Emily Hopcroft
Graduated: June 2010
What are you doing now?
I am currently working as an Account Executive for the Conde Nast Publishing House. This involves working on a number of international and diverse magazine brands including Vogue, Glamour, GQ, Vanity Fair, Conde Nast Traveller, Tatler, Easy Living and House and Garden. I work on the display advertising and inserts within the magazines which involves liaising with both media agencies as well as direct clients. My role is incredibly varied from creating and giving presentations and proposals, negotiations, client relations and brand marketing.
How did you get to that point?
I have always been incredibly passionate about magazines and media. Initially I wanted to go into the journalism side of things but after a number of work experience placements, I realised that I wanted something much more fast- paced and challenging which is where I gained an interest in advertising. I applied for the National Magazine Company (now Hearst) graduate scheme and was lucky enough to be accepted and started instantly after graduating. I absolutely loved my time there and the training was fantastic. I started off selling classified advertising across their entire print and online portfolio and was promoted after 3 months to work in the composite advertorial department. After over a year, I was ready to make the step to display and when this job came up at Conde Nast [external link, opens in a new window], I had to go for it and I absolutely love it. My dream is to be a magazine publisher.
How did University prepare you for that?
University prepared me in a number ways for my job now both in and out of the lecture hall. Firstly, modules such as Magazine Publishing, Event Management, Writing in the Media and Advertising and Consumption are all incredibly relevant to my job now. All of these modules improved both my written and communication skills, taught me how to present as well as how to work both individually and as a team. Out of the lecture hall, I was very much involved in a number of societies including debating and the squash team which taught me both leadership skills and how to work in a team.
Do you have any advice for students?
Work experience-it is 100% essential and really shows you a lot about the industry as well as looking fantastic on your CV
Be prepared to work incredibly hard - if you really want it then you will get there Make sure you enjoy what you are doing. You are going to have to work for a very long time so make sure that you love what you do at least 75% of the time!