Case studies: Magazine features editor: Keven Durham

Most of Kevin's time is spent generating ideas for features and commissioning work from staff and freelance writers. The role is challenging, and being able to multi-task is essential.

Unlike many people in the profession, I did not plan to go into journalism after graduating. On completing my degree in geography, I spent the summer applying for jobs. I successfully applied for a part-time position as an editorial assistant with a small geography journal. The pay was poor, but I enjoyed editing the submissions, particularly as much of the content related to my own academic interests.

I became more interested in publishing, particularly with the idea of writing my own articles. After nine months with the journal, I applied for a job with a local weekly newspaper. I wasn’t really interested in writing hard news stories, but it was a good chance to develop my writing skills and learn more about publishing. The local paper belonged to a group of local and regional newspapers, and I spent some time switching between them and broadening my experience.

During this time I sent off speculative letters to magazine publishers with some ideas for articles. I didn’t have much success, but I managed to write some reviews of local gigs and events for an online regional entertainment magazine.

Around this time I also started a part-time MA in Media and Journalism at Newcastle University. The course provided instruction in media law, public affairs and writing for the media. Although the position I later applied for did not ask for a postgraduate qualification, the skills I developed on this course perfectly matched those required by the employer.

After a few years working for the local papers, and with a portfolio of freelance work, I applied for a position as writer for a corporate magazine with a well-known department store chain. I moved up to the features editor position ten months later.

Most of my time is spent generating ideas for features and commissioning work from staff and freelance writers. Because I work for a corporate magazine, there is a lot of emphasis on marketing and branding, so I also spend a lot of time in meetings with the public relations department and senior management.

There are negative aspects of the job. The pressure to meet deadlines can be stressful, particularly when you are relying on other people, and late nights are not uncommon. But seeing your work through to print is very rewarding, and completing a successful features section under tight deadlines can often make the work exhilarating.

An in-house magazine does not suffer from the volatile market conditions which affect other publications. Our publication is not in competition with other corporate magazines in the same way that paid-for magazines can be with each other. But despite this relative stability, changes are happening in the sector. Perhaps the biggest change is the emphasis placed on social responsibility by large customer facing companies. The content of in-house magazines is now giving greater emphasis on the ethical behaviour of the companies they represent.

In the next few years I would like to move to a more senior position in the in-house magazine sector, or make a switch to a features editor position with a large trade publication.