30 June 2009

nikita

Nikita is a journalism student at the University of Johannesburg. She took a road trip down to Cape Town to spend a week at seventeen HQ!

18 May
Waking up to an overcast chilly morning, the weather was competing with how I was feeling before I arrived at seventeen HQ. My nerves silenced my usual confident blabbermouth because I was stepping into the unknown. I was worried about what lay ahead for me because the only part I’ve ever played in a magazine is purchasing and reading! My day started off with a production meeting where I met all the lovely ladies of seventeen. Khwezi then assigned me to play with the latest digital camera, the Canon Digital IXUS 110is, to review for the Digi Diva page – check out page 50 of the July issue, on sale 1 July, to see my thoughts!

Playing with the camera!

19 May
I was super-excited today as I had a better grasp of what was happening. I started my research for Khwezi on an inspiring story that was discussed in yesterday’s features meeting – which I can say was filled with loads of jokes and laughter – but don’t worry the meeting was very successful with fabulous ideas for the August issue! In between the research, I phoned seventeeners for Pam and Liza (always nice to chat on the phone) and went to UCT with Liza to interview some boys for the Dance issue! UCT is a pretty varsity (yes, I said pretty) compared to UJ! The group of boys sure had a lot to say – check out page 47 in the July issue! I swear time here at seventeen HQ flys by! Before I knew it, it was another day gone. But I did have fun working here.

Showing Ayanda what I needed him to comment on
All the boys at UCT

20 May
I got loads of research done for the inspirational feature but I was getting worried if what I found wasn’t good enough! I helped Pam by phoning more people and correcting phone numbers for the stockists page – telling people I’m calling from seventeen sounds great to me. As my day ended, Liza gave me the checklist for the Digi Diva review page so I could start typing up my answers – wish I could keep the cameras!

21 May
This week definitely went by too fast… sigh. I’m ecstatic I came down to seventeen to find out what happens at a magazine, which I absolutely loved. Today I had more cameras to test (I’m not complaining) – I enjoyed trying to figure out the one camera that is so retro it reminds of my dad’s camera where you have to manually focus. Before seventeen is printed for you readers, a dummy (mock magazine) is put together so everything can be checked and edited into a flawless piece of art. Pam gave me the previous issues dummy to recycle the printed pages – every bit counts when it comes to erasing our carbon footprint on the environment. I also helped her put together the July Dance issue dummy which looks exciting – everybody loves to dress up and feel like a superstar.

Dummy time!
22 May
I can’t believe it’s already time for me to pack my bags and start my road trip back home, back to my pending varsity exams (Oh no!). My week at seventeen was an eye-opener that allowed me to see the amount of work, time and planning that goes into a magazine, which acts as a source of comfort, inspiration and entertainment for so many girls. So I completed my research for Khwezi and Liza, which they loved (thankfully!). As I said farewell to seventeen I felt privileged for the opportunity. Now tomorrow the road trip back to Jo’burg begins, where my friends are dying to hear of my past week as an “Ugly Betty” – a fun, carefree version!


29 June 2009

it's fun at seventeen!

Margot Davies, 17, is in grade 11 at Camps Bay High School. Her fave TV show is 90210 and she's passionate about writing, scrapbooking, poetry, movies, her friends, family and life!

Tuesday 22 June 09

So the day I’d anticipated for months had finally arrived – the day I began my internship at seventeen! My hair was co-operating, my lunch was packed and I prayed my shoes wouldn’t be the death of me. I was filled with nervous excitement and couldn’t wipe the grin off my face. I arrived in the middle of one almighty downpour but luckily avoided getting soaked. Immediately I was shown to my very own office station complete with a "swivel chair" and an Apple Mac! Not going to lie though, it takes some getting used to compared to my trusty XP. I got to sit in on a features meeting for the September issue – the team were throwing around ideas and discussing details. Once the meeting finished, I was given the July issue to look at. As I began flicking through the pages, I became caught up in “dance fever” and couldn’t help envisioning my dream dress. The July issue is on sale 1 July!! Next, I had a personal lesson with Lisa (the digital editor) on how the cover girl wallpapers are set up. Check out www.seventeen.co.za to see more of what the digi team get up to every day.

Wednesday 23 June 09
Thankfully, the rain had subsided and I arrived warm and dry. My first task this morning was to create labels for the seventeen library. Khwezi, Lisa and Liza went to the Spring/Summer 2009 MAC launch. While they were out, I finished the labels and stuck them up, then I helped Ashleigh (the designer) make photocopies for job bags. In a moment of absentmindedness, I placed the magazines and finished photocopies on top of the machine, not realising that when I lifted the lid to make another photocopy, it would all go crashing down onto the people sitting downstairs! They reassured me that this happens “all the time”. After a quick lunch, I finished filing the seventeen library into order. Lisa (digi ed) then tasked me with writing two gossip stories for www.seventeen.co.za and I helped Pam (sub editor) to rearrange The Board – this is where they stick up mini versions of the magazine’s layout that they’re currently working on. It reminded me of a jigsaw puzzle!

Wow - this library has a lot of mags!

The Board!

Thursday 24 June 09

My first task today was to get a love quote for the one Guys story in the August issue – I called up one of my best friends, Alicia, to help me out and thankfully she could. Once I settled that, I moved onto updating the celebrity list, which is seventeen’s list of all the “it” celebs that us teenagers are interested in. Since the “Oh Boy!” section of www.seventeen.co.za went live today, I checked that out, too. Very cool! After lunch I set out with Liza (managing ed) on a boy hunt for the Guys Talk page in the August issue. We hit Long Street and after gallivanting around for an hour had managed to track down seven guys. Back at the office I set to work compiling the answers. You’ll have to wait for the August issue to find out what we asked them – it’s on sale on 29 July! I must say, I was very surprised with their answers and I’m sure you will be, too.

All the seventeen covers

Friday 25 June 09
Today I carried on with updating the celebrity list. It took me most of the day and in between that I had to fill out the intern questionnaire which helps the seventeen team know a bit more about us. Next thing I knew it was home time – my internship was over. How did that happen?! The days flew by so quickly. I had so much fun that it honestly didn’t feel like work. I met so many amazing people and learned so many great things about life, the world of print media and myself. I bid goodbye to everyone on the seventeen team, packed up my workspace and had one last swirl in my swivel chair. All this made for a truly unforgettable experience that I’ll be telling my grandkids about one day.

Me and Khwezi

09 June 2009

sybil the star

Sybil Canda, 20, graduated from AAA School of Advertising last year. She’s passionate about writing, public speaking and making a difference in the world.

Monday 11 May 09
Do you sometimes get the feeling that you’re clueless about what you’re doing? Well, when I got to seventeen, funnily enough I didn’t. I’ve never worked at a magazine before but I’ve always dreamt of starting one with my sister Jessica. Helping out at seventeen brought me closer to my dream and made me want it even more. The first task I was given was to localise a story for the July Dance issue that they were using from the US Prom issue, so my job was to basically write "dance" instead of "prom"… heh heh, just kidding. I had to source local info relevant to SA teens and change a few things on the page. I love the bright white finish of the office – it makes me feel calm and ready to do my best. And not to mention the Apple Macs, they’re great to work on. At college, copywriters weren’t allowed to use Macs because they were only for art directors and graphic designers – I wish they could see me now typing away on this awesome computer! I have a feeling that this is the beginning of a great future for me ☺

Hard at work!

Tuesday 12 May 09
Today was fun, I think I’m getting used to the whole vibe here. I still have to pinch myself to really make sure I’m in the same room as the awesome team who make South African teens look forward to living a life full of fun and crazy excitement. This is a dream come true! I like the team: Khwezi, the editor, looks about 17 years old, in fact, everyone here looks 17. I’m 20 but sure look like I can do with a drink from the seventeen fountain of youth. What I noticed was that everyone here is unique. They each have their own unique personal style. No one looks like the other. I love this place! The office is so clean, fresh and welcoming.

Wednesday 13 May 09
I arrived an hour early today and thought to myself, Boy is Liza going to be impressed. But my short-lived joy is ruined by the fact that I forgot all my work in my dad’s car. I started to panic, the air-con was on high but I could feel the sweat running down my forgetful back, I don’t usually forget things! But everyone was so warm and friendly so I felt more at ease. A few hours later my dad showed up with my work in one hand and a Steers burger in the other (by the way he’s the super coolest dad ever!) Oh, and today we ate cake. Yummy! Wow still can’t believe I’m working at seventeen… Whoop whoop!

Thursday 14 May 09
Okay, so this is what I wanna do with my life – magazines are where my heart’s at baby (sorry, I do get carried away at times!) Every day I learn something new – it’s like my brain is being tattooed with information that I'll remember forever because I literally get to do such awesome things. Today I made a ring with Liza and Stacey – it was such fun I felt like a teenager again. I don’t know where these guys get their energy from! Check out p54 in the July issue, out 1 July to see our creation.
I wish this would last forever, I feel so at home, everyone is welcoming and it’s such a great environment to work in. I now know things I never knew before and I’ve explored a side in media that I never dreamt would come so soon. Thank heavens for this opportunity and thank God for this great exposure and experience.

Stacey and I going through all the knick knacks I brought to make the ring

Liza putting the finishing touches on my nails (bright pink polish!) so we could get a pretty shot of the ring on my finger

Friday 15 May 09
Today was fun, I was given the task to get some guys to judge pictures of celebs in different dress styles. So I went to the school where my aunt teaches, we chose a few guys, and boy were they funny (check out their answers on p47 in the July issue!) I love meeting new people and having fun with them. If you can't get enough of hot boys and what they think, check out Guys Talk on www.seventeen.co.za Later I had to finish off an article I started writing. By lunchtime I was starving, I left my lunch in the taxi and I’m sure that UCT drama student I was sitting next to in the taxi enjoyed my warm, hearty homemade cheese bread with mushrooms and mutton.

Hanging out with the boys at my aunt's school

That’s it guys. I feel like singing Duffy’s song “Warwick Avenue”, I’m leaving you for the last time… la la la. It sure feels like I’m breaking up with someone I love. Yes, I do love seventeen. Guess I’ll only see super Liza, incredible Khwezi and precious Pam in the magazine (extremely sad face). It was an honor and great pleasure working at seventeen. Keep it up and keep on making South Africa’s greatest magazine what it is, GREAT! Cheers guys, see you in the boardroom!

05 June 2009

i wanna work in magazines!

Jaimee van Niekerk, 16, is in grade 11 at Wynberg Girls High School in Cape Town.

28 April
Perhaps one of the most anticipated opportunities in your grade 11 year is to job shadow, yet everyone always spends an eternity trying to decide which job it is they want to shadow. Me? I knew exactly what I wanted to do – intern at a magazine! And what better magazine to choose than my fave, seventeen. When I arrived here, I didn’t know what to expect. All those stereotypical movie moments were running through my mind. I thought I was going to be sent for orders of coffee, biscuits and imported Italian Green Tea, which I’d have to spend hours frantically searching for. As usual however, my wild imagination had got the better of me. It was amazing to see how quiet and relaxing the seventeen offices actually were (I’d imagined chaos with people running around and shouting about deadlines, maybe with a cup of coffee and a clipboard in their hands!) The whole team resembles a close family and there are often times of laughter and gossip amongst all the stress of meeting the deadlines. I spent some of the morning paging through the latest seventeen, which I hadn’t read yet and as usual, it proved to be worth it. It’s amazing how much work is put into the magazine each month – there is so much attention to detail in terms of the language and layout on each page. Afterwards, I sat in during the production meeting. I didn’t realise how far in advance they work – two months ahead! My first day proved to be highly fun and exciting.

helping sort out the cupboard – it's really high!

29 April
I couldn’t wait to return today. But even so, I found it hard to wake up in the morning! Interning really does give you a good idea of what it’s like to have a job – the constant buzz of phones ringing and the light, tapping sounds of everyone typing were easy to get used to, and soon it all just felt completely natural. The dummy book for the June issue, something I assumed was quite precious, had actually gotten yoghurt spilled onto it (the team is constantly grazing, so one would presume that this happens frequently, LOL.) I was given the task of replacing the sticky plastic sleeves in the dummy book with new ones. By doing this, I got a sneak-peek of the June issue and I was so surprised to see how many times each page was worked and reworked. Things like the language and grammar, double-spacing, heading sizes and even where to place the various text boxes in the articles were always discussed and changed. I’ll definitely be appreciating each and every page even more from now on!

strawberry scented dummy book (lol)

sifting through all the international seventeens

30 April
It’s amazing how time flies! Hard to believe that today is my last day already because it feels like I just got here (sniff sniff). The media industry is definitely the industry I want to be a part of. Everyone in the team is different, yet each of them contribute towards making the magazine a success every month. The amazing thing is that they have the most incredible digital team as well who are constantly making www.seventeen.co.za the coolest site ever. It is great playing a part in producing something that helps so many people my age with all the difficult situations in their lives. Much of my day has been spent surfing the Net, trying to find the head office numbers for various digital camera companies. This was actually easier said than done. You won’t believe how long it takes to search through all the websites Google churns out, and then sifting through all the unwanted details! I then had to phone each company to get the contact details for the marketing people (check out seventeen’s July issue to see which cameras they reviewed!) Another thing I had to do was phone a few of the 2008 Top Teen winners to ask them some questions for the Ed’s Letter in the June issue. It was quite funny putting them on the spot and listening to them think of a good answer. If you want to enter Top Teens 2009, check out seventeen’s July issue for details on how to enter!
I really think the office is just so homey. Everyone is so chatty and cheerful, despite all the hectic pressure they have to deal with. I’m really sad to go, but I’ve learnt a lot and have definitely received more insight as to what happens behind-the-scenes. Interning, especially at seventeen, is highly recommended. You will never regret it and you will never forget the wonderful experiences.