By Evie Askew
The first thing that struck me about life at university in general, and this applies to institutions beyond the cobbled streets of Oxford, is the odd nature of the liminal space that the day-to-day occupies. Acting as a kind of mid-point between school and the ‘real world’ which is talked about in hushed tones by students approaching their final year, my time at university has felt like moving around in a microcosm of society. From college bars which charge your BodCard (a quasi-credit card loaded with what feels like monopoly money but unfortunately isn’t) to the Oxford Union, a debating society which acts as a kind of rudimentary blueprint for the Government, complete with ethically questionable members, the University feels like the true ‘adult world’ in miniature. The magazines and newspapers here are no different. Constituting a group of publications which go into print at different times, complete with offices and ‘lay-ins’, people here take their journalism seriously, and it can often be a time-consuming activity. However, the rewards make the whole experience a worthy pursuit.
In terms of a brief background, there are three main papers I engage with at Oxford. These are The Oxford Student, the Cherwell and The Oxford Blue. They all have slightly different styles and conventions, but I often find that talented journalists and captivating articles are spread between them, so dipping in and out rather than following one religiously is the best way to get your Oxford-related updates. Cherwell delivers in print and has a massive team which has expanded to include more online content, but sometimes the paper can feel a little impersonal and repetitive, so do have a look at some smaller publications to hear some different voices and enjoy more experimental formats.
The world of magazines is a realm I am far more familiar with. Although they tend to go into print less frequently, the online resources such as their websites are updated regularly, as are the social media channels. The main magazines include Isis Magazine, The Turl, The Oxford Review of Books and The Oxford Scientist. All working within their own distinct styles and features, once you arrive you will be able to gauge a sense of which aligns most with your passions and writing style, so approach each with an open mind and attend the launch events in Michaelmas to get a flavour of what each produces. There are always copies of at least one of the above floating around in most JCRs, so pick up an edition (even if it’s an old one) and have a browse; you may be surprised by what you enjoy.
Having worked with Isis this Trinity, I can neutrally declare that we are the best. In my role as Director of Social Media, I’ve gained experience in task delegation, working with new editing software and I’ve become familiar with the process of magazine editing more generally. On the day-to-day, I often find myself on Slack, our messaging platform, discussing strategy with other members of the team. I also attend events to take photos and videos to post on our social media. These tend to range from poetry readings to summer garden parties, so working for a magazine can also be a great opportunity to fill up your social calendar.
So why get involved? Besides the fact that a name like the Isis Magazine and the Cherwell aren’t unwelcome on a CV, the people you meet across years and colleges contribute to a fuller experience at Oxford. Also, you will gain a sense of whether journalism is a career you’d like to pursue after your time here. Oxford is definitely the city to explore your options
within the field, with journalists such as Fiona Bruce, Ian Hislop, Christopher Hitchens and, unfortunately from my college, Balliol, Boris Johnson, all getting their start here.
If the thought of being involved in the publication industry of Oxford has piqued your interest, the best way to become established on the scene is to first join all the FaceBook communities of the magazines and papers which interest you. No, this does not constitute a formal commitment to any paper and yes, we do still rely on FaceBook to share information (a fact I still find amusing considering that Oxford considers itself at the cutting edge of technology). Also, follow as many of the publications as you can on social media. They may clog up your feeds, but this is the best way of keeping up-to-date.
So in conclusion, do get involved. Or don’t. Oxford has so many societies and opportunities waiting for you. But I must admit, the world of journalism at Oxford is worth at least a brief exploration, even if it is just coming to one of the glorious events organised by us at the Isis HQ...
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