TV Watercooler

http://gorkanapr.com/jobs/journalist#advert_5597

Daily Express Fashion Department, Work Experience - IMMEDIATE START
date posted: Thursday, 7th January 2010
The Daily Express fashion desk is looking for interns for the duration of three weeks in January (11th -30th) to assist their busy department. Applicants should be hard working, self-motivated and enthusiastic. The positions are mainly based within the fashion cupboard where they will be responsible for calling in and returning samples for shoots but there will be opportunities to assist on fashion and still life shoots, as well as helping with picture and trend research, credits and general administrative duties.

Previous experience is preferred but not essential. Please note this is an unpaid position. Applicants who are available during the above dates should send a CV and cover letter to Antonia Kraskowski – Antonia.kraskowski@express.co.uk

application details

job type: First Job/Interns
job role: Editorial
job location: Europe - United Kingdom
email CVs to: antonia.kraskowski@express.co.uk

---------------------------------

Maybe they should link up with the people from here viewtopic.php?f=2&t=147

It is the Express, after all.

applicants must have extensive knowledge of Princess Diana.

Good find, DM!

"Previous experience preferable"?????? Let's get this straight: they want someone to work unpaid but they insist they have previous experience????

I asked Antonia Kraskowski about this:

Dear Antonia,

I apologise for bothering you but I am writing about your advert as I wondered whether this position should be paid if you expect this person to do work for you?

Is that not right? I would be grateful you could let me know.

Many thanks

No reply.

Hi Antonia,

Would it be possible to have an answer to this?

Many thanks

Thank you for your email regarding the position advertised on Gorkana, please accept my apologies for the delay in replying to you. The position is an entry level gateway in order for those wishing to see whether this is indeed an industry suited to them. It allows people who have no previous contacts or knowledge of the industry to build on both and observe professionals within their environment whilst also learning new skills. For many it is a very difficult and highly competitive profession to get a foot in the door and as such, these placements are a great help to them. Often, fashion students are also required to take these placements as part of their degree to gain experience and a deeper understanding of their chosen career paths, as well as building their portfolios and CVs. I myself undertook 18 months of such placements, without which I would not have been able to do the job I currently do. I hope this has answered your question.

Best wishes,

Antonia
--
Antonia Kraskowski
Fashion Assistant
Express Newspapers
Direct Line: 0207 098 2745
Email: antonia.kraskowski@express.co.uk
Address: 10 Lower Thames St, London, EC3R 6EN
Twitter: http://twitter.com/Express_Fashion

Hi Antonia, many thanks for your reply, however the reason I asked the question is because this position does not appear to be restricted to students undertaking a required placement as part of a full time course and it does involve this person in specific responsibilities and duties. Given this, should they not be paid at least the legal minimum?

No reply.

Isn't this the case Antonia?

No reply.

Antonia, this does look very like it should be paid at least the legal minimum, would it be possible for you to check this with the authorities?

No reply. So I asked the editor of the Express, Peter Hill:

Dear Mr Hill,

Would you be able to address this?

Many thanks

No reply. It appears then that Antonia Kraskowski and the Daily Express want some unpaid workers and quite frankly they have way more important things to worry about that the fact that the law says they must pay them.

Antonia Kraskowski, Antonia.kraskowski@express.co.uk, The Daily Expresss: Beware!

I have changed the title of the thread to include Antonia Kraskowski's name so that Google searches of her will point here.

(Other searches show that Antonia Kraskowski's time spent at the University of Sussex concluded with her getting a 2.1 in English Language and Film, helped by her dissertation:
Can I say f***?: A study of the acceptability of swearing in Broadcast Television).

F*** me.

F*** me. Indeed AP.

“entry level gateway”, that part of some Act we haven’t heard of?
Still, “photoshoots, parties and globe-trotting” far more important.

That I gather there wasn’t any real down to earth hard graft needed to
be getting on with during the three weeks then, only devoted public-spirited
and kind-hearted help was to be had, then that’s all cushty, warm glowing, all that.