Examentrainers

Work experience
Trying out a career helps you discover if it’s right for you

This week: publishing

1		No matter how much excitement
		everybody felt about the release of
		the latest Harry Potter film, it won’t
		match the frenzy that surrounds the
		publication of a new Harry Potter
		book. JK Rowling is living proof of the
		health of the publishing industry.				Potter pottiness: even the release of a
2		“People tend to think that				new Harry Potter film couldn’t match
		publishing is all about editing,” says				the excitement that surrounds
		Michael O’Brien, founder of the Irish				a new JK Rowling book
		O’Brien Press. “They don’t think of
		the other jobs, like marketing, sales,		6		O’Brien advises people to look at
		design or production.” The small size				who they know. “See whether your
		of Irish publishers, such as O’Brien,				parents or teachers know anybody
		means there tends to be a lot of				working in publishing. You’d be
		crossover between departments, and				surprised at how many people you
		people can move from one to another.				know. It’s still the best way of getting
		“The hardest part is getting your foot				in.”
		inside the door,” says Rachel Pierce		7		The retail end of the industry is
		of Verba Editing House. “No matter				also looking healthy. As well as the
		what department has a space, jump at				shop floor, there are marketing and
		the opportunity and learn whatever you				buying departments, and shops such
		can. It all helps.”				as Hughes & Hughes have
3		O’Brien and Pierce agree that work				management training programmes.
		experience is very important if you can				“You need a passion for books,” says
		get it. “Make your letter and CV				Derek Hughes of Hughes & Hughes.
		original, not just the regular one that				“Good people skills and personal drive
		you could send anywhere,” says				and ambition are also useful qualities
		O’Brien. “Give a solid reason for your				to have.”
		interest, tell us what you’re reading or		8		The Society of Publishers in
		mention where you buy your books ….				Ireland, which holds events every now
		Don’t say you want to be an editor; just				and again, welcomes students. Pierce,
		be willing to work in any department				who is its secretary, encourages
		and find out as much as possible.”				people to get in touch. “We have a
4		Pierce stresses the value of getting				website, and if people give us a call
		the basics right. “Ensure that				beforehand we can let them know what
		everything is well presented,” she				they might enjoy. It would be a good
		says. “You can get letters from people				way of finding out a bit more and also
		who even misspell ‘editor’, which				meeting people who are already
		doesn’t look good.”				working in publishing.”
5		Luck has a lot to do with it: it can
		be a matter of simply phoning at the				The society’s website is www.the-spi.com.
		right time, when a publishing house				Also have a look at www.obrien.ie and
		needs somebody to do odd jobs for a				www.hughesbooks.com.
		week.