Meet a Journalist

A journalist's profile, stories and career in the field of journalism. Know a journalist who should be profiled here? Send an e-mail to Janet E. Bardon

January 25, 2002
Ann-Margret Hovsepian
Professional Writer
annhov@total.net

Why did you choose journalism?
What was your second career choice?
Where did you complete post-secondary education?
Where did you attend journalism school?
What experience best prepared you for the job of journalist?

Actually, I didn't choose journalism. I think it chose me.

My first choice for a career was Chemical Technology and that's what I was studying in college... until I realized I was not enjoying it. My heart wasn't in it anymore and I had to quickly decide what I wanted to do. I transferred my credits into the Pure and Applied Sciences program simply to finish the requirements of my college diploma but I had no idea what career path I wanted to follow.

Thinking I should remain in some kind of scientific or technical field, I applied to university for studies in Computer Science. In the meantime, my father was advising me to consider my talents, skills and interests and he mentioned writing, English, reading, etc. I knew he was right but I protested: "What am I supposed to do with those skills? Become a writer?!" I just couldn't see a career in writing receiving the same kind of "approval" from people as a career in the sciences would.

Well, in the midst of applying to and being rejected from Computer Science... twice... I landed what was to be a temporary job with a small trade magazine publisher. I did proofreading and typesetting and some administrative work. Over the next four years I learned the ins and outs of the publishing industry and got involved with editorial procedures, production, ad copy writing, copy editing and more. My employer also agreed to finance a correspondence course in journalism and I completed this with highest honours.

While I was working, I started to do some freelance writing on the side. I even wrote a feature story for my employer's magazine. I had also been editing my church newsletter for several years and I realized that I really enjoyed everything about publishing -- writing, editing, designing, proofreading, etc. I finally decided to launch my own business and I quit my job. I secured a contract with my employer to continue providing copy editing services on a freelance basis. I set up my home office and soon I was getting writing assignments from a couple of national magazines, as well as some desktop publishing, proofreading and editing jobs.

What are some of the highlights of your career?

Considering I never went to journalism school or had formal training in my career, you can imagine how exciting it was when I started getting assignments for feature stories. Okay, so it wasn't for glossy consumer magazines, but the religious magazines I was writing for were national ones with significant readership. And in each publication I wrote for, I landed a cover or front-page story.

I also began attending writing conferences and joining professional associations. These have had a tremendous impact on my career.

Do you have any recommendations for those considering a journalism career today?

I'd say: just do it! If you want a good full-time job with a big newspaper or magazine you probably need a degree from journalism school. However, from my own experience, you don't need a journalism degree to be a journalist. Experience and skill can only truly be gained by getting out there and doing the work of a journalist. Find stories, write them, send them in. Be open to criticism and rejection. But do the work of a journalist!

To learn more about my work, please visit my web site: www.annhovsepian.com