A combination of creativity, writing skills and detail orientation help editors sharpen the quality of writing for all different types of media. Editors plan and revise content for publication in books, newspapers, magazines, or websites. They review story ideas and decide what material will appeal most to readers, and comment on how to improve it. In smaller organizations, a single editor may perform all of the editorial duties or share them with only a few other people. There are several types of editors: Copy editors proofread text for errors and check for readability, style, and ensure it meets the publication’s policies. They may confirm sources or verify facts, and arrange page layouts. Publication assistants at book-publishing houses evaluate manuscripts and proofread drafts. Those employed by small newspapers often answer phones, and proofread articles. Assistant editors are responsible for a particular subject such as local news or sports. Executive editors typically have the final say about what is published, and oversee hiring. Managing editors work for magazines, newspapers and television broadcasters, and oversee daily operations for the news department. Most editors work full-time schedules in offices, though working from home is increasingly common. Coordinating multiple projects under high-pressure deadlines can be challenging, and may require work weeks longer than 40 hours. Employers generally prefer a bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, or English, along with media experience. For some positions, strong writing skills from reporting or writing, may be enough.
What they do:
Plan, coordinate, revise, or edit written material. May review proposals and drafts for possible publication.
On the job, you would:
Read copy or proof to detect and correct errors in spelling, punctuation, and syntax.
Verify facts, dates, and statistics, using standard reference sources.
Read, evaluate and edit manuscripts or other materials submitted for publication, and confer with authors regarding changes in content, style or organization, or publication.
Arts and Humanities
English language
Communications
multimedia
Business
management
administrative services
Education and Training
teaching and course design
Basic Skills
reading work related information
writing things for co-workers or customers
Problem Solving
noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it
Verbal
read and understand what is written
communicate by writing
Ideas and Logic
come up with lots of ideas
group things in different ways
People interested in this work like activities that include creating, designing, and making your own rules.
They do well at jobs that need:
Attention to Detail
Integrity
Adaptability/Flexibility
Cooperation
Dependability
Stress Tolerance
You might use software like this on the job:
Word processing software
Google Docs
Microsoft Word
Web page creation and editing software
LinkedIn
WordPress
Desktop publishing software
Adobe Systems Adobe InDesign
Microsoft Publisher
bachelor's degree or master's degree usually needed
Get started on your career:
New job opportunities are less likely in the future.