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Women in Leadership
Name: Ella Dove
Role: Author, journalist and speaker
Company: Hearst magazines UK (Good Housekeeping, Prima and Red magazines) / self-employed
A bit about you: I’m an author, journalist and public speaker, who became an amputee in 2016 following a freak accident, tripping over while out running. Since then, I’ve been on a mission to champion diversity in all forms, to raise awareness of disability and to explore this through my writing, both working for national magazines and also within my work as an author.
What is it like working in your company? Hearst are a brilliantly creative and inclusive organisation, where no idea is a bad idea and every voice is listened to. Our company slogan is ‘get more out of life’ and that is what I feel my role allows me to do, as well as enabling our readers in turn to get more out of their own lives, too.
Why did you decide to go into your chosen field? I have always loved writing – even as a child I was constantly writing stories. I knew from a young age that I wanted to channel this passion in some way, and my love of writing combined with my insatiable curiosity about the human experience led me to magazine journalism.
What qualifications and work experience did you need to reach your current position? I have a BA in French and English from Southampton University. I got into my role through work experience rather than any formal journalism qualification, doing placements everywhere from local papers to trade publications to national press.
What do you enjoy the most about your job? The variety. One day, I could be working on a harrowing memoir piece about a woman who has gone through an immensely traumatic experience and is sharing her story with me, the next I could be writing a stunt piece where I attempt to live my live according to the cycles of the moon (yes, it has happened) or interviewing a celebrity. I love the broad scope of my role and being able to talk to so many different people. It keeps it endlessly interesting.
What obstacles have you overcome in your career? My amputation was without doubt the biggest thing to overcome. Going back to work aged 25 and carving a career from loss took a lot of rebuilding and resilience, and I’m very proud of where I am today.
Why do you think it is important to have a strong female representation in your industry? I’m very lucky to work in a heavily female dominated industry, so this question is tricky for me to answer – but of course, representation in all forms is so crucial to inclusivity. If you can’t see it, you can’t be it!
What advice would you give those wanting to take a similar career path? Network HARD. Don’t be afraid to phone people up, to fire off emails, to send your CV around every magazine or publication you can think of. Also, digital skills are more important than ever in the media industry, so you need to be as hot on SEO as you are on spelling! Think about what will make you stand out in the industry – could you start a newsletter or a podcast on a topic unique to you? What can you do in your spare time to add to your portfolio? That plus work experience are definitely my most valuable pieces of advice.
