Magazine features editor : Entry requirements

The profession can be open to non-graduates, but most entrants will have degrees. This role is not an entry-level position, so you will need previous experience and a certain amount of training, obtained either through a degree or on the job.

Some specialist magazines, such as those in the business or science sectors, do require a degree in a relevant subject. It is possible to study journalism as an undergraduate degree, but it should not be assumed that this will be favoured over other degrees. Other subjects, such as art or geography, can often give you a specialism to write about.

Postgraduate qualifications are useful, but are not essential. Postgraduate degrees in creative writing or English are popular, and a postgraduate qualification in journalism is a useful way of topping up an undergraduate degree gained in another subject.

To succeed you will need to show evidence of the following:

• creativity;
• persistence;
• confidence;
• the ability to take constructive criticism;
• management skills;
• the ability to multi-task;
• attention to detail;
• decisiveness;
• organisation skills;
• excellent writing skills.

Magazine journalism, as with journalism generally, is heavily oversubscribed, and competition can be fierce. You can improve your chances by gaining work experience before applying for an entry-level position. Since work experience is valued over qualifications, a candidate with a portfolio of published work will stand a much better chance of employment.

There are plenty of opportunities to get your work published. The student newspaper is a good starting point, as are local newspapers. If you have a hobby, you can submit articles to magazines which serve that interest. If there is a local event which interests some national publications, you may be able to cover it for them if they do not have the resources to send someone down. It is also possible to self-publish through a website or music fanzine.

Sending off speculative applications for articles is a useful way of getting your work published. It is important to do your research on the magazine you are contacting. Editors will not be impressed if your suggested article demonstrates ignorance about the magazine and its readers.

Although writing experience is crucial, there are other skills that journalists might need. If you can develop these, you will stand a better chance of gaining employment. Knowledge of HTML code could be beneficial, particularly as more and more magazine content is going online. Experience of photography can also be useful, and a second language can come in handy for international publications.

In an attempt to offset the scarcity of black journalists, the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) has set up the George Viner Memorial Fund to help those who want to take industry-recognised pre-entry courses, but lack the money to do so.

For more information, see work experience and internships and search courses and research.