Name: Ivy Jacobson
Age: 28
Job Title and Description: Planning Editor, TheKnot.com & The Knot magazine
College Name/ Major: Florida State University, BA in Editing, Writing and Media; Pace University MS in Publishing
Website: theknot.com
Twitter and Instagram Handle: @ivyjacobson
What does your current job entail? Is there such thing as a typical day?
Ivy Jacobson: There's no such thing as a typical day, but that's what keeps you on your toes! I oversee all wedding planning content for TheKnot.com and The Knot magazines, write and edit features and trend pieces, interview wedding industry experts, co-host Wedding Wednesday on The Knot's Facebook, and oversee content for Bridal Fashion Week, Proposal Season (yep, it's a thing!), and The Knot Dream Wedding.
What is the best part of your job?
IJ: I have a few best parts. One: Weddings are all about celebrating your love with the people you love, so there's always a joyous bottom line to whatever article we're writing or app we're building. Two: As an editor, it's amazing to be at the forefront of trends and see how one idea or theme keeps evolving and how different couples can make it their own. Three: When you directly hear from a couple who says that some aspect of The Knot—whether it was an article, a tool or an app—helped them plan their wedding. Four: We're a company that celebrates every important life stage (along with our sister sites, The Bump and The Nest), and while we work extremely hard, we also celebrate a lot along the way—there's always a party, treats being delivered or champagne bottles popping on any given day in the office. Five: I'm very lucky to have the most brilliant, passionate, talented and hilarious coworkers by my side to pop those bottles with!
What was your first entry level job in your field and how did you get it?
IJ: I started out as an Executive Assistant to the Editor-in-Chief of Plum Hamptons magazine, a sadly now-defunct publication. I saw the posting on Ed2010.com and just went for it—I was tired of freelancing and was ready to take the plunge. Personally, I think being an EA is the best first job you can have in the industry—you literally learn everything from the ground up, meet everyone, get access to some seriously awesome opportunities, and see how making a publication works in every sense. I did this job while I was in grad school, and it was an education overload in the best way possible. It wasn't easy, but it was so worth it.
What is one thing you wish you knew about your industry when you first started out that you now know?
IJ: How small it is. If you work at a publishing house or publication, you start to meet people from similar publications, who've worked with people at other publications, and don't forget your boss, who has contacts and industry friends in large abundance. Always do your very best with any task, because you never know who you'll end up working with or for.
Who is one person that changed your professional life for the better?
IJ: I've been very lucky to work for multiple powerhouse editors who've been invaluable mentors and teachers throughout my career.
What is one mistake you made along the way and what did you learn from it?
IJ: Not educating myself about salary negotiations, benefits and 401k options early on in my career. Trust me, I know you may be scared to ask for a penny more, and paperwork for insurance options makes your brain hurt, and you may not even know what a 401k is—but taking just a few hours out of your week to read up on work-related finances or chat with a mentor is one of the smartest things you can do for your career and yourself, in the long run. You want to save and make money for yourself, not lose it without even knowing it.
What has been the most surreal moment of your career thus far?
IJ: This has absolutely nothing to do with being an editor, but when I was an assistant, I unknowingly went to Christy Turlington's home to pick up my boss' children from a playdate. She casually greeted me in the kitchen, and I almost passed out.
What do you look for when considering hiring someone?
IJ: Passion, a sense of urgency, common sense, kindness and a total can-do attitude. You don't need to check every qualification box, but you have to be willing to learn and able to pick up on what's going on in the room.
What advice would you give a 20-something with similar aspirations?
IJ: I can't tell you how many emails I get from 20-somethings who want to get on a similar path and say that they're looking for a job or internship and to please let them know of anyone hiring. I'm 100% happy to try and help anyone who reaches out—trust me, I've been there—but it's not my job to do the research and put the word out for you. Enter the conversation having done your own research already with some titles and websites you like and open positions you know of. Anyone will be much more willing to help or lend an ear when you've noticeably been proactive.