Every year thousands of grads try desperately to break into the media industry. But is it all it's cracked up to be? We find out more with an interview with an online editor who tells us what his career is really like.
Online editor and features writer, Chris Cragg talks us through a typical working day, the traits you need and meeting Stephen Fry...
Like what Chris has to say? Then check out our career guide to journalist jobs for more info.
What do you do for a job?
I’m online editor for NGKids.co.uk and features writer for National Geographic Kids magazine. I write the regular features for the magazine while creating, planning and managing the online content for the website.
Childhood dream or something you just fell into?
Journalism was certainly a childhood dream. My favourite game when I was a kid was Word!
How did you get into your job?
Meeting the right people certainly helped to get my foot in the door.
What does a typical working day involve?
LOTS of emails and a lot writing. Running the website by myself is pretty hectic!
What do you like about your job?
Writing for kids is always fun. And the content is very enjoyable.
…And dislike?
There isn’t a big budget to work with and a small team and low pay make it quite stressful at times.
What kind of person do you need to be to do well in this job?
You'll need to be outgoing, creative and organised, that's for sure.
Career highlight?
Travelling to America to spot alligators or meeting Stephen Fry!
Any regrets?
The salary.
If you could do any other job/career what would you choose and why?
Community manager. I love the possibilities available with social networking...
If you had to offer one piece of advice to anyone looking to break into your industry, what would it be?
Write, write, write! And make yourself known within the industry.
