27% want to be magazine editors

Leather top, Koovs; skirt, Pankaj & Nidhi; shoes, Steve Madden; bracelets, Nandini’s own

Nandini Bhalla, Editor, Cosmopolitan India

Nandini started at the Cosmo office at the age of 21, moved to Grazia to launch it, then returned to

Cosmo 3 years later, to head the magazine.

When did you know you wanted to work for a magazine?

“I launched my own magazine at 9! It was basically a few sheets of pink paper that had been photocopied and stapled together, but I loved creating it. Later, I was made Editor of my school magazine, and in college, I freelanced for the Indian Express. I always enjoyed writing, so the career choice was natural.”

What is your advice to someone who wishes to work for a magazine?

“I see a lot of people stuck on the college and degree, but work experience is most important. Get a job, get an internship, then work like you’ve never worked before.”

What does it take to be a successful editor?

“Hard work—perfect your writing skills, hone your editing skills, work hard on your interviewing skills. Being able to network well is also critical, as is being digitally savvy.”