BTEC Creative Media: UNIT 11: Assignment 4- Personal Career Development

Media Assignment 4

Job Roles

In relation to my personal potential career path, I would like to work in the editorial department within the print based media industry. I have listed a number of different job roles that I could apply for, in order to give me a chance at working in a department that I want to work in.

Editor

Editors have the job of editing the stories and articles the researchers have produced and put together. They select and prepare written, audible, film and visual media, which is used to convey information across to the viewers. Also, when producing newspapers and magazines, this also applies for photographs too. Newspaper editors reject many more releases than they actually use, because the larger the paper is, the more release the editor has to go through and edit, which takes longer. Magazines operate very similar to newspapers, although the editors for a magazine are usually more specialised than editors for newspapers.

Assistant editor

They are responsible for supporting the main editor in charge of the newspaper or magazine. The assents editor has an important role within the process of a newspaper and magazine, because they are authoritative in the sense that they can oversee his own editorial section such as; sports sections, feature stories, celebrity gossip, international news etc. Another one of their roles is to take charge of the day to day running edit suite, which leaves the editor to be able to concentrate on the work of editing the stories and articles.

Commissioning editor

They have the role of overseeing the annual schedule for content in print based media. They also commission and write market leading editorial. Commissioning editors take on the role of attending industry events, due to the main editor and assistant editor having more important things to work on. Their role is important because they do all the running round jobs that the main editors don't have time for.

Journalist

The journalists within the print based media have a huge influence in the industry. This is due to their part in the making of the newspaper and magazines. They provide all the ideas for future stories and features that would interest the magazine or newspapers readers. They read up and research on different features and articles to see what other magazines and newspapers already have talked about. Also, they write, edit, proofread and sub the text they write. Being a journalist means that they have to keep up to date with all the news and celebrity news going on. As well as keeping up with that, they also have to keep up with the laws and regulations based on defamation, privacy and contempt law.

Skills Gap

Here is a list of the current skills I hold, and evidence of how I have these skills. I have also given myself a rating on how strong I am with each specific skill.

Skill	How strong am I at this skill?	Evidence to show this
Previous experience	9	I have had quite a lot of previous experience in the print based media, by having jobs, voluntary work and work experience in the industry. I have done work experience at The Jewish Chronicle newspaper which was really useful as I got to help the journalists write and edit the stories and features. Also, I have had experience at VOGUE magazine where I had an internship for 3 months. As well as this I have done voluntary work at HELLO magazine, along with The London Magazine. In both businesses I was shadowing the assistant editors in which I developed a load of skills from this experience. For 2 years I have worked at my local newspaper as the journalist. I had to write a number of different stories and features which were included within the local newspaper. Additionally, I have worked at Frank PR, where I currently work, as a researcher.
Interpersonal skills	7	I work extremely well in a team of a group of people, where we all have to contribute towards the project and put individual effort and input into it as well. I have had experience working in various different workplaces which involved working within a team and it was really good because I have gained a lot of knowledge from working with other people as well as improving my interpersonal skills the more I work with people. I am a very patient and understanding person which helps when working in a team, as I listen to everyones ideas although I am not afraid to state my own opinion and have a friendly debate about it.
Technlogoical and functional skills	8	I can use softwares very well as I have completed a GCSE in IT, a long with an A Level in Computing. I have great knowledge on Microsoft Softwares such as Publisher, Word, Powerpoint etc. This is helpful within the print based media industry as I can work on the technical side of the business. When I worked at Frank PR, one of my jobs was to run the social media for the business, in which I used different devices such as a computer, a Samsung tablet, an IPad, IPhone etc. From having this knowledge and experience, it will ensure I am an efficient worker as I do not have to be taught all the skills and waste the businesses money or time.
Writing and language skills	9	I have received an A* in both my English GCSES and an A in my English A Level, which proves my passion and expertise. My vocabulary is broad and I use a various number of synonyms when speaking to people. I am very professional and know how to conduct myself when speaking face to face as well as speaking through the phone, emailing, online chatting etc. I have had experience writing stories and features for different newspapers and magazines which has allowed me to widen my vocabulary vastly and to expand my writing and language skills. I conduct myself politely, formerly and clearly when speaking to people internally and externally from the business.
Research skills	10	As I have previously worked as a researcher on various different occasions, my research skills are precise. I have completed various stories and features, in which were done until a time frame. When researching I check for accurate and reliable sources as I have experience with checking the accuracy of websites, books and other sources. When researching, I have worked independently along within a team of other people. It has been proved that I work productively in both scenarios which is a massive bonus and quality I have.

Development Plan

As well as listing my skills, I have created a development plan, in which I have described how I will fill the gaps of the skills I am not strong with.

Skill	Development that is going to happen to improve this skill
Previous Experience	I am lucky enough to have had a lot of previous experience in the print based media industry, which has helped me to improve a lot of various different skills. I feel reading different magazines and newspaper articles, stories and features could benefit me to see them and how they are produced.
Interpersonal Skills	I could attend different courses in order to improve my interpersonal skills. I could attend sessions where I will interact with people in a workplace situation, as well as doing individual work. In my everyday life I interact with people which will improve my interpersonal skills too.
Technological and Functional Skills	Due to my high amount of knowledge in this area, I could attend training courses on how to improve my Software and technology knowledge. There are always new things I can learn and even if its a bit extra, it could be useful within the workplace in order to compete with other businesses. If there are no courses suitable for me, I will watch tutorials on new features on different softwares.
Writing and Language Skills	In order to improve my writing and language skills, I can read dictionaries and thesaurus’s to expand my vocabulary even more. Also, reading other articles and stories from other magazines and newspaper can help me improve this skill as I will be looking at how other articles and stories are put together and get ideas from them. I could also have a session with a specialist in language, where I can rehearse my professionalism.
Research Skills	To polish my research skills I could speak to other researchers within the print based media industry, to get talking about how they research and to exchange advice and tips. It is extremely essential that my research skills at to the best that they can be, as this affects the overall magazine or newspaper.

My CV

Olivia Spalter

20\05\1999

11 Ashfield Grove Bushey, WD28 56H

Mobile: 07265557688

oliviaspalter@hotmail.com

Skills

-Strong leadership skills

-Strong interpersonal skills

-IT skills- Good knowledge of Microsoft Word, Microsoft Powerpoint, Microsoft Publisher

-Good knowledge of editing softwares- Photoshop and Final Cut Pro

-Creative and imaginative

-Polite, professional and formal

-Ability to use both an Apple Mac and Windows

-Always prompt

-Reliable

-Hardworking and enthusiastic

Hobbies

-Social media

-Current affairs

-I enjoy reading and writing articles

-Gaming, computing and IT software

-Socialising

Past Experience

Local newspaper- At my local newspaper, I had the role of being the main journalist. I had to produce and put together well written, professional stories and articles. I also was one of the editors within the business. Within this role I had to edit the stories, articles and features that the writers and researchers produced. I used a range of different programmes such as Microsoft Word, Microsoft Publisher and Microsoft Powerpoint etc. From working at my local newspaper, it helped me to gain more knowledge about newspaper and the print based media industry as a whole.

Frank PR- They are a leading PR agency, whom they have famous clients such as Disney, Weetabix, CowGate, PaddyPower and plenty more famous and exclusive brands. My role consists of gathering information together to put together stories, features and articles which make up the newspaper and magazine pages. My job role consists of a lot of research and writing which is good because I have strong writing and language skills. This is also useful when i have to interview and interact with certain different people.

Education

JFS- I received 11 GCSEs from an A* to C grades. These include English Literature, English Language, Mathematics, Classics, French, Spanish, Geography, Science, Additional Science, Media Studies and IT.

JCoSS- I studies 3 A Levels, which consisted of Computing, Media Studies and English Literature.

I achieved a 1:1 in Film and Media Studies with Journalism at the University of Nottingham.

References

I have various references upon request.

Letters of Applications

Dear Mrs Kritz,

I am writing to you in response to your recent job advert for the role as an editor at your firm, MediaAttracts. After reading the job description for the job role on your website, I was overjoyed to discover that I suit all the requirements needed for the job, regarding qualifications and previous experience.

I am extremely interested and have a passion for this specific job title due to the use of softwares you get to use as well as the writing and language skills needed for the job. I would be highly grateful to be able to work for a business who has such outstanding reputation in the print based media industry, which would make me more motivated to work to the best of my ability.

I feel that I have the appropriate qualifications along with the aspiring positivity and attitude, which is why I feel I would suit the job role appropriately. I take pride in my work and I guarantee projects are met on time as working under time pressure doesn't worry me. I am sensible, polite and professional, which is a excellent thing to have when working as an editor, as I will be representing your business.

As part of the job role, I understand that I would have to submit various stories and articles on a tight time schedule due to the magazine being produced weekly. I am good working in a team of people, therefore working with the rest of the team will not be an issue with me because I like to help others and offer my ideas around. As well as this, I feel it is extremely valuable to learn from others and listen to their advice to make me grow and learn more in order to do my work to the best standard I possibly can.

Thank you for this opportunity to prove myself to you, and everyone on behalf of your business, I hope you have a read of my application letter and wish you the best,

Hope to hear from you soon,

Olivia Spalter

Dear Mrs Nicholson,

As a highly skilled editor, I am writing in regards to your post about a new editor. My experience aligns well with the qualifications that you are seeking to hold this position. I am certain I would make a valuable edition to your team.

In relation to this, I have strong writing and language skills, which contribute towards this job role perfectly. I have had a lot of experience being an editor and my skills are up to a professional standard, which is why I feel I am suitable for this job position. I like to constantly read dictionaries ass well as thesaurus’s to expand my vocabulary to enable me to work to the best of my ability. This is also my hobby, which is a benefit as I have a passion in the editing.

I am a very patient an understanding person, which would help me when getting constant projects to complete on a timely schedule. I also feel due to my creativity that I will be able to use this to the businesses advantage, and incorporate this into my work.

I have a excellent approach to softwares such as Microsoft Word, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Publisher etc. This enables me to work more efficiently and effectively as I wouldn't need further training that is suggested on the job advert. I have a GCSE in IT along with an A Level in Computing which proves my knowledge and my fascination for computer softwares.

I look forward to hearing back or meeting you to learn more about your firm, its goals and how I might get a chance to contribute towards its success.

Yours Sincerely,

Olivia Spalter

Spreadsheet of contacts and employers

Arta Ghanbari

Sub-editor for VOGUE magazine

Justin Cohen

News Editor for The Jewish News

justinc@thejngroup.com

Telegraph Press Office

tmg@goodrelations.co.uk

Editorial Complaints Office at The Sun

ombudsman@the-sun.co.uk