Michael Ryan

Domain Editor - Fairfax Community Network

Graduated in:

2008

Course completed:

Bachelor of Arts majoring in professional and creative writing

Currently working for:

Fairfax Community Network

How long have you been working for this organisation?

12 months

Position title and short job description:

Domain Editor. I manage and sub-edit the property section of 5 FCN magazines.

Working highlight so far:

Starting as a lifestyle journalist at FCN and having my first cover story published. Also, being promoted to my current position two months ago was a complete surprise.

What are the things you enjoy most about your job?

The great people I work with, being part of a community media organisation that is closely connected with Melbourne and its people and getting paid to do what I love.

An area in which you have needed assistance:

Most of my subjects at uni leant towards the creative writing side. I never studied Journalism, so when I started at FCN I had to learn on the job about interviewing, deadlines and how to find and develop stories that interest the community. In my current role I have had to learn the art of sub-editing rather quickly, luckily I have supportive workmates who are always there to help.

What do you intend to do in the future?

I still intend to develop my own writing and want to have my first novel published in the next 2 years. Eventually I would like to move on to screenplays. With sub-editing and journalism skills under my belt, I should (hopefully) find it easy to get paid work on the side.

#1 tip for current students studying your course:

It's a competitive industry and if you don't have someone else to help you get you a foot in the door, it can be very hard to get started. Use the university's resources and connections to your advantage. Uni is more than just theory, lectures, essays and exams, but the contacts you make and the opportunities that are provided to you. My job at FCN came out of a 2 week internship that was organised by Deakin and I wouldn't have this job if I didn't use that opportunity. So my best advice would be to apply for every internship, writing competition, casual job or whatever else comes along and you have a good chance of being a published writer or getting a job before you even graduate.