Where to begin writing

Hello readers!

This next post will be discussing what you can do pre-searching for internships in order to garner more attention towards your CV when trying to get some work experience to further your changes overall of getting a job! Its a lengthy process, but there you go, things are never easy these days. I'll be just referring to some possible ways you can attain some experience in writing and my experience in relation to that, but these aren't the only ways and this is hopefully just some ideas that will help

• Student newspaper 

If you are also currently at university, then you already have heard this advice, and you haven't followed it yet, then follow it now! The student newspaper is a very useful way to get some of your written work showcased on a student platform and gains you some very credible experience. Universities will also offer as the Tab and Student Beans as other writing platforms your work can be published on, as well as individual literary journals that the university would publish. At a student newspaper, you can also find yourself rather easily a possibility to attain editorial roles. So if you are at university, take all the opportunities you can while you are there, because they will open up further opportunities for you later on 

•  Local newspaper

If you are not at university, or are currently looking for a different platform to write for, then look to local newspapers that usually offer a few weeks work experience that can be helpful in gaining you some practice in writing and administrative tasks related to journalism as well as understanding further how journalism works in practice. So just email the local paper and see what happens

• Writing online 

There are some amazing opportunities to write online now; whether its through blogging, or on developing websites that you can contribute too. I write for a few online magazines/websites that, though unpaid, have provided me other experience than writing, such as attending press releases and reporting on events at galleries and theater. If you are interested in fashion magazines, the website Fashion Workie display many developing websites that are looking for writers to contribute. Shout it Out UK are always looking for writers to contribute to their website writing on opinions on news and current events 

• Blogging 

Getting familiar with WordPress and Blogger can also help prove some skill and understanding of different writing platforms on your CV. Blogging on a subject that you love can bring in some opportunities if you dedicate enough time on it. For example, I know a friend whose fashion blog won the Cosmopolitan Blogger Award and she was able to get some work experience at Cosmopolitan and another friend whose blog on reviewing books is now contacted by authors and sites to review books before they are published. 

•   Other skills

As I said before, showing your familiarity with WordPress and Blogger can be a big plus on a CV. It goes without saying that proficiency with Microsoft Works and PC/Macs are part of a certain skill-set that you need to show on your CV in order to become a better candidate. Other skills that are now in demand are Photoshop and Indesign (if you are looking into roles that focus on design, then you should be looking to be proficient in Adobe Works overall), as well as html and awareness of social media. An affordable way of gaining some experience in Adobe Works would be to download the free month option when downloading Photoshop and Indesign, and looking into some lovely tutorials on YouTube. Understanding social media is a must so get a Twitter and Linkd account.

Another plus would be to attain some skills with photography and video editing. This isn't my forte so I'm uncertain as to how you could go about gaining some basic skills in an affordable way as workshops are rather expensive. Look into what your university or local area offers, and if you are really committed, purchase your own camera and recorder and start practicing in your own time.

This all seems like a lot of effort, so my advice would be to pick a way of writing or trying new skills you've always wanted to do, so see it as a hobby that you can enjoy in your own time. That it will gain you some invaluable skills and commitment to the career you are aspiring for will be a plus.

Thanks for reading!