My ethical career: Editor
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Age 31 Education Masters in anthropology of development from Edinburgh University. So, what do you actually do? I’m deputy editor of New Consumer, the UK’s only magazine about fair trade. I commission articles and plan the content of the magazine, from in-depth features to fair trade fashion, and review as many fair trade products as possible. My goal is to develop a mainstream and highly informative lifestyle magazine that shows people just how easy it can be to shop ethically. What makes your job so ethical? The whole ethos of our magazine is to encourage people to change their consumer behaviour. If we want to live in a more sustainable world, the most important issue is to tackle the global disparity in wealth. If producers are getting a fair price for their products, they can lift themselves out of poverty and afford to develop sustainably. As consumers, we must wake up to the fact that we have to purchase products from sustainable and socially responsible systems. How did you get into the job? I have a very broad background and have worked for large publishing companies, as well as been a journalist for charities specialising in international development. I also spent six months working with NGOs in Indonesia, with marginalised communities where local coffee producing communities can get a pretty raw deal. What does your typical day involve? Essentially keeping on top of the rapidly expanding fair trade market, as well as keeping an eye on new feature ideas, new companies, and the campaigning work of charities to Make Trade Fair! What kind of personality is best suited to working in a job like yours? It helps if you don't lose sight of the vision, when sitting in front of a computer in the office, that what we are doing has a greater global outreach. What skills and experience do you need to work in this sector? Commitment, determination and experience in publishing or international development, ideally both. You also need a vision for a positive end product. And the worst things? Print deadlines. Any top tips for someone wanting to get into this work? Every experience gained is always relevant, even though it might not feel so at the time. New Consumer www.newconsumer.org
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