Name: Susan Schulz
Age: 41
Job Title/description: Editorial Brand Director of Cosmpolitan—I oversee the brand extensions for Cosmopolitan magazine (such as Cosmo Books; Cosmopolitan’s line of lingerie, shoes and handbags at JCPenney; Cosmo’s YouTube show, “Sexy vs. Skanky”; special editorial supplements and more).
College/Major: Loyola University Maryland/English
Twitter Handle: @susaneschulz (I don’t tweet very often—I’m more of a follower on Twitter.)
What was your first entry-level job in your field and how did you get it?
Susan Schulz: I was an editorial assistant at Redbook. I got the job because I had been a temp at Entertainment Weekly and a woman I met there became the Entertainment Editor at Redbook. Her assistant left, so she contacted me to see if I would be interested in interviewing for the job.
What’s a typical day like for you? What does your job entail?
SS: There really isn’t a typical day, which is why I really like my job a lot. If I’m working on a Cosmo book, there may be proofs to read. If it’s a Tuesday, that means I’m reviewing a final cut for that night’s episode of “Sexy vs. Skanky” (a new episode of SvS airs every Tuesday night at 8 PM). Some weeks there will be several meetings with our design partners from JCPenney, where I (along with our fashion editors) discuss the changes we’d like on shoe, lingerie or handbag samples or share inspiration for colors and styles that we’d like to see in the next season’s line. When I’m working on a supplement for the magazine, I’m having brainstorming meetings, coming up with a lineup and thinking about which writers and editors would be best to contribute to it. I’m also always thinking about ways to promote all of my projects, so that our readers know they exist and can buy them if they want to.
What is one thing you wish you knew about your industry when you first started out that you know now?
SS: That it was going to become a business not just of publications, but of brands. I wish I had more of a traditional business education—I’ve had to learn a lot about business on the fly and I still feel like I’m speaking business as a second language. I tell students to be sure to take business and marketing courses even if they plan to be on the creative side of journalism We are all running for-profit businesses, and the more editorial people who can think of ideas that have revenue-generating extensions, the better.
Who is one person who changed your professional life for the better?
SS: There really isn’t any one person—I’ve had several great bosses from the beginning who I still consider to be mentors today.
Is there a quote you live by?
SS: “Once begun is half done.” Sometimes I procrastinate when I have to begin a new project, but I find that if I can get going, I get into a flow. So I try to stop thinking and stressing, and just start.
What is the best part of your job?
SS: Getting to work with such energetic, creative people—there are always new and exciting ideas flying around, so it’s never boring.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years? Do you have a dream job?
SS: I was lucky enough to have my dream job when I was editor-in-chief of CosmoGirl for five years. My current job is also a dream job because I get to work on a variety of things for the biggest and best women’s brand in the world. It’s hard to envision 10 years from now, but my dream job will always [include] working with creative, motivated and smart people to create things that both entertain and inspire others.
What advice would you give to a 20-something with similar aspirations?
SS: I’d reiterate the advice about taking business courses—having that solid background and understanding of how to make money is what will sustain you—along with your creativity, of course—through a career in this ever-changing industry of ours.