Frequently-Asked Questions: The Magazine Emphasis Area

• What type of work do people do in magazine journalism?
• What kind of background is important?
• What type of hands-on experience might I get while I'm in school?
• How do you benefit from learning from faculty who have had practical experience in the field?
• What other qualities and skills are valuable?
• Where do Missouri Journalism students get internships?
• What kind of jobs are graduates getting with a magazine journalism emphasis?
• What are the salaries and working environment like in this field?
• What is one tip you would give incoming students about this emphasis area?
• Alumni Profile: Do you have any advice for current J-School students?
• Alumni Profile: What makes you good at your job?
• How can I apply to MU and find other undergraduate journalism information?

What type of work do people do in magazine journalism?

"Graduates from the magazine journalism emphasis area develop skills in writing, editing, design, copy editing and publishing. They work for local and national magazines as well as feature sections of newspapers. Most of our students today acquire skills in more than one venue; they learn how to use their writing for magazines, newspapers, radio and television broadcast." Mary Kay Blakely Magazine Journalism Faculty

"They range anywhere from being publishers, editors, copy editors, writers and working in circulation. The list goes on and on. There is a broad range of editorial possibilities when you work with magazines." John Fennell Magazine Journalism Faculty

"Missouri Journalism alumni are working all over the world and are represented in every level from top management to entry-level. You might want to check out the Profiles in Success on this Web site. Alumni share information about their jobs, what they've learned and other highlights in these features." Brian Brooks Undergraduate Studies Dean

What kind of background is important?

"Curiosity, which any journalist needs. You need to be creative, a good writer, and very organized for magazines. You also especially need the ability to spot a good story idea." John Fennell Magazine Journalism Faculty

"The skills you need depend on the job. The first thing you need is to have an allegiance to great stories that are compelling and engage the reader or audience. Stories have to be built on accurate reporting and grounded in the world of non-fictional journalism." Berkley Hudson Magazine Journalism Faculty

What type of hands-on experience might I get while I'm in school?

"Working for the Missourian, one of Columbia's daily papers, is good experience because you'll work side-by-side with people who write and edit for a newspaper every day. In the magazine publishing capstone, you create a magazine from the ground up, which you present to publishers in the field of magazine journalism. Hands-on experience is really helpful to get a grasp to see if that is really what you want to do after you graduate. It gives you a sense of direction." Lauren Waits Magazine Journalism Student Independence, Mo.

"I worked at one of Columbia's daily papers! As part of the course requirements for print journalism, you must work at the Missourian. What better first-hand experience can you get? I learned so much about how a newsroom works, what is expected of me and the demands of putting out news daily. It's an unparalleled experience." Brittany Davis Magazine Journalism Student Louisville, Ky.

"Our students have the best of both worlds: a liberal arts education and ample opportunities to practice radio and television journalism." Brian Brooks Undergraduate Studies Dean

"The magazine coursework is often up to the personal interpretation and insights of the individual student's interests, whether that be a story topic or layout design. Students use the journalistic approach to do everything on their own, of course with guidance from faculty. Students who wish to get more hands-on experience also have the opportunity to join local organizations." Sherin Joharifard Magazine Journalism Student Edwardsville, Ill.

How do you benefit from learning from faculty who have had practical experience in the field?

"It's great working with professors who have had recent experiences. I can relate more easily to them and they can offer advice and information about the industry that's relevant now." Yolanda Coleman Magazine Journalism Student Paducah, Ky.

"The teachers really care about journalism. Many of them have left lucrative jobs in major cities to come back to Columbia and teach students how to be the best they can be in the field. They have been out there and know what is expected. They are able to relay such expectations to us. They seriously care about the future of journalism and want to see us flourish and make the field better." Brittany Davis Magazine Journalism Student Louisville, Ky.

"It is extremely beneficial that the faculty have had practical experience in the magazine industry because they have extensive knowledge about what they are teaching us. The faculty knows what direction to give students, not only in terms of coursework but also in terms of career choices and options." Sherin Joharifard Magazine Journalism Student Edwardsville, Ill.

What other qualities and skills are valuable?

"Perseverance is a valuable quality for magazine writers, editors and designers. While the ability to work independently, without close supervision, is an obvious strength, so is the ability to work collaboratively." Mary Kay Blakely Magazine Journalism Faculty

"If you are an editor or publisher, you need people and leadership skills to be able to inspire others to do their best work. If you're a writer, you still need people skills, but they're not as critical. Writers have to be able to talk to people and engage people in conversation." John Fennell Magazine Journalism Faculty

"A powerful sense of curiosity, a mind that's not afraid to entertain wildly opposite ideas or people. You need to be comfortable with talking to all types of people; having great people skills is important." Berkley Hudson Magazine Journalism Faculty

Where do Missouri Journalism students get internships?

"Our student body is very geographically diverse and this is well reflected in their internships. Most of our students do their internships independently and have had varied experiences with publications such as Boston Magazine out east, Paper Magazine in Atlanta, Southern Progress down in Birmingham and Fancy Publications in Irvine, Calif. Our summer programs, such as our London, Washington D.C. and Summer in New York Program, also provide a structured outlet and students have had internships with Jane, Billboard, M Magazine, the Smithsonian Magazine, National Geographic, Time Inc., Conde Nast and Fairchild publications." Phou Sengsavanh Career Center

What kind of jobs are graduates getting with a magazine journalism emphasis?

"Many are working as editors for various general and women's magazines. Some go to newspapers, trade associations, public relations or become freelancers." John Fennell Magazine Journalism Faculty

"You can go into trade publications, or perhaps wind up in more mainstream magazines. Some people go to Web-based organizations, newspapers and even ghostwriting autobiographies for famous people." Berkley Hudson Magazine Journalism Faculty

What are the salaries and working environment like in this field?

"Salaries depend on the particular job tasks, the size of company you'll work for, and the location or region in which you work. For information on specific jobs in certain locations, two Web sites to visit for more detailed salary information are www.salary.com or www.monster.com." Phou Sengsavanh Career Center

"Mediabistro.com, Craigslist.com and other online sites can provide examples of salaries in the magazine industry. The salaries vary widely, depending on size of publication, region and level of responsibilities. Most magazine majors also explore freelance work, much of which can be done at home." Mary Kay Blakely Magazine Journalism Faculty

"Salaries range from $20,000 to $35,000 for starters. With experience, you can make up $100,000, but experience varies between markets. The average salary for an editor with 15 years of experience is $80,000. There are a lot of options, with some breaking into the New York market right after graduation to others who choose to work in trade publications." John Fennell Magazine Journalism Faculty

What is one tip you would give incoming students about this emphasis area?

"Read up on the emphasis areas and know what classes are offered so you can take everything you want to take before you run out of time." Yolanda Coleman Magazine Journalism Student Paducah, Ky.

"Don't be intimidated. Every incoming freshman or sophomore entering into the emphasis areas is in the same boat. One thing I wish I would have done is gotten to know more of the faculty on a one-on-one basis. They can be very helpful tools if you use them." Lauren Waits Magazine Journalism Student Independence, Mo.

"I wish I would have worked at one of the campus publications such as The Maneater or MU Student News to gain experience before I entered the J-School and had to work at the Missourian." Brittany Davis Magazine Journalism Student Louisville, Ky.

Do you have any advice for current J-School students?

"Take time to research the place(s) you are applying to for jobs/internships. Personalize your cover letter and application, and make sure to follow all instructions if you are replying to an ad. Sell yourself and explain why you want to work for that specific company. If you do these things, you will surpass candidates from many other schools." Katie Kelley, BJ '98 Magazine Journalism Content Editor, CiN Weekly Cincinnati, Ohio

What makes you good at your job?

"Organization is key. I'm always working on several projects at once, so it's easy to get flustered. I have to have attention to detail, and I am always questioning things that go into the magazine. With a small staff, there is no one looking over my shoulder or checking my work, so if I miss something, it's very likely to appear in print. I've become a much better editor over the past year - it really is something that takes on-the-job practice. Also, being a quick learner and being willing to take on new things (even if I'm not entirely sure what I'm doing) has allowed me to really expand my job description." Becky Rasmussen, BJ '02 Magazine Journalism Communications Specialist, Drake & Company Chesterfield, Mo.

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