She's an up-and-coming journalist who's been interning at teen bible, Dolly magazine. Cherie Donnellan kindly gives us the lowdown on what it was like stepping into those hallowed halls. Want more? Visit her blog, Label Me Happy, and tweet her here.
1. Tell us about yourself and why you'd like to work in magazines.
My name is Cherie Donnellan. I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (Journalism) with distinction from Deakin University last year. I'm currently working at a Victorian regional newspaper as a news reporter and entertainment writer. We are also just about to launch a lifestyle magazine about our region and I have written a fair few pieces for it (which is great). I'm glad to be working somewhere that allows me to write in such a broad range of styles. My ultimate goal is to work solely in the magazine industry (first as a writer and then as an editor...if I'm lucky!) because I, simply put, love magazines! I grew up reading them and my love has never wavered.
2. How did you apply to become an intern? Did you contact many different magazines?
I completed a few internships while I studied. Two of them - the
Geelong Advertiser (News Limited newspaper) and
Melbourne Weekly magazine (and its associated titles with Fairfax Community Network) - were organised through my university's work experience program. Both those internships gave me invaluable insight into how media organisations worked. I got to experience the differences between a daily publication (the Addy) and a weekly (
Melbourne Weekly). After completing my degree, I contacted
Dolly magazine and they had an available placement in February 2012. I took it immediately. I had contacted a couple of magazines about work placements in previous years but they didn't have any available positions.
3. What was your first day of interning at Dolly like?
I loved my first day at
Dolly. Just being in the ACP foyer was a dream. I noticed quite a few familiar faces (because I regularly stalk mastheads) and that made me equally nervous and excited. I first met editorial co-ordinator Dani and one of the regular interns who took me around the office for a meet-n-greet. The standout for me was when fashion editor, Lotta Backlund, complimented me on the vintage mint green blazer I'd worn. I was stoked.
4. What did a typical day involve?
There wasn't a typical day. The tasks were quite varied. There were a lot of research tasks concerning anything and everything that
Dolly readers would be interested in - fashion, celebrities, news, life issues etc. I also had to complete a few feedback tasks which included assessing an issue of
Dolly mag, commenting on what worked and what didn't for me as a reader and even suggesting what could have better grabbed readers' attention.
5. What were your best experiences while interning?
I couldn't pick one. Going to Sydney and just being allowed into the ACP offices was a great experience. I've love to work with ACP one day.
6. Tell us about the blog you've started, Label Me Happy.
Label Me Happy originally started in 2008 as a blog about stereotypes and how they constantly failed to acturately describe a person as a whole. But it kind of morphed into a blog about my experiences as a twenty-something girl and the experiences of others within my world. I'm quite up front in beliefs in my posts but I love when people comment and show me a different point of view (some I take on board, and sometimes I stick firmly with my original argument). I often write abour quite personal issues and so I don't often specify names because I don't want to totally piss everyone off, ha ha.
7. How would you describe your fashion and beauty style?
I'd say my style is quite ecclectic. I love vintage pieces - particularly from the 80s (hello, power suits). I love designer pieces but they're not always attainable with my budget, so I take my inspiration from the catwalk and make it work in an everyday setting. I more often wear heels than flats. I probably have a wardrobe more suited to winter than summer.
My everyday beauty look is quite simple - foundation, mascara and bronzer are my staples. On the weekends, I add eyeliner, fill in my eyebrows and maybe even throw on a bright lip colour. I must admit, I wear some form of makeup nearly every day but I always make sure to wash my face well morning and night so I have clear skin.
8. What are your career goals for the future?
I would ultimately love to break into the women's magazine industry. I'd like to think that I could work hard and become an editor. That would be the dream. If that happens in Australia, brilliant, but I wouldn't turn down any overseas opportunities either.
