<p><span class="p-body">&quot;New York City is always my top priority because it is the hub of the world's most renowned publishers,&quot; says Ruby Chan, a student in the <a href="/content/sps-nyu/explore/degrees-and-programs/ms-in-publishing-digital-and-print-media.html" target="_blank">MS in Publishing</a> program at NYU SPS. Born and raised in Hong Kong, Ruby is a self-proclaimed bookworm always looking for new bookstores to discover. We recently caught up with her to learn more about her background, how she is finding the program so far, and her plans for the future.</span></p>

<p><span class="p-body">Before taking the next step in her career by applying to graduate school, Ruby worked as an editor at a start-up publisher and a bookseller at an independent bookstore in Hong Kong. These roles solidified her decision to pursue an MS in Publishing, and she knew there was no better place to do so than NYC. She shares, &quot;During my previous visits to New York City, I was impressed by the prosperity of local independent bookstores.&quot;</span></p> <p><span class="p-body">Coming from Hong Kong, where the &quot;publishing industry was in the doldrums as the free and democratic society dismantled,&quot; Ruby's move to the US meant that she could pursue a career in publishing without the risk of self-censorship or political oppression.</span></p>

<p><span class="p-body">Another draw to NYU for Ruby was the amount of internships, practicums, and volunteer opportunities at her disposal. Particularly, she had her eye on the international book fairs in Frankfurt and London, which invite NYU publishing students each year.</span></p>

<p><span class="p-body">So far, Ruby's experience at NYU has been the career catalyst she hoped for. She appreciates the support she has received from the Dean and her professors along the way, stating, &quot;They never hesitated to give advice and connect us with other industry professionals.&quot; Visiting industry leaders and going to networking events have been highlights, and she looks back fondly on her visit to Macmillan and New York Magazine.</span></p> <p><span class="p-body">The doors opened to Ruby at NYU led to her finding a summer internship at a publisher and volunteering at the 75th Frankfurt Book Fair with three of her peers. There, she was part of the Publishing Perspectives team and was assigned to sit in and report on the book launch events. &quot;I gained insights into the trends, obstacles, and innovations shaping the world of books, including how AI technology facilitates book translations and audiobook production,&quot; she adds.</span></p>

<p><span class="p-body">The hands-on approach of the program has been essential to Ruby's success as a student at NYU SPS. Many of her classes required her to do presentations in mock sales conferences in different roles or in different scenarios, which significantly improved her ability to apply theoretical practices from a classroom setting to a real workplace. For example, in her marketing class, she proposed a rebranding campaign for a food podcast, with some strategies like designing brand merch to make a profit and support the costs of producing free podcasts.</span></p> <p><span class="p-body">The highlight of Ruby's real-world educational experience is her <a href="/content/sps-nyu/explore/degrees-and-programs/ms-in-publishing-digital-and-print-media.html" target="_blank">capstone project</a>. In her project, she created an imprint from scratch and hypothetically launched it with a comprehensive proposal. The plan included market research and potentials, positioning, operation details, marketing campaigns, financial statements, and more. After completing her capstone project, Ruby shares, &quot;I am confident that I can apply what I have learned in the real-life workplace and enhance the efficiency of book projects.&quot;</span></p>

<p><span class="p-body">The MS in Publishing program has prepared Ruby to embrace the challenges she has faced in her internships, a skill she is sure will be essential for her success after graduation. &quot;​​It is never easy to get your foot in the door of the publishing industry,&quot; she says. However, she has remained focused by being proactive in networking events and lectures, which is the key to building connections with industry experts and discovering more opportunities.</span></p> <p><span class="p-body">Ruby recently took a position as a digital marketing intern at Libro.fm, where she applies her classroom knowledge to help create content, engage with influencers across Instagram and TikTok, and craft graphics and reels using Photoshop and Canva. This internship has been a dream come true for Ruby, who is an active content creator on Instagram and TikTok (@nyc.bgoo), where she shares her latest discoveries of bakeries, cafes and restaurants in the city.&nbsp;</span></p> <p><span class="p-body">Another stand-out internship experience for Ruby was taking an internship in Adult Marketing at Abrams. There, she worked cross-functionally across marketing and publicity departments, collaborated with in-house designers to create marketing graphics, assisted publicists for media lunch and DEI events, and assisted giveaways. &quot;I adapted to my role faster than the others as I was already familiar with how the book industry runs after countless practices in school,&quot; she shares.</span></p>

<p><span class="p-body">Through her experience in the program, Ruby developed a strong interest in digital and social media marketing. &quot;Many people who are interested in publishing might put their emphasis on editorial, while forgetting the fact that marketing is a strong and effective tool to gain exposure for the book,&quot; she adds. Now, she's determined to hone her marketing skills to build buzz for all the books that &quot;deserve more eyeballs.&quot;&nbsp;</span></p> <p><span class="p-body">As students prepare to step into the epicenter of publishing by applying to this program, Ruby has some sound advice. &quot;Be proactive. Don't be afraid to reach out to the department and professors for study advice or job opportunities. They are very supportive and knowledgeable because of their years of experience.&quot; She also champions using the library resources and attending training sessions about how to utilize them. As a student who has taken on several internships, Ruby also speaks to the value of gaining work experience to accompany one's studies. &quot;You never know who you would meet and what new opportunities you would come up with,&quot; she concludes.</span></p> <p><span class="p-body">The epicenter of publishing is waiting for you. How will you make an impact as an <a href="/content/sps-nyu/explore/degrees-and-programs/ms-in-publishing-digital-and-print-media.html" target="_blank">MS in Publishing</a> student at NYU SPS?</span></p>