Coming to a newstand near you

Every time I pop into WH Smiths or my local newsagents, even if it's just to pick up a card or a new notepad, I can't help standing in front of the news-stand and endlessly picking up and flicking through the magazines sat before me.

Some blur into the shelves (namely gadgetry, sports and the red top papers). Others leap out at me, with their beautifully designed covers, and tantalising headlines that I struggle to put them back on the shelf.

I'll often have a quick peak inside and jot down the details from the Masthead into my phone, in the hope that I'll one day be writing for them. Several of them work in partnership with Catch 22 and offer internships to a lucky few trainees.

Conde Nast publishes several of the magazines that I am drawn to. They are beautifully presented – the design hits the target audience on the head and draws them in. Vogue, Glamour and GQ are among the many well-known flagship titles owned by the group, with circulation figures at 210,561, 526,216 and 120,063 respectively. The magazine that really stands out for me though, is CNN Traveller. It's a stunning glossy that conjures up wonderful images as you read the descriptive content and peer into the stunning pictures. The writing is innovative and intelligent, discussing relevant socio-political stories thereby giving a rounder picture of destinations. The print issue is complimented by a website which is equally well designed and illustrated.

At the other end of the scale - or should I say shelf – shunning the glossies and dealing with more pressing matters - is The Economist. A gleeful recipient of their '12 issues for £1' offer and self-proclaimed Platform Philosopher over the for and against ad's whilst waiting for the tube, it's a publication that allows you to delve into world affairs with in-depth analysis and news in brief from every continent. As a previous student of International Relations, it's nice to have a refresher and reminder of what's going on in the world. The satirical approach is a wonderful writing style that engages the reader. Humour goes a long way. Readership stands at 195,244 and grew in the first half of 2010. The website also includes video content - an area where it would be great to be able to put my TV experience to use.

Natmags, the group behind Harpers Bazaar and Esquire, has a strong hold on the news-stand. Like Conde Nast, their brands are known internationally, and the group has titles across a range of subjects. Zest was the magazine I grew up with (once I'd grown out of Shout, Sugar and Bliss etc...) and I enjoy its positive take on life – bright, healthy covers are complimented by lively and positive content. Other titles include Country Living and Coast. London is wonderful but I do miss wide open landscapes and the emptiness of the country sometimes.  These titles help remind me to head back every now and then. But as a woman in her mid twenties, there is a lot to be said for indulging in Harper's Bazaar and dreaming of the day I can wear those stunning clothes, preferably in one of the stunning locations the magazine features. It will happen.

The turn of the handle...

Journalism: the activity or profession of writing for newspapers or magazines or of broadcasting news on radio or television (Oxford Dictionary).

And what about online? Sounds like the Oxford English Dictionary is behind with the times.

Journalism is one of those industries that everyone wants to get into.  People in the business say it's poorly paid, involves long hours, and isn't a reliable career. But the same people who moan about it all the time LOVE what they do, and wouldn't give it up for the world. Which explains why there are still loads of us young, eager writers who are trying to get a foot in the door.

Instead of complaining about our situation maybe we should take a positive view on it - unlike the writers of the dictionary, we've grown up in an era of technology - the internet, twitter, social networking, citizen journalism...



...these things don't phase us, we embrace them. So maybe we're at an advantage when it comes to the future of journalism.

Catch 22 Academy is a social enterprise helping budding journalists like me enter the profession, teaching us the fundamental skills we need to build a career in this sought after field.  High profile industry contacts provide valuable internships and work experience and we're all chomping at the bit to show the world what we can do.

Most of us have pretty sore toes and scuffed nails from kicking and pulling at doors for quite a while. But Catch 22 is helping us to turn the handle of that foreboding door - the first step to getting our foot in it.