'Don't become an armchair journalist' – Q&A with Ryan Bassil

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Every week we ask reporters and editors about their work, their career and what it takes to be a journalist in the 21st century.

Our guest this week is Ryan Bassil , assistant editor at Noisey, Vice. He gives us insight into his role and his advice for aspiring music journalists.

What is your job title and what does that mean?

I'm an assistant editor, which is exactly what it says on the tin. Predominantly though, I spend my time writing, commissioning and editing features.

How did you get started in journalism?

I started a website at university, then progressed from there, using the site as a launch-pad to pitch to other publications.

By the start of my final year I had secured a full-time job with VICE and ended up not going to university for the rest of the year.

What does a normal day look like for you? In emoji.

What three tools or apps do you use the most for work?

Does email count? My inbox is a myth right now. Other than that, Twitter is perhaps the most important tool: it brings me breaking news and features, abuse and adoration from readers, and interaction with other writers.

Reddit is good too - and riding on its coat-tails comes YouTube and Soundcloud, which are both important because a lot of my time is spent listening to music.

What would you focus on if you were training as a journalist now?

Being able to write. There's a massive lack of good writing in the industry right now.

Have an opinion! Don't succumb to the platitudes that have been presented by your journalistic forefathers. These people are old! They suck! Do your own thing.

Unless you're doing a one year top-up course, don't go to university to study journalism. It's not worth the debt or the three years. Focus on what you want to achieve, how you're going to get there, and keep going until you do.

If you do end up going to university, put more focus on what you're doing outside of your course. Your degree means nothing next to your portfolio.

Lastly, go outside and see the world. Don't become an armchair journalist. You need life experiences to reference.

What skills do you think are important to your role?

• The internet is so fast-paced that, alongside being able to write, often you need to be able to do it well under pressure.
• As we're a music site, a well-trained ear for music is as important.
• An ability to work on limited sleep.

What has your current job taught you about the industry?

Even if you write a damning review of a terrible festival, they will continue to invite you back year after year. The PR will always "hope you're well".

What do you most look forward to at the start of your day?

Lunch!

What would you say to someone applying to work at your organisation?

Why haven't you emailed me already?

What is the best piece of advice you have ever been given?

What are you trying to say? Think about it, then write it.

Join us next week for a new look into the media industry – in the meantime, check out our other weekly interviews with digital media experts.