Name: Kaitlin Cubria
Age: 24
Job Title: Entertainment Editor at Teen.com
College/Major: Hofstra University/Public relations major with minors in journalism and speech communication
Twitter Handle: @KCubes
What was your first entry-level job in your field and how did you get it?
Kaitlin Cubria: My first job out of college was as editorial assistant at Alloy Digital for Teen.com, gURL.com and Alloy.com.
In April of my senior year at Hofstra, a former supervisor from my web internship at Seventeen messaged me online and asked if I would consider a position at his new place of employment, Alloy, upon graduation. He said it would involve a great deal of what I enjoyed about Seventeen—but as a full-time employee! I immediately sent him my resume, interviewed with his boss and the rest is history.
What’s a typical day like for you? What does your job entail?
KC: Teen readers are especially interested in music, movies, celebrities and TV, so on most days, I pitch, write and edit news and feature content pertaining to those facets. And I love every second of it!
What is one thing you wish you knew about your industry when you first started out that you know now?
KC: I wish I knew that, as a member of the media industry, you wear many hats. You don't just have your one position, your one job title. For example, as a web editor, you can also wear hats for video producer, brand representative and reporter. I think it would be helpful to know this in college, so you can at least sign up for classes in those different arenas rather than pigeonhole yourself into just one sector of the industry.
Who is one person who changed your professional life for the better?
KC: Dan Koday—he was one of my supervisors from my intern days at Seventeen.com turned supervisor at Teen; he’s the one who snagged me an interview at Alloy. Dan signed me up for my first press trip, sent me off on my first red carpet and trusted me to go to another country for a set visit after less than a year on the job ... He had faith in my abilities from the get-go, and that was only after working with me as an intern for three months! I credit him for literally everything.
Is there a quote you live by?
KC: "Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life." -Confucius
What is the best part of your job?
KC: The interview opportunities! I've met the most interesting people on the job that I don't think I ever would have had the chance to meet had I not been in the position I am in today, at least not as early in the game.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years? Do you have a dream job?
KC: Still working in the digital world in some way, shape or form. In all actuality, it may even be a position that hasn't even been invented yet. You can't say it can't happen; it's not like you could've aspired to be a social media manager 10 years ago. Since I was a kid, though, my dream job has forever been editor-in-chief at Seventeen.
What advice would you give to a 20-something with similar aspirations?
KC: Keep in touch with the people who know your work, and more importantly, your work ethic best. Never burn bridges, because these are the ones who can speak to your abilities when it comes time for recommendations or even potential job opportunities.
Along the same token, get in touch, especially with the people within your own network. I've been contacted by members of my college community asking if we can go out for coffee sometime so they can learn more about what I do, what the industry's about, the works. There are a fair amount of professionals who are willing to lend a hand whenever possible. However, don't immediately jump the gun and ask, "Are there any jobs at your company?" That's a faux pas.
