EXPERT SPOTLIGHT With Nicholas Fonseca
From politics to pop culture, journalist Nicholas Fonseca has penned it all. The Deputy Editor of Stellar Magazine joins us last week to talk all things career.
Can you share with us your top career highlight?
It would have to be the decade I spent working for Entertainment Weekly in New York City. I got to be a part of an amazing and hugely respected title that opened so many doors, both personally and professionally, and taught me pretty much everything I needed to know about conducting myself as a journalist - to say nothing of people skills. I got to travel and visit film and TV sets, spend time with celebrities (everything from a dinner date with Kelly Clarkson to a party in the Hamptons with the cast of Gossip Girl, and that's just two of dozens of pinch-me experiences), attend the Oscars, the Emmys, the MTV Video Music Awards (yes, I was there when Britney performed in the nude bodysuit!) and the Sundance Film Festival... being on the frontlines to watch the entertainment industry do what it does - both skilfully and ridiculously - was invaluable.
What’s one thing you didn’t expect to discover in this industry?
I had to learn a lot about how publicity and gatekeeping work. I wasn't used to being told "no" when I started working in journalism, so learning how to negotiate, sweet-talk and essentially bargain my way to answers and access was a skill set that took a very long time for me to perfect. The truth is, 25 years after starting in this business, I'm still doing that.
What qualities do you look for in an intern?
Somebody who is ambitious without being arrogant. Somebody who is hungry. Somebody who is not precious about doing the smallest of tasks. Somebody who is a professional and who understands that they can learn so much by simply being there and soaking in the atmosphere, the discussions and the behaviour of those who around them. And most importantly, somebody who is willing to tough it out. Journalism isn't for the weak! You will work like a dog, but if you do it right, you will also have a lot of fun.