Newspaper or Magazine Editor
Job Description:Newspaper and magazine editors oversee the look and content of online and printed publications.
Job Category:What you will do:
Depending on the publication you work for as an editor, your day-to-day tasks may include:
- commissioning articles
- choosing which articles to publish
- deciding how they’ll be laid out for publishing
- assessing work sent from freelance journalists, photographers and illustrators
You’ll work with sub-editors, designers, production staff and printers to make sure publication deadlines are met.
On smaller titles you might help to write and sub-edit. On larger titles you’ll just have editor duties.
You may also look after other areas like budget control, hiring staff and working with advertising and production departments.
Skills:
You’ll need:
- knowledge of English language
- knowledge of media production and communication
- the ability to read English
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently
As well as:
- excellent verbal communication skills
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- excellent written communication skills
- the ability to work well with others (teamwork skills)
- to be flexible and open to change (adaptable)
- leadership skills
Entry Requirements:
You’ll need a background in journalism and usually have relevant qualifications and work experience.
You’ll also need a good understanding of the newspaper and magazine industries.
You could build up your publishing experience by starting as a reporter or journalist.
If you want to work for a specialist publication like a medical or scientific journal, you’ll likely need a:
- degree or postgraduate qualification in a relevant subject
- high level of specialist knowledge
Working Hours and Environment:
If you work for a daily or weekly publication you’ll usually work irregular hours, including evenings and weekends.
If you work for a monthly publication or a specialist trade journal, you’ll usually work normal office hours, but with some overtime leading up to publication deadlines.
Your work will be mainly office-based. You may need to travel to meet clients and reporters.
Career Path & Progression:
With experience as a local newspaper editor you could move on to regional and then national publications.
You could become editor-in-chief of a group of newspapers, or magazine publishers.