Last week Steve Cropley, the editor in chief of “Autocar” magazine visited Coventry University and delivered an inspirational speech on “How to get in and get ahead in journalism”. Steve has been a journalist for “Autocar” since 1991 and is also a visiting professor at Coventry University.
Born in Australia, Steve set out to be an engineer, but “fell into journalism”. He spoke with passion about everything, from the main characteristics of a good journalist to cars and motorcycles.
To get ahead in the profession, one needs a good relationship with the reader, as well as a great deal of luck. Even when Steve ended up with two better qualified people, the lucky circumstances got him the job.
Determination and adaptability are two other important qualities for a successful career. When he was working on “Wheels”, an Australian sporting magazine, he established relationships with UK editors and started sending stories. After a while, he was offered a job, packed up and left Australia in a week.
According to him, to be able to live a life like that is a privilege. “It has been the most amazing experience”, he said. “No day has ever been the same”.
A final piece of advice? Read, read, and read. Everyone is a competition, even the person you are sitting next to. “Do anything you can do to prove you are special”, Steve said. “You just have to want it badly enough”.Labels: 101mc |
