Communications in London: a Q&A with BBC journalist Christopher Cook
nextBLOG writer Megan Hess interviewed one of her professors while studying abroad in London
Born and raised in the United Kingdom, Christopher Cook is a culture and media aficionado who has worked for the BBC for over 30 years. He also currently teaches at Syracuse University’s London program, specializing in a course called British Mass Media & US Politics–a course I took while studying abroad in the fall. Below, Cook imparts his wisdom about breaking into the industry, asking those “tough questions” in interviews, and the necessity of people-watching in cafes.
Q: What was your inspiration to break into the field of communications?
A: When I was a student at Cambridge University, I edited the student magazine called Granta. One of my predecessors had graduated and gotten a job as a researcher in the BBC’s Parliamentary department, and one day, her co-worker phoned us up at Granta. They needed a researcher to help out over Christmas break, and I gladly volunteered. I helped out over the next school break as well, at which point my mentor, Trevor, took me aside to ask what my post-graduation plans were. I told Trevor that I was planning on going to film school to become a feature filmmaker, and his response was, “Don’t be stupid, come and work for me in television.” I guess I was lucky – you can’t waltz into media quite as easily nowadays.
Q: Very true. So what tips do you have for students who are trying to break into the industry today?
A: You have to knock on doors – network, offer to write stories, get an address book together, develop a profile with obvious interests. Never say no, and always return phone calls. You can only afford not to return calls when you have become very grand and successful.
Q: Do you think it’s easier to find jobs in communications in the UK than in America?
A: In Britain, it’s easier to transgress borders. It’s also smaller than the US, so you can do more; I critique dance, opera, music, theater, and film, whereas many critics in the US just specialize in one of those fields. If you can get a work visa – which requires a great deal of planning – you should come work in Europe.
Read the rest of the interview below
HR Representatives dished on the secrets to a successful job searched, moderated by Lindsey Pollak (Photo Courtesy MaryanneRussellPhotography.com)
The New York Women in Communications Foundation Student Career Conference ended with a triumphant empowering session named Secrets to a Successful Job Search. Lindsey Pollak, author of Getting from College to Career, moderated the panel, which included human resources representatives from top media companies. Paulette Forte, Director of Human Resources at FutureBrand, Morgan McBride, Human Resources manager at Ketchum, Brigette Boyle, VP of Recruitment for Fox News, and Scherri Roberts, VP of Human Resources at Hearst Magazines. Here’s what they said makes a candidate stand out from the pack.
DO
- Show the hiring manager that you’re willing to do anything for the company. Someone who is flexible will fit in in a variety of roles. – BB
- Know the products. Have a point of view about what we do as a company and be wiling to do whatever is required for the job – SR
- Come in to an interview with your own 20 questions. When we ask, “Do you have any questions?” be ready to ask an interesting question about the company or job. – BB
- On social media: Understand that you’re a professional, so use privacy settings or avoid posting anything that tells us otherwise on a social networking site.–PF
- Best resume tip: Focus on your accomplishments. The best resumes highlight buzzwords at the top. – SR
- On your cover letter: Show me that you know the company and show personality, but keep it short! – BB
- Use every contact that you have to get into the company. We are more likely to look at resumes that come from an employee referral. – BB
DON’T
- Don’t come into an interview and repeat everything on the website. Have a point of view on a campaign or service that we have. – PF
- If you come into an informational interview with no clue about what you want to do, you can’t expect the company to find a role for you. –SR
FYI
- Everything in your college career is on the web. Google can expose your resume lies! – BB
- “Measured persistence” is key in following up on jobs. Don’t cross the line from eager to annoying with daily emails or calls. -SR
- Always be learning. If you aren’t learning, move on. – MM
- Networking events like this conference are important! – LP
~Kaitlin Tambuscio, The College of New Jersey ‘10
Accomplished magazine editors share their words of wisdom for succeeding in the magazine industry at the NYWICI Student Career Conference (Photo Courtesy Maryanne Russell Photography)
It was hard to drown out the sound of scribbling pens at the Magazine Writing for Print and Web panel at the New York Women in Communications Student Career Conference. And that’s a good thing considering every student in the room wanted a job writing. Meredith Bodgas (Weddings Editor, The Knot), Jayme Ganey (Assistant Editor, Essence), Deanne Hess (Director, RealBeauty.com) and Celia Shatzman (Associate Editor, Family Circle) were the featured panelists. Lucia Moses (MediaWeek) moderated. Here, the best of the best share their words of wisdom for succeeding in the magazine industry. Future Anna Wintours and Cindi Leives, take note.
- Don’t apply for any job that you really don’t want to do. If you’re not happy to be there, your boss and colleagues will know.
- Don’t underestimate any skill set you have. If you’re great with talking to people, you may turn out to be a fabulous speaker. Play up any strength that you have and use it to your advantage.
- On your resume, make sure you’re using buzzwords. With editors viewing hundreds of resumes a month, make sure you stand out by not forgetting to list key words such as blogging, HTML, content management systems, and social media networks.
- Volunteer. Be the go-to girl for your boss and never turn down an opportunity to help out.
- Be a problem solver. Try to be as constructive as possible by helping an issue get resolved or by finding alternate solutions.
- Know how to multi-task. Having the ability to juggle different responsibilities at the same time is essential for meeting deadlines and proving how efficient you can be.
- Think beyond the page. Hess says to ask yourself, “What’s the best way to tell the story?” In other words, sometimes you can get the point of your article across better by adding quizzes, link or slideshows.
- Be prepared. Before you go in for your interview, take the time to actually flip through the last few issues of the magazine. Have a clear idea about the publication’s vision, including past stories they have done.
- Be professional. Gamey recalled a time when she received an e-mail from an intern candidate that read, “Hey girl!” Definitely not a good way to get noticed. Always address your potential employer with her last name, unless she suggests otherwise.
- Do your research. Come to the interview with questions and show genuine interest.
- Send a handwritten thank you note. Snail mail hasn’t gone out of style yet, and a thank you note will not only show that you appreciate the time your interviewer gave you, but it will help to keep your name fresh on her mind.
~Taylor Trudon, University of Conneticut ’12
Communications Entrepreneurship Panel: The Challenges and Rewards of Working for Yourself
Communications Entreprenuership panelists shared the challenges and rewards of working for yourself. (Photo courtesy Maryanne Russell Photography)
There was a powerful energy in the room during the Communications Entrepreneurship Panel at the 2009 New York Women in Communications Foundation Student Career Conference, probably due to the number of strong, powerful women in the room – both aspiring communications professionals and highly successful women.
The panel was moderated by Liz Hamburg, founder of Upstart Ventures and co-host of WOR Radio’s “Launchpad” program. Panelists included Carolyn Kepcher, co-founder and CEO of Carolyn & Co., Suzanne Kantra, founder and Editor-in-Chief of Techlicious.com, Jennifer Baum, President and Founder of Bullfrog & Baum, and Kara L. Smith, Founder and President of Karasma Media.
One of the many topics discussed was the difficult transition from working for someone else to working for yourself. All of the panelists had worked for established companies before branching out on their own. Kantra worked for both Popular Science magazine and Martha Stewart before launching her website.
“I always had the brand behind me, but when I went out on my own it wasn’t ‘Martha’ or Popular Science, it was Suzanne,” Kantra said. “You need to have a clear vision of how you are going to present yourself.”
Smith shared stories about her passion and drive for being an entrepreneur even before she had established her business. “I used to have these business cards that said ‘Karasma Video’ on them that I would hand out, but there really was no business, just the cards,” Smith said laughing.
The ladies shared tips on different aspects of being an entrepreneur, including getting yourself a good lawyer and accountant, managing your time wisely, and hiring passionate people to work for you. “I love what I do, but I love the people I work with,” Baum said of her motivation to keep her company going. Although women still face hurdles in the workplace, the professionals shared the fact that there are actually now more women entrepreneurs than men. Even though being an entrepreneur means working long hours and making difficult decisions, the panelists agreed that they loved what they do.
“At the time I didn’t realize how hard it was, but it’s worth it. Everything I do, I do for me,” said Kepcher.
-Kristen Joerger, Fordham University ’10
Digital, Social and Mobile Media panelists talked Twitter at the 2009 NYWICI Foundation Student Career Conference (Photo Courtesy Maryanne Russell Photography)
It’s possible to land a job through Twitter. Why? Because communication is all about bridging connections, according to the Digital, Social and Mobile Media panel experts at the New York Women in Communications Student Career Conference. “I got my first job through tweeting,” said Jeannette Arrowood, now senior digital strategist for Mobile Behavior. And with a panel full of social media professionals, it’s no wonder the other panelists confirmed the explosive power of Twitter. Jennifer Preston, social media editor for NYTimes.com, gave some tips for tweeting: browse Twitter lists to find interesting people to follow, use links, and always ask yourself if your tweet brings value to the conversation (if not, you may want to think twice!). Ultimately, though, the panelists agreed that it’s not about the platform, it’s about the power of the story.
Panelists also agreed that their digital media jobs presented different challenges because in many cases they were the first to hold the title. “It was a new role for me, and there wasn’t anyone to look back on and compare myself to,” said Kendra Bracken-Ferguson, director of digital media for Corporate Communications, Polo Ralph Lauren. Instead, each day presented new challenges, prompting them to always stay innovate and pitch new ideas. “I’m always looking for the next big thing,” said Arrowood. Ron Stitt, vice president of digital media for Fox Television Stations, agreed, telling students, “Don’t be a specialist, be a generalist.” Always make sure to look at the bigger picture!
In terms of job-hunting, Gail Griffin, general manager of Barrons.com offered some sound advice. “Networking isn’t just about getting a job,” she said. “It’s really about making the connection.” In a social networking world, using media can only work to your advantage. Looking to follow their advice and make some new connections? Follow the panelists on Twitter.
- Jennifer Preston: @nyt_jenpreston
- Jeannette Arrowood: @nettap
- Kendra Bracken-Ferguson: @kendrabracken
- Gail Griffin: @gailgriffin
- Ron Stitt: @stittr
~Emily Freisher, Temple University ’10
