A giant, stupid leap off a cliff into the dark

In March, I left my cushy sales job in order to pursue a career in journalism. I bought the sales pitch from my tutors at Central Saint Martins–intern for six months, bowl people over with talent and beauty, and within a year you’ll become lauded in media circles as a (female) Gay Talese or a twenty-first century Dorothy Parker.

Sadly, life often doesn’t work out quite so simply. I enjoyed a very successful internship at Esquire, and through their kind recommendations I managed to get some more writing experience. The trouble is, working from home restricted me from building new contacts. Now, four months later and without any interview prospects or even a second internship, leaving my old job was beginning to look like a giant stupid leap off a cliff into dark, piranha-infested waters. I could go and ask my old boss for my advertising job, but I’d be giving up on my dream and returning to a life more ordinary. Even worse, I’ve found out that answering phones actually pays better than my old sales job.
But in spite of the lack of immediate success, I am persevering. Next month, I return to school for nine weeks on a magazine writing course. It will be an intense test of my skills and perseverance, and the economic downturn may limit graduation opportunities, but I must continue to try doing what I love most.

So, while I’ll still be writing stories about my handbags, the geekery of my housemates, the movies I like (and dislike) and the inane events of my life. But right now, I look forward to delving into my experience in journalistic education and job hunting.

Coming soon, for your shaudenfreudic pleasure: Petah Marian’s continuing adventures in Journalism.