How would I go about getting a career as an Editor?

Question

I am looking for a little information about what I will need to do, learn, and anything else that will lead me to my dream career.

Mostly what I am looking for is what degree I would need. After getting the required education, how would I go about getting work experience?

What would be some good skills to know/develop?

What about finding an actual job?

Should I try to be hired onto an already existing company, or try freelancing it through a source?

If I am freelancing it, what are good places to advertise?

How much should I be charging/getting paid?

How much should I be trying to earn a job? Monthly? Yearly?

Anything else would be great to know, also.

Answer 1

I'm a technical writer at a telecommunications company. Lots of the people I work with (writers, editors, etc.) have some kind of English or journalism degree (I have a degree in technical writing). Some also have minors in some kind of technology, like electronics or computer engineering.

There are lots of networking groups for writers. The one our people belong to is the STC (Society of Technical Communicators). When you're going through college, see if you can intern at some publishing company or technology company that employs their own publications department. Or, if you're more into being a copy editor, see if you can hire on at a newspaper.

Another avenue is to join the newspaper at your college. I took a composition class at Long Beach City College way back when and the instructor was the faculty editor of the school newspaper at Long Beach State. He liked my writing so much that he suggested I put in for a journalism scholarship at state, and that he would sponsor me. But, I was young and stupid, and went into the Navy instead.

When you're about to graduate and you've decided on the particular disipline you want to be in, find out about networking groups in your area (or where you want to live). That's how most people in this profession make their contacts and get good jobs. I've been at this job for about 12 years and cleared over $100K last year. And, we have plenty of work to do for years to come.

Answer 2

http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos089.htm

this link is to the writing and editing careers page of the bls (bureau of labor statistics) site. it will answer all of your questions.

generally, iti s a competitive field and a degree in journalism, communications or english is needed.