ANSWERS: 1
  • If you are always correcting people's grammar and love words, working as a copy editor may be a rewarding career option. Although copy editors tend to work late hours and may have to work holidays and other odd times, they also get to be one of the final eyes of printed copy and learn about a variety of topics.

    Go to School

    No company will hire copy editors without at least a high school diploma, and most won't hire them without a college degree. The first step in becoming a good candidate for a copy editor job is to obtain a degree in English, journalism or a related field from an accredited college or university. This also will help you determine if you want to pursue a career in copy editing. Those who are drawn to specific subject areas like health or politics also may benefit from specializing in the that field by obtaining a minor or certificate program. To become an even better candidate, some future copy editors might obtain a Masters degree or other higher education seal in English, journalism or a related field of study.

    Get Experience

    Sometimes your college degree won't matter to employers if you don't have experience. If you didn't get experience in high school with a newspaper or yearbook, many colleges and universities have a daily or non-daily newspaper at which many copy editors gain experience. They also may work at a college-run magazine, yearbook or other publication instead of or in addition to a college newspaper. Many college publications may not pay well or at all, but they will provide you with clips and references. College also is a time in which students can intern at an area publication or company or even use their copy editing services in a freelance capacity. Write articles or columns, become an editor, practice proofreading or start a blog to gain even more experience in journalism.

    Read Up and Practice

    Even if you have the education, you're not automatically qualified to become a copy editor. Journalism and English classes will provide you with lessons and studies that will help in a career of copy editing, but to really understand the profession, you might have to go the extra mile. Purchase style books, such as the Associated Press Stylebook, Chicago Manual of Style and Modern Language Association Style Manual, and study or use them during practices. Recruit your teachers or friends to provide extra practice. You can list these skills on your resume, prove them during an interview or test. Of course, the knowledge will be beneficial in your employment.

    Diversify

    Although many copy editors work for newspapers and other print publications and publishing companies, copy editing jobs are found in many areas of business. Gain experience or look for jobs at medical practices, financial institutions, marketing companies, nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, public relations firms and web-based publications. Even within companies, you can work as a copy editor for the sports or features departments of a newspaper, for fiction stories or biographical novels at a publishing company and for travel or food sections of an Internet-based publication.

    Search

    Start your search for copy editing jobs on the popular journalismjobs.com and other journalism job sites. Employment search engines and classifieds in newspapers may provide opportunities or leads on jobs. Many colleges and universities also may offer job search resources or placement services.

    Source:

    The American Copy Editors Society

    JournalismJobs.com

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