Sean Sennett
Time Off Media, Time Off Magazine

Written by David Mackay on 2011-10-26

Sean Sennett has played a large part in the shaping of Brisbane print and online media. Buy Time Off Magazine in 1990, Sennett has since expanded the once small university magazine to a multi-platform, multi-faceted arts and media guide. The magazine involves interviews of local and international acts, as well as reviews of live gigs, albums, movies, festivals and all things arts.

Do you offer internships / work-experience?

Yes.

2: What do you find is the most common mistake a graduate can make?

Not recognising that entertainment writing is a very specific thing – trying to apply some new sense of sensibility to entertainment writing.

What are some misconceptions about hiring graduates? How important are GPA’s?

GPA is so-so. You need something more when you’re getting into entertainment writing and the arts. I think it’s important being a graduate because you’ve had that writing experience.

If someone could have given you one piece of advice at the beginning of your career, what should it have been?

I think I got it… Only use 3 exclamation marks a year.

What are the significant steps you took in creating the career you have today?

Firstly, signing on with any kind of writing work. When I started out I was prepared to work for any kind of money just to get some experience under my belt. So I think gaining experience is important. The other one is being prepared to do a lot of research. I also spent a lot of time on drafts.

If you could start over, what would you do differently in your entry into the industry? What do you know now that you wish you knew then?

I wouldn’t change anything. I applied for a couple of mainstream jobs that didn’t pan out. So I kind of went the road less travelled. The experiences you have when you’re young count for a lot. I guess you’ve just got to get out there and try stuff.

How important is undertaking post-graduate study in furthering your career?

I don’t think it’s very important. What you’ve got to do is get some kind of qualification to get your foot in the door. I think becoming an academic is one career and a working job is just another.