s degree or a 4 year bachelor’s degree paralegal program. You can also opt to spend only a few months in training by going after a paralegal certificate. These programs provide more specialized and intensive training, especially for those already holding a college degree.
If you secure an entry level paralegal position, you can expect to be conducting interviews with clients, drafting petitions, handling trial dockets, performing legal research and being present at the execution of real estate closings, wills as well as court hearings. Although the typical work day for an entry level paralegal position can be from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. be prepared for periods of intensive overtime. Paralegals are generally well compensated for these bouts of extra time through bonuses and sometimes are even paid time and a half for overtime.
The expected job growth rate for entry level paralegal positions is strong through 2014 because many corporations and other agencies will hire paralegals instead of attorneys in an attempt to reduce costs. The average salary for an entry level paralegal position is around $39, 130, which includes bonuses. Salary rates can vary based on location, training, type of employer and experience.
If you’re looking for a career in law, but not ready to juggle more than three years of law school, an entry level paralegal position might be a good fit. The paralegal profession will remain a booming industry full of opportunity for the right kind of dedicated individual. -
That’s Entertainment
by morgan sEntertainment entry level jobs are frequently overlooked because so many want instant fame and fortune. Just as with any other career, building a strong resume and lists of credentials can help you reach your dream of making it in the entertainment business. The list of entertainment entry level jobs is surprisingly extensive ranging from positions in radio, television, public relations, movies and theater.
As an Assistant Publicist, you’ll gain valuable experience helping a Publicist construct press kits, keep track of media contacts and learning what it takes to promote clients. Another entertainment entry level job you could try your hand at is a Production Assistant which requires you to help with film/video production, handling correspondence and managing databases. Agents may sometimes get a bad rap, but they are a necessary fixture of showbiz. Working as an Agent’s Assistant or as an Agent Trainee is a good entertainment entry level job. Both positions offer excellent opportunities to develop relationships with directors, producers, television and radio networks while learning valuable skills necessary for industry success.
An entertainment entry level job as a Radio Promotions Assistant can get you one step closer to a career in radio. Your responsibilities will include ordering CDs, keeping track of radio contests and coordinating artist phone-in segments. If music production is your field of interest, why not try to find an entertainment entry level job as a Production/Editing Assistant? You can help edit, write and produce original tracks.
There are important resources for job seekers looking for entertainment entry level jobs, so make sure you check out the industry or trade newspapers as well as more traditional want ads. Keep in mind that the average salary for entertainment entry level jobs is around $300 to $500 a week. In this business, the experience and contacts you gain in addition to the monetary compensation is far more valuable. -
Entry Level Fashion Jobs
by morgan sTrends in fashion change with the seasons, but entry level fashion jobs are a mainstay of the industry. It’s almost surprising the list of entry level fashion jobs out there; some you might not even think incorporate fashion into their work. Of course, there are opportunities as designers, but what about becoming a Fashion Event Planner or Image Consultant? You could even become a Personal Shopper. All of these jobs are directly connected to the fashion industry.
The best way to set off on the path towards becoming a Fashion Designer is to get an entry level fashion job as a Design Room Assistant. As an assistant, you will keep track of various fabrics and manage sample boards. A certificate of proficiency from a quality vocational school is usually the best qualification for this entry level fashion job.
You can also go after a second-level certificate which will then allow you to pursue an entry level fashion job as an Assistant Designer. Assistant Designers are routinely called upon to construct initial samples or patterns for designs, create theme boards and place fabric orders. You need to have a keen eye for fabrics and colors as well as being able to work productively with a team. This is a great entry level fashion job because you get a first hand look at what it takes to be a Fashion Designer.
Fashion Event Planners get to put together fashion extravaganzas to increase name recognition for a certain brand or retailer. They produce everything from trunk shows to book signings to even charity fashion shows. Personal Shopper is another great entry level fashion job because you can translate your love of shopping into a platform for a career in the fashion industry. You can work for companies, individuals, retailers or even get your feet wet by working for an Image Consultant. If you’re still in school, becoming a Personal Shopper can help you get some experience under your fashion belt. Just start looking for business or place an ad in the kind of magazine or newspaper that caters to your proposed clientele.
The world of fashion can be a tough marketplace to break into. These entry level fashion jobs can provide you with a stepping stone towards breaking into that world. -
Freelancing, But Not For Free
December 14, 2006 by morgan sI’m currently working my way towards earning my Master’s Degree in English and Publishing so I can become a top editor someday. Part of what I’ve discovered through this academic process is that I truly enjoy the writing aspect of the publishing field. Who would have thought I’d be getting more satisfaction by constructing articles and even blogs than learning about the underbelly of publishing?
I have been bitten by the “Freelancing Bug.” I now feel the deep-seated urge to pitch story ideas, conduct an insane amount of research and schedule interviews. If I could make my living as a journalist, I would. I’ve actually taken it upon myself to partner up with a fellow freelancer in a decided effort to appeal to a wider range of magazines.
The idea is really pretty simple. By joining forces, the two of us have a broader background when it comes to expertise. It doesn’t hurt that we genuinely like and respect each other. Freelancing is a labor intensive career choice, mainly because of all the effort one has to put in to even securing a paying assignment. You have to continually flood the industry with queries and credentials to the point where you almost don’t have time to actually write the commissioned articles!
Now, you might be thinking that it’s slightly counterproductive to work with someone whom I’m technically competing with for jobs. The fact is, our partnership functions more as a support system rather than an assignment pitfall. If she books a job that I don’t, it only leads to increasing our collective credibility. Last night, I actually presented both of our resumes to a local golf magazine. She probably has more relevant experience regarding the sport since she just embarked on her own love affair with the game. The key to being a good freelancer though, is being able to write about anything, no matter how foreign to you, effectively. That’s why they invented research.
In the end, what truly matters is building up your publishing cred as a reliable freelancer. Editors will keep on booking you if you consistently meet deadlines and can be available in a pinch. If you can make a few friends along the way than that’s an added benefit. -
This Is The End
December 07, 2006 by morgan sSadly, I am almost ant the end of my magazine internship. I have been blogging, editing and posting for almost two whole months now. Where has the time gone? Although, it will be nice to get in a few extra zz’s in the morning (I did after all, have quite an extensive daily commute), I will miss coming in and working on the publication’s three web sites.
It’s usually around this time when we’re supposed to take a moment and reflect back on what we’ve learned. The ultimate goal of an internship is to give you not only a great item to add to your resume, but to offer a realistic vantage point into the career field of your choice. I took this position with the hope that I would become better acquainted with the publishing industry. Most of my other experience has been from the lens of a freelance writer. Working on a daily basis on a web site has allowed me unprecedented access to the realm of on line publishing.
Of course, it always helps to have a great editor training you. My chief supervisor runs three web sites for the publication with much grace. During my internship, she always took the time to explain assignments, but trusted me to complete the job with precision. I’ve learned more about html code, going through the backpage to update web blogs or event listings and even how to better prioritize my writing to provide the most succinct but at the same time informative (not to mention entertaining) pieces possible. Where else would you have the opportunity to lead a blog with a somewhat dated Loverboy reference?
All in all, I’m extremely satisfied with my internship. I feel that it has definitely upped my cache when it comes to working productively in the publishing world. The next step is to translate the skills gained from the internship into a full-time job at a publication. That kind of mass job searching endeavor is exactly what next semester is for! -
Working at Freelancing
November 26, 2006 by morgan sI am currently working on achieving my Master’s degree in Magazine Publishing in order to become a successful editor at a consumer publication. My main motivation for pursuing this degree was the genuine enjoyment I experience when composing an article with the intent of publication. It never really occurred to me with any intensity that what I should really be trying to make a go at is a career in freelance writing.
Freelancing can be quite a scary profession to undertake. Not only are you basically your own boss and therefore responsible for making sure you meet all deadlines and get the work done, but you are in complete control of your income. After my time being jobless and not knowing how I was going to come up with money for the rent, the idea of not having a steady income is a bit intimidating. It also concerns me that because I would not be directly attached to any particular magazine or publishing house that I would have to pay out of pocket for medical insurance. All of these concerns seemed to override my desire to write.
Of course, becoming a freelancer is also an extremely time consuming endeavor. It’s like a never ending job hunt because you consistently have to “apply” for new jobs at various publications. You, in essence, have to continually sell and promote yourself. I actually do work on occasion as a paid freelance writer, mostly for NV (New Visions in Business) Magazine. In fact, I just finished a feature length article for the publication regarding three entrepreneurs who somehow find the time to give back to the community. I was even commissioned to execute the interview for the cover story. Here’s the thing, though. NV always assigns me article topics: I never have to pitch a story idea. On the positive side, NV keeps coming back to me because they know I’m reliable and can write pretty well. That is the hope of every freelancer; to find a publication that keeps coming back to you for work because they like your style.
Recently, in my Magazine Publishing class, a professional writer came in to speak to the class regarding how to make a living at freelancing. He’s written several successful books and countless magazine articles. I actually learned a lot from listening to him break down the process of freelancing. It was like suddenly coming across a thorough job description for a position you were initially clueless regarding the credentials. Now, with my newfound illuminated gaze upon the world of freelancing, I feel much more confident about pitching a story idea to a publication. I now even have a better idea of what stories might fit different magazines. Our guest speaker was also kind enough to e-mail me some sample query letters (letters sent to a magazine or literary agent trying to pitch a story idea). With these samples in hand, I will have a variable blueprint for success as a freelance writer.
My dream is still unwavering and I feel confident that I will someday become an Editor in Chief of a consumer publication. I now have renewed confidence regarding my ability to procure a living by writing articles for publication. I know I’ll deal with a lot of rejection; such is the way of life in the world of publishing. The more I try however, the more likely I will meet with success by steadily submitting query letters. It’s all about building up your writing portfolio and your freelancing reputation. -
Getting Experience As Press
November 14, 2006 by morgan sI feel like Jimmy Olsen from Superman. Not because I’m an excitable sidekick to Lois and Clark, but rather because I finally got to don the proverbial press hat. This past Wednesday, I was asked to attend a press event at the Franklin Institute here in Philadelphia. The corporate partners for the King Tut exhibit, which will be premiering at the Institute in February of next year, were distributing several free tickets to the Egyptian retrospective to local school children.
Of course, the day started off with a gigantic rainstorm, which I had to navigate through to get to the event. Upon my arrival, I made sure to take the time and squeeze any excess water off my clothing and hair. I dug out my handy dandy reporter’s notebook, which had been given to me by one of my uncles. When the doors were finally open, I was initially just happy to be inside where it was warm and much more dry.
Each of the contributors to the exhibit had a representative say a few words before the tickets were handed out. The kids even got to accept the tickets while wearing King Tut headdresses. I took several pictures as well as notes for the web blog I knew I had to compose. Once the event was completed, I hoped in a taxi and headed back to the office. I labored over my synopsis and had a little bit of trouble uploading the pictures, but in the end, it all came together.
Covering the event was very exciting for me because although I have written countless articles and conducted numerous interviews, I had never formally covered an event as a member of the press core. That experience was exactly why I wanted to intern at a magazine. I feel more confident regarding my reporting abilities and it is always nice to have something to show for it. I think Jimmy Olsen would concur. -
Practice Makes Close To Perfect
November 02, 2006 by morgan sI have been known, on occasion to take on quite a lot of responsibility. It’s not that I’m gluten for punishment or anything so dramatic as that. I just want to help out others when they are in need of assistance. The other motivation behind my near overextension is that I do not want to pass up a good opportunity when it comes my way.
The way I figure it; we can always learn something new or get better at what we are already good at. Practice does make your abilities sharper and more refined. In my case, I always jump at the opportunity to write an article especially if it involves conducting an interview. I had agreed to write an article for NV New Visions in Business Magazine, who I had written for numerous times in the past. Over, the weekend, I interviewed the last subject for my feature article. I had conducted an extensive and extremely pleasant interview with one of the subjects for the piece almost two weeks earlier. My editor came to me and asked for a favor. She was not going to be able to conduct the interview for the cover piece and wondered if I could handle it. I agreed and also took the time to interview the subject for our cover story the same day as the aforementioned interview.
I finally finished writing and rewriting the 2, 000 word feature on Halloween of all days. The piece was due to my editor on November 1st, so I made it just in time. I was relieved to get it done because I felt worn out. I was looking forward to a break, when another opportunity presented itself. I got asked to write another piece for the local arts & entertainment publication, Ticket. I really enjoy writing for Ticket, but with the turnaround time for the article, I had to start working on it right away. I’m trying to schedule the interviews for tomorrow and will hopefully compose the piece by the middle of next week. It’s officially due on November 10th.
So, what have we learned? Every chance you get offered is definitely worth considering. Even if you’re already an ace at something, you can always get better. Besides, you never know whom you’ll end up meeting as a result of taking the extra initiative. Networking can happen when you least expect it.
