Digital editor and author for the stylish NUVO Magazine, Ben Dreith, shares the highlights of his career and what he wishes people knew about a career in editorial.
What inspired you to start your career at NUVO?
Well, I applied because I was interested in working with independent media in Vancouver, and NUVO is a great and diverse platform – a dream for an editor.
What was your first Industry job?
Writing music reviews for small magazines in Denver and then for the Vancouver Weekly. This gave me a chance to practice my journalistic skills while I was in school and to go and see concerts more often. Writing and curating things that you already enjoy is always the best place to start because you can focus on the writing since you already know why it’s interesting.
What has been the biggest challenge you have had to overcome?
Writing about something new or editing for a writer who works in a subject I am not familiar with is always a challenge. Working with some of the restraints and techniques of online publishing also present a challenge because the requirements of search engines seem to be changing constantly, this goes for social media as well. Staying on top of the changing nature of digital media is tough, but it is also a great place to start conversations and to allow for creative collaboration.
What has been a highlight of your career?
Seeing my words in print was always a dream, but being able to get the ideas of writers from pitch to full-fledged articles is definitely the most rewarding – it’s a bonus if a lot of people read it as well.
What motivates you in your work?
The passion and detail that goes into the work that I report on, which is mostly architecture and design.
In one word – describe your work.
Varying.
What are 2 things you wish others knew about your career?
First, that it’s not all glitz and glamour. Editorial is hard work and working means paying close attention to the details and know that sometimes an article just does not take off. Second, I am trained as an Anthropologist and never really imagined I would be working lifestyle editorial, but that no matter what people tell you, follow your interests and the skills you learn from pursuing them will come back to help you be the person that you need to be.
Categories:
Ask the Expert
Tags:
Ask the Expert, interview, Journalism, magazine, Media
