Things you should know about being a magazine journalist

What I wanna say is my job isn’t not always as glitz and glamorous as it seems.  Although yes, I admit we (journalists,editors,writers -whatever u wanna call it) can have an easy access to what-so-called happening events, most-wanted invitations and so on. Yet, that’s not the only thing we do. 

What people don’t know is that we’re actually working while attending those events. Either covering the events as a review or report for the next issue, making approach to public persona in order that he/she wants to work with us, or simply interviewing them for our dearly readers. So it’s not like we’re partying the whole night and get hang over the next day.

It takes some sweats and tears making it

Do we get free stuff? Sometimes we do. Newly launched brand sometimes is so nice and give us their product. But once again, the free stuff is part of the job. Mostly we have to make a review out of it. So, please don’t be fooled by the things that we wear/ use. It’s like an extra pay for us promoting their products.

Do we make good money? Well it depends. On what stage of journalism hierarchy are you at? If you’re a starter, you probably would eat your heart out realizing trivial amount of money you get. You probably can splurge yourself on ‘big things’ when you’re already become a senior editor or managing editor or chief editor. While you’re working your way on top of the professional ladder, the competition is so fierce you’ll might end up losing your friends.

You’ll be part of ‘the-cool-group’. Well...a lot of people wanna be part of something hip, cool, and happening.  Basically they wanna be seen. The truth is so many of them trying too hard, they lost their self along the way and the result is you’ll meet many fakers, backstabbers, shallow people.. I mean really shallow (Once I met a girl who proudly said she would judge people based on the shoes they wear). Can you handle this? For me personally, this kind of ‘friendship’ is simply doesn’t worth any of your time.

We have crazy deadline. Everyone does. I know. The sad thing about this is we don’t get compensation for working overtime. What I know is that some of the publishing companies consider over time as the part of being a journalist. So they don’t bother giving us ‘appreciation’ of what we do outside our basic salary.  The deadline can be so nasty, even Sunday you have to work if it’s needed. So it comes to my conclusion that maybe the free stuff and invitations are the bonus we have.

Do I hate my job? It’s a love-hate relationship actually.  I think as long as I don’t lose myself along the way, I’ll keep this one. After you read this, I hope it could be an eye-opener for those who think working as a journalist in a magazine is all about partying and have fun. Because it's not. Thanks for reading :)