Media is a relatively young academic discipline that once had a lot to prove, but in today’s media-dominated cultural landscape, media and communications have become some of the most relevant and powerful subjects you could choose to study. It is an industry that now offers dedicated professionals a myriad of exciting and lucrative career opportunities. -http://www.topuniversities.com/courses/communication-media-studies/guide
Monochrome chats to Cindy van Wyk, a sub-editor at The Namibian newspaper, about the joys and challenges of her exciting career.
So who is Cindy?
Born and raised in Windhoek, Cindy is a 25-year-old sub editor and columnist who is passionate about literature, love, feminism, fat girl fitness, good food and good grammar. She started at The Namibian as an intern in 2013 and has been the sub editor in the Supplements Department since August 2014. She can be found on Twitter and Instagram as @SugaryOblivion.
What did you study?
I did an Honours Degree in Print Media and English at the University of Namibia. I graduated in May 2014.
Is this what you have always wanted to do? When did you know?
To be honest, no. I studied Media because I saw it as the ‘first step’ to being a writer. I never really wanted to be a journalist and I realised pretty early on that it wasn’t really my cup of tea. After a few months as a journo, I sort of “fell into” sub editing. That’s when I realised that this is what I was born to do.
Talk to us about the duties and responsibilities of a sub-editor.
I sub edit and proof read articles and features for several supplements, as well as for the daily entertainment page. My job is to take a piece of writing, check it for grammar and spelling errors; make sure it “flows” and that it makes sense. You could say I “polish” them up. In a nutshell, I take a good piece of writing and make it great. Or at least, that’s what I try to do. I’m still learning every day.
How far away are you from the role as editor?
*laughs* There’s A LOT that goes into being the editor of a newspaper. Beyond having years and years of experience in journalism, you also have to have experience in business. I don’t have any ambitions (at the moment, anyway) of being the editor, but if I did, it would probably take me another 20 years.
What does your week always look like?
No two weeks look exactly alike but Monday to Wednesdays are very busy, whereas things calm down a bit on Thursdays. Fridays are my most “chilled” days, which I love!
Your daily routine?
I get to the office around 08h00 and by the time I get there, there’s usually a stack of newspapers on my desk. I check my emails before I do anything else and then I’ll usually read through the papers, unless I’m really busy. On any given day, I work on articles from several supplements so I’m busy pretty much all throughout the day. I can’t really say I have a set routine, though. I have deadlines to meet but I often get asked to check something here or there. The only constant is that there’s always something to do. *chuckles*
What do you love most about your job?
I’m really passionate about English and literature so I enjoy the essence of my job, but my favourite part is sitting back to read a great article I subbed and proofed or sitting back to read a great column I wrote. The moment you sit back and realise “damn, I’m good at this!”, that’s always an amazing feeling.
What do you like least about your job?
It’s unavoidable but the thing I like least about my job is that we sit in a shared office. Don’t get me wrong, I work with some amazing people and most days we laugh and joke all throughout the day but sometimes I wish I had an office to “retreat” to. Especially when I’m having a bad day and I’d rather just be moody all by myself. But I’m sure once I get that “wish” granted, I’ll miss everyone and all the laughs.
Any challenges?
Working under pressure is a big part of my job and while I can handle it most days, sometimes it does get to me. Like I said, I’m still learning. Learning how to handle stress, how to work better under pressure, how to not let the stress turn me into a monster… Haha. It’s a work in progress. I’m a work in progress.
Favorite moment in your career? Like ever?
I love teaching and that makes up a big part of my job. It’s always rewarding to teach someone something new and see their eyes light up with they “get it” and apply it to their writing. Those are my favourite moments.
Does being a sub-editor include power dressing or is “plain tee and jeans” the go-to style?
I’m lucky to work in a very chilled environment, so most days my work style consists of maxi dresses or leggings and a top, but I do share an office with a few fashionistas so I try to keep it cute. I love dresses, that’s what you can find me wearing most often.
If your life were a newspaper headline what would it be?
Haha! Probably something like this…
Cindy van Wyk: I Don’t Have It All Figured Out – And That’s OK
How do newspaper (sub) editors ensure that they aren’t using the same headline as another publication? Or does it not matter?
I can’t speak for anyone else but I don’t think that’s something editors think of at all. I don’t think of that. What I do think of is whether a headline is factual, whether it goes well with the story and whether it grabs the reader’s attention. Headline writing is an art so sometimes there will be duplications amongst publications but the articles will never be exactly the same so I don’t think it matters.
Working at a newspaper-publishing house, so do you like, know everything?
Haha! Not even in the slightest. I try my best to keep up with the current events and I absolutely love learning and reading, so I know a lot about a lot, but I don’t think anyone can ever know everything.
Do you have any pet peeves as a sub-editor?
I work with a great team which makes my job a lot easier so I can’t really complain, but something I hate is a lack of communication.
What career advice do you live by?
- Everyone always says you should “follow your dream” or “follow your heart”. Sometimes our dreams don’t pay the bills. There’s no shame in doing something that feeds you and your family, even if it’s not exactly what you saw yourself doing when you were younger. But in the same breath: Don’t let the dream die. Part-time, as a hobby, on the side, keep doing that thing that makes your heart sing. Until you can do it full time, all the time. (Haha! That’s so corny!)
- Doing what you love doesn’t automatically mean everything is going to be easy. It’ll be hard. You will want to quit. You will be tired. Take a nap, take some time to yourself, take care of yourself and tomorrow… Get back to the grind.
- Sometimes you do your dream job. And sometimes the dream changes. Don’t be afraid to change direction. This doesn’t mean you failed or you wasted your time. It means that you’re always growing and learning and changing and that your dreams are too.
What advice would you give to kids studying towards a career in journalism?
- Read, read, read! I know you’re probably tired of hearing that from your lecturers but it really is important.
- Don’t only read a lot but read widely. Try new books, new authors, new magazines, different newspapers…
- Stay up to date with current affairs.
- Make sure this is what you really want to do. Does journalism excite you? Are you passionate about informing the public? Do you have a hunger for knowledge? Then you’re in the right place. If not, don’t panic. You can always change your path, it’s all up to you.
- And lastly, if you want to write, write! It’s as simple as that.
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