Coffee with Emma Cook
Emma Cook
Assistant Editor of The Observer MagazineAge: 50-something
Coffee Location: Pekoe Mellow, 22 Aldensley Road,London W6 0DH
Describe your career path in two or three sentences including any twist or turns ending with where you are now and where you see your future.
I did a post-graduate course in journalism and after that I started as a freelance journalist, mainly for the Independent, and then joined them full-time as a news features writer. From there I moved to ES Magazine as features editor then deputy editor. I joined the Guardian 12 years ago where I’m now assitant editor and travel editor on the Observer Magazine.
What decision / experience proved to be the most helpful to your career?
Definitely the decision to go for it in journalism after four or five years in marketing – first for a tiny advertising company and then for London Underground. Marketing was a great experience in that I realised what I didn’t want to do and why – given my nature, marketing and me were never really going to get on. I’ve always felt more comfortable asking questions and being sceptical than trying to sell something.
So I guess the lesson I learnt was: know thyself. When I switched to a 13 week journalism course at London College of Printing, it felt quite high risk at the time because I was quitting a comfortable, secure job for no guaranteed work – I think my parents were quite nervous! But I found it motivating because I knew I had to make it work.
What do you think are the most important qualities for sustaining a fulfilling career(s) as you grow older?
Always ask yourself what still motivates and excites you. And what motivates other people too; be inquisitive about other people’s careers and motivations and whether there’s anything you can learn from them. Join new groups and networks outside work which can be a good source of ideas.
How do you check in / keep work interesting?
Variety keeps things interesting. I love editing - coming up with ideas; commissioning writers and authors, and editing their work. But I still like writing - travel features for the Guardian mainly and working on my novel in my spare time. After years of being told you have to write accurately about something that’s really happened, you suddenly have to forget all that and make it up instead! When you’re staring down a blank page, that switch can be scary but quite liberating.
What advice would you give your 20 year old self knowing what you do now?
I tell myself to follow your natural interests, which is usually where your ability lies anyway. Don’t take the safe option if you don’t enjoy the work it involves – you’ll only end up feeling miserable. I'd also reassure myself not to fall for the idea that certain jobs are out of reach because they’re competitive.
I always knew I wanted to write but assumed journalism would be full of people who were much more qualified/talented etc than I was – and initially opted for something more ‘sensible’ instead. I’d also say to my younger self, go for something that's interesting enough to cross over from work into life, ideally one should inform the other, and that’s what will give you confidence and direction.
Are you telling your kids that?
Yes, I do tell them that – cultivate interests and take them seriously.
What are the biggest challenges for people wanting to make a career re-entry or re-invention later life?
Self-confidence can be a challenge, depending on how much experience you have in the area you wish to pursue. Working for free, shadowing someone, any work experience is really invaluable – but that’s if you can afford it. Extra training, evening courses, all these can help too. Again it comes down to really knowing yourself, what can sustain you into your sixties and beyond.
What are the opportunities for people wanting to work into their 50s, 60s and beyond?
I think there are many opportunities – people are living longer and working more flexibly than ever before. You can retrain in your 50s and still have 30 years of a satisfying career left. There is a lot of time ahead of you and that feels hopeful and exciting.
What is your top tip for staying relevant in today’s job market?
Staying curious and open-minded; keeping in touch with what’s happening around you - news and current events, politics, reading books, films, new technology – thinking about how all these areas touch on your particular area in the job market.
Do you think you need to fight against it?
Maybe it’s good to think more laterally when you get to your 50s, how you can carve out your own niche and enjoy a bit more autonomy – whether it's setting up your own business, coming up with a creative idea or thinking of ways to capitalise on all your experience, which is such a valuable asset; psychotherapy, consulting, mentoring etc.
Recommendation: Favourite book to read, podcast to listen or website to browse while drinking coffee?
I just read a really inspirational essay by the American author Anne Patchett called The Getaway Car from her essay collection, This is the Story of a Happy Marriage. Her advice is invaluable, not just for would-be fiction writers but any “work” you want to pursue in life that can feel challenging or out of reach. She says: “Forgiveness, therefore, is key. I can’t write the book I want to write, but I can and will write the book I am capable of writing. Again and again throughout the course of my life I will forgive myself.”