Expert: Torski Dobson-Arnold - 6/4/2010

Question
Hello,

I am a student of Engineering currently in my third year of studies. I want to switch my career and work in a fashion magazine as a PR person or an editor. I have realized it late that engineering is not the correct career option for me. It was also difficult to convince my family that I should do journalism or mass communication or study English. Can you please tell me what should I study for my masters that will be helpful when I want to apply to such a magazine?And what special skills I should acquire for that purpose? I have already learned three languages and I have also worked as a PR person in a magazine started by some of my friends in our city.

Thanking you in anticipation

Yours faithfully

Shreyasi Ghosh

Answer
Shreyasi,

You have already worked in the PR field so you already have a leg in the door into this career path and that is GREAT!  Many people search and search for years before they are able to actually get into a company and work in public relations.  With that "in" to the industry, I would capitalize and network to find more contacts within other magazines and connect with these folks either through professional PR associations and/or groups to market your skills and abilities.

I don't know that as this point you necessarily need to go back to get your master's degree unless that was just a goal that you wanted to attain for yourself.  In advertising/marketing/PR, it is more about who you know versus what you know as it relates to degrees.

I hope this helps!

Claiming nothing but success in all of your career endeavors,

Torski Dobson-Arnold
Your Career Confidence Coach