Breaking into Publishing

Breaking into any new industry is tough and publishing is no exception. In fact, being a small and close-knit industry, breaking into it may even be tougher. Still, every year, quite a few fresh college graduates manage to land coveted entry-level positions in publishing. How do they manage and what distinguishes them from the many who are passionate about the field?

Gaining a Competitive Edge

Often times, the answer is internships. Internships in publishing, paid or unpaid, are key because they show hiring managers that the person whose resume they are reviewing cares about the industry and has made a serious effort to learn more about it.

With publishing being an industry that one can’t really study, work experience becomes even more crucial. But most entry-level positions require work experience to even be considered. A vicious cycle it seems but there are five good reasons (at least) why even unpaid internships pay off.

1. Observation

An internship provides first-hand experience of the industry. Granted, interns will have to work their way up and will get a good deal of clerical work. However, they will be part of the everyday routine (including staff meetings) and will get a feel for the pace and work atmosphere.

2. Contacts

What better way to meet the people who matter than to work for them? Plus, knowing their routines and responsibilities will help when approaching anyone in a similar position. Contacts cannot be stressed enough as anyone working in publishing is a potential resource and may provide valuable knowledge about the industry. Also, fellow interns will be tomorrow’s colleagues. Therefore, initiating and maintaining contacts is a must.

3. Networking

An internship means having one foot in the door already. Most publishing houses encourage their staff to network and announce networking opportunities like trade associations, events and trade fairs through email or the office blackboard. So keeping an eye out for these announcements or joining an association will open that door a little wider.

4. Being proactive

Sitting around and waiting for work to fall into one’s lap has rarely helped anyone. For most supervisors, having an intern initially means more work rather than less. Trying to get the hang of the tasks involved quickly and volunteering (especially for unpopular tasks) will go a long way. Also, though often under deadline pressure, asked at the right time and politely, most people love to talk about their work and will be happy to help out. But they will not make the first step, it has to be initiated.

5. Evaluation

Last but not least, learning from the internship experience and keeping an open mind will prove invaluable. Evaluating the internship, the department and the area of publishing will provide insights of what went right and what did not. For example, somebody who has fond memories of children’s books might find out that working with them on a daily basis is not all fun and games. Or vice versa, somebody who got into reference publishing might discover that it is more adventurous than it sounds.

Therefore, publishing internships are as much about breaking into the field as they are about trying out something new. Better to find out after a few months into an internship in marketing books that it’s not one’s calling than a few months into a new job!

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