Job Responsibilities
Currently, I basically do the leg work for my boss. I type
letters, select programs for her to buy, conduct research so
that she knows who to contact regarding materials. It's
basically an assistant job, but that's what entry-level jobs are
all about. I learned, after graduating, that a two to three
year entry-level job is what someone needs before they can move
up to a job with more responsibilities.
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Job Requirements
At NYU, once you have decided on a major and a serious direction
for your study, it is not difficult to find classes that suit
your interests. However, it would be difficult for serious
freshman to find great classes--signing up for classes is based
upon seniority (seniors get first pick, juniors second, etc).
Also, a lot of classes require some basic experience in a major
before you can take them on. Unfortunately, the basic classes
and even basic requirements are generally boring and
overcrowded. Still, if you can make it through them (or find a
loophole to skip them), then the program (I studied English and
American Literature) is amazing, filled with professors who are
leaders in the field.
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Uppers
The best part of my job is that it deals with the industry that I want to work
in. With an English degree, I'm made for jobs in publishing, and even an entry
level job means that I get to deal with what I am passionate about--books. So
even the worst tasks are kind of a joy.
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Downers
The worst part about my job is that the company is incredibly
small, so that I have learned almost as much as I can, and feel
that I am running through the motions a lot of the time. I
would like to work in a bigger company where I have room to move
up, and where there are more departments to learn from.
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Lifestyle
This is a basic position--10am-6pm, Monday through Friday. However, because it
is a small company the hours are slightly flexible (work earlier one day, later
the next). Still, that can be a burden, because my boss often needs me on the
weekends, and the work becomes more than full time without the overtime. Despite
the idea that bigger companies are impersonal, a smaller one can take advantage
of the needs of an entry-level employee; and without a system, it is difficult to
complain. The dress code is lax, which is a plus. I really recommend that
graduating students look for a job is a special section of a larger company, so
that there is room to grow and a specific set of guidelines that they know are
set in concrete. That way, the graduate enters a system where there is room to
grow, and they aren't as exploited as they might be in a smaller place. (There
are advantages to a smaller office, such as, more responsibilities, BUT I would
stress that most entry-level jobs are just that, entry level).
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Compensation
I am paid $10/hour, which is not much. But smaller companies
(particularly in the publishing industry) cannot afford to pay
much. There are no bonuses, no benefits. But, it's a job, and
in New York City, my friends and I all took what we could get,
because the job market is very bad at the moment.
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Advice to Jobseekers
My advice would be to get as much experience while an
undergraduate in publishing as you can--they are always looking
for interns, and it's a great way to learn about the industry,
what area you might like (editorial, marketing etc), and how
each sector works. That way, when you get out there, the
publishing houses will look favorably upon your experience, and
you will be able to interview with confidence about the field.
It's always best to show that you are interested and know a
little about the industry--even if you don't have experience, go
and read up on the company you are interviewing for--make them
feel like you believe that their workplace is special, and then
they'll want you on their team. In the publishing field at the
moment, it's hard to find a job, and I don't forsee the
marketplace improving over the next couple of years. Still, if
it's what you want to do, go for it, and just get the edge on
other graduates by having a string of internships (I can't
stress that enough--so many jobs are even the result of a great
internship experience, where you will be interning at a company,
and they like how you work and simply hire you!!--that's the
best, and least stressful, way to get a job as a graduating
student).
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