Every young, black, female writer I’ve ever met said they would LOVE to work at Essence magazine, so imagine landing a job there straight out of college. That’s what happened to Charreah Jackson who is currently an editorial assistant at Essence. She interned there during the summer before her senior year at Howard University and the internship, unlike most internships nowadays, led to a full-time job. She shares her experiences so far below:1. How did you land an internship at Essence magazine?
Well, as a senior in high school I decided I wanted to be the editor in chief of Honey Magazine. My heart was broken when the magazine closed but at that point I had found my love for the magazine business and knew it was where I wanted to be. Throughout college I was on my campus newspaper staff and freelanced and interned all I could, and also was the first president of our newly formed magazine group and served throughout my college years. Last summer, with that experience I was accepted in the American Society of Magazine Editors (ASME) intern program and got placed at my first choice of Essence.
2. What advice would you give someone looking for an internship at a magazine? What kind of skills do editorial staff look for?
Uhm... START NOW! If you want to write you should be writing...NOW! Don’t be intimidated, trust me, you have you what it takes! People always say it but know the magazine before you go in there to interview. Your knowledge, ideas and eagerness can make up for inexperience. Do everything with a smile because people can train you to do things if you have the right attitude and “fit” the environment but they can’t change your attitude. And identify someone doing your dream job and invite them to coffee. Everyone loves flattery. :)
3. Did you write for a school paper or other publication while at Howard or prior to attending university?
Oh yeah. I was on our newspaper in high school and I was too naïve to know how hard it can be in journalism and way too eager so I was a staff writer my freshman year in college, the only freshman on staff. I was fortunate to work my way to managing editor my junior year, the paper’s first full year as a daily newspaper and it was a GREAT experience!!! I also freelanced with Rolling Out, and Upscale Magazine where I had interned after my freshman year.
4. Which department did you work for (during your internship at Essence) and how did you manage to turn your internship into a full-time job? Are you in the same department?
I was in the entertainment department and had the time of my life! After that summer I kept in touch with everyone (one thing I always did as an intern was try and meet everyone in the office not just my supervisor). And by “kept in touch” I mean “stalked with a smile :)”. I met the online editor in one of my office visits when I would come to NY from DC and made sure to stay connected with her as I knew the company was stepping up its web presence. On my last stalker visit in May I learned the online editorial department has a few openings. I know I was blessed to be in the right place at the right time. But you have to do your part to strategically place yourself. :)
5. What is a typical day for you at Essence? Typical day?
Well, I’m on the web so it’s very fast paced. I spend time inputting articles and images onto the site and securing and cropping photos. I am also very fortunate to be able to write and offer my ideas. I also fact check, which is an invaluable which I would advise anybody interested in magazines to become a pro at.
6. Is working at Essence as glamorous as people think?!
Lol. Are the women fabulous? Oh yeah! Sometimes I look around the office and am just amazed by all these beautiful black women. Then it’s back to work. It’s very hard working staff from the top on down. Everyone pulls there weight and then some.
7. Many question Essence's relevance to black women today [Remember that Diddy/Kim Porter cover?!]. Do you think that's a fair assessment?
Are you serious? I think the magazine is needed more than ever. Don Imus didn’t say anything a lot of other people are thinking so it’s so very important that we have a place for us. That’s why it’s so hard to see the Honey’s and Suede’s and Vixen’s close. But when one door closes, right? We got you Sylvia ;)!!!
8. I read once that today's major magazines hire freelancers to write a majority of their articles. In that case, is it more important to be a talented writer or have entrepreneurial instincts?
Most magazines rely mostly on freelancers to write the bigger pieces. It is a plus to write and most importantly recognize good writing. But most editorial staffs consist more of editors so being creative and having great ideas and being able to conceptualize is a great skill. I’m probably biased because I enjoy the editing part even more than writing.
9. Where do you see yourself in five years?
Five years? This answer changes everyday. For the last few months it’s been in South Africa where I spend a few years working in magazines there. Now I’m not so sure. I would love to have a book published by then but we’ll see what God has in store. I’m looking forward to it!
10. Is there anything else that you want to add that you think might be helpful advice for I Like Her Style! readers?
Uhm, I feel so underqualified to be offering advice but I will say take some time to get to know yourself sooner than later. Don’t let others push on you who they think you are. For the longest I thought I wanted to be a lawyer than I realized I’m a writer and love to hear and tell a good story. My industry is very hard work and little pay starting off and I’m loving every second because it’s what I love to do. If you have any other questions you can hit my blog “Queen To Be” or facebook me :)
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