Archive ? Indianapolis Monthly editor offers career advice for ...

M. Jessica Contrera | April 15, 2012

Amanda Heckert is hungry. And she has been all her life.

Thursday, she came to Ernie Pyle Hall to share that hunger with magazine-loving students.

Heckert, the newly-appointed editor of Indianapolis Monthly, believes that hunger is the most important quality a person in the magazine business can have.

?You have to constantly push yourself to work hard and learn more,? she said.

As the editor of a 42,000 circulation magazine at only age 30, Heckert knows a thing or two about success. Before Indianapolis Monthly, Heckert edited and wrote for Newcomer magazine and Atlanta Monthly.

She said she loves working at city magazines, because the job allows for variety in her reporting life.

?You get to cover everything,? she said. ?You?re writing about a fashion trend, then a murder trial, then a spa. You get to become a mini expert on many topics.?

Lecturer Nancy Comiskey, who teaches several magazine writing and editing classes, invited Heckert to speak with several groups of students throughout the day.

?I appreciated the fact that Amanda has only been in Indianapolis for a couple of months, and yet she gave up a day of her time to talk with students and faculty,? said Comiskey, a former managing editor at the Indianapolis Star who has freelanced for Indianapolis Monthly. Her son, Daniel Comiskey, MA?05, is deputy editor for the magazine. ?I think that shows she values the connection between Indianapolis Monthly and the School of Journalism, just as we do."

During her visit, Heckert met with four magazine-related classes and was the central attraction at a Meet the Pro session to share her expertise on many facets of the magazine world.

Heckert told students that it?s also easier to get your foot in the door at a city magazine compared to a national or consumer magazine.

?You gain experience much more quickly,? Heckert said. ?In my first year at Atlanta, I was already writing feature stories. It?s a great way to make a name for yourself.?

Heckert seemed positive that the industry was recovering from any setbacks the economy has caused.

?It was incredibly encouraging that she said the industry is looking up,? said sophomore Emma Grdina, who attended the Meet the Pro event. ?For someone considering working in magazines, Amanda was a very helpful person to talk to.?

Heckert also gave specific advice on how to land a great job or internship opportunity. She said although clips and resumes are important, cover letters are what make applicants shine. And the more specific a cover letter is, the better.

?Don?t just tell me you have a passion for magazines. Show me that passion,? she said.

Heckert recommended applicants share their published work or story ideas that fit the magazines for which they are applying. She said the same goes for pitching freelance stories.

?Always read the magazine and know what they are looking for,? she said. ?Make it as easy as possible for the editor to say ?yes? to you.?

Comiskey said she appreciated that Heckert was straightforward about what it is like to start a career in the magazine business.

"I liked her advice on getting an internship or entry-level job and making the most of it,? Comiskey said. ?Going to meetings, sharing ideas, volunteering for assignments?basically working hard so you exceed your editor's expectations."

A key part of being ?hungry,? Heckert said, is constantly aiming for improvement. She encouraged students to relentlessly write and read the stories of others.

?Never stop reading,? she said. ?And when you read, think critically about the story. What question did the reporter ask to get that information? Why did they choose to structure it this way??

Heckert talked about the importance of goal, and not being afraid to take risks or ask for help. When she first started working at Atlanta, Heckert told her editor that one day, she wanted to be a top editor as well.

?If you tell your superiors where you want to be, they will help you get there.?

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This entry was posted on April 15, 2012 at 6:09 p.m. and is filed under Features.

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