I'm a Wannabe Hack!

The Intern-it's meeee!

Soo I do kind of have an excuse for not regularly updating my blog, I've been blogging over at Wannabe Hacks, the popular journalism advice and comment website. This happened in September, when I decided on a pure whim to apply for one of the five Wannabe Hacks positions.

They received over sixty applications for the (unpaid but exclusive) blogging positions. I was thrilled and surprised to find that was shortlisted to the last twenty, even more so when I found out I made the final five! I obtain the position of The Intern, after undertaking work experience at various publications, More! Closer and Heat magazine to name but a few I represent the Interning route into journalism. Whilst the other four are the Entreprenuer; Jonathan Frost an English student at York, Natalie Clarkson, The Undergrad who is studying journalism at Staffordshire, Hannah Bass, The Post Grad who is undertaking an MA at City and finally last but not least, Jon Offredo, our international hack who after studying an MA at Newcastle University is applying for jobs, here, there and everywhere.

So from September onwards I have been giving fellow aspiring journo's advice from what I have learnt from my various work expeience placements, tips about how to get invloved with your student media and how essential networking really is for journalists. Plus providing heated discussions of whether journalists today really need short hand anymore.

So if you're an aspiring journalist or blogger, be sure to check out my posts (and of the course the others ;) ) http://wannabehacks.co.uk/emily/ And do get involved in the discussions by tweeting @WannabeHacks- don't be shy we won't bite!

The death of print media?

I was just thinking, how much time I seem to spend on the internet nowadays. Due to my new discovery of fashion blogs, I am like the cat who has caught the cream.

Sitting beside me is the new edition of my favourite, The Sunday Times Style magazine, it captures fashion and all the new trends at the moment in such a witty, intelligent way, that I love devouring it every Sunday.

But instead of getting stuck into the mag, I find myself trawling through the internet gazing at fashion blogs, Facebook/Twitter and "magazine" like websites...one I have just found called Queens of Vintage, http://www.queensofvintage.com/ (truly brilliant; find vintage fashion, style icons throughout the decades & lots more!)

The problem is, with websites that are so easily accessible and for no charge, the web poses as a major threat for the print media. The fact that websites can instantly provide readers with their specialised interests, in a lot more detail than magazines can, which in contrast are aimed at reaching a broad audience, and therefore cover broader topics, sets a tough standard for magazines to keep up with.

Likewise, with new technology like the Ipad, that allows people to read their daily newspaper, TheTimes online for instance on the net, will people feel the need to go out and seek a newspaper?

This is similar to that of magazines, however they often offer a digital alternative. As magazines today want to keep up with the times and not miss out on the internet market, they promote their print brand on the web. All our fave mags are online, from Cosmo to yep you've guessed it, The Sunday Times Style, they all offer a online version which links to the orginial print issue, with exclusive extras for fans to hone in on.

So perhaps the internet is taking over, but then even so the age- old print media is giving as good as it gets. ;)

Is this the beginnging of the end for print media? Or have they still got a long lease of life yet? Who knows, but all I can say is the internet is reigning supreme, getting stronger by the day. With viral campaigns, blogging, Vlogging i even heard of?! (blogging hauls to promote products) the internet is no longer a source of information, but can create a whole career from one simple blog or website.

I think people feel they have to commit themselves to remaining active with, say their Twitter account, keeping an eye on their blackberrys at all times to keep up with the times, and essentially nowadays- to stay on top of their careers.

But as much as I love the internet, I do still love a good book and sometimes wonder if it is all getting a tad crazy. Whilst were typing away on our laptops, are we missing the world right there in front of us go by? Will we miss writing with a pen, reading a book or newspapers and magazines?

One thing I do know, is that with a book I don't go all squinty eyed and get a headache. But maybe thats just a sign to say.... Emily you need an eye- check!

Hello There! My first blog.

Right,

So I have FINALLY set up a blog, after many months of pondering and deliberation I finally have! What really inspired mee to put the force in motion was Company's blogger issue- there is literally so many cool blogs out there, be it Fashion, gossip, music, films, homes, even feminism! The last one did particuarly interest me, being abit of a feminist fanatic myself, Saturday night Sexism proved a point.

It describes the all too familiar experience of when a drunken guy comes on to you on a night out, standard. You may say, so what? Or you're looking for it when youre wearing a short skirt/top. But hang on, why can't you wear whatever you want, without being made to feel guilty or exposed, when that guy won't leave you alone. It makes you feel uncomfortable, I've been in a situation when a creepy guy literally did not leave me and my mate alone for ages, ruining a big part of our evening. I know this isn't serious, but some of the examples in from the Saturday night Sexism were shocking, resulting in one man putting a hand up a lady's skirt. So when does harmless, turn harmful? As a uni student, I know walking home is a no- no, although several of my mates do it. All it takes is for that "creepy looking" or the weird guy in the corner who keeps looking at you, to follow you home from the club.

As you can see, this blog really made me think and ended up in a feminist (sounding) rant, soo i think blogging may be the way forward for a girl who has a LOT to say!

Hahaa. I'l be using this blog to post up articles i've done for my student magazine Pugwash so far, in which I am Life & style editor of and those I have completed for a Uni project. Fashion dominates my world, however issues, including feminist ones!, the media, books, general rants and ramblings may end up on here too! Looking forward to it ;)

Emily. X