Cambridge Publishing Scholarship

Charlotte Armstrong was awarded the Cambridge Publishing Scholarship for the year 2009-10. She writes about her experience on the MA Publishing at Oxford Brookes. To find out how to enter for this year’s scholarship, and the other awards available, please visit here:

http://ah.brookes.ac.uk/publishing/postgraduate_scholarships/

During my undergraduate degree in English Lit, I became interested in getting into publishing. I had always loved books, and really enjoyed the publishing-related activities I had been involved in at uni, such as being involved in the student newspaper. However, I realised that I actually had little practical understanding of the publishing industry, or indeed any real business acumen, and decided to apply for the Brookes Publishing MA to address these shortcomings. I cannot emphasize enough how much the course has helped me develop my early enthusiasm and experiences into more practical, career-focused aims. ...

The course is both broad, giving a fantastic overview of publishing sectors and publishing functions, and specific, teaching technical skills such as proofreading and the use of digital design software. However, I think the most evident and impressive thing about the course is the strong reputation it maintains across the publishing world, and the industry links it offers the students. Lecturers illuminate theory with examples from their own experience, and organise many events throughout the year, such as the Working in Publishing day, where students can meet and form connections with those in the industry. My attendance at the Bologna Children’s book fair in March this year was particularly exciting and a great opportunity to see the industry at work on a large scale. Moreover, the number of publishers I have met who have themselves taken the Brookes Publishing MA and are now in roles similar to the ones I aim to pursue is very reassuring!

Most importantly for me, the course has provided the opportunity to put what I have learned in the classroom into practice. I have secured two work placements this year – an editorial role at Wiley and a marketing internship at Oxford University Press, and for my Major Project I have been given the responsibility for the publication of a fine press book for a charitable publisher. The course has without a doubt given me the necessary tools and knowledge to make the most out of these opportunities.

The Cambridge University Press scholarship has been a great help to me this year, both financially and, I feel, has helped me to secure work placements. My experience on the course has been invaluable, and I now feel confident and armed with the necessary skills to take the next step in my publishing career.

Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 11 Jun 2010 around 8am

Filed Under #Publishing