How to Become a Professional Copy Editor
So you want to be a copy editor? Copyediting takes great attention to detail, a keen eye and determination. As the internet age takes over from print publications, it may seem jobs are disappearing. However, this change in how people get their news, and how they communicate, has brought many publications online, which allows a copy editor from the Southwest to work with an online magazine in New York, expanding our world and expanding your chance of success.
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Instructions
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How to Become a Professional Copy Editor
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Get an education, be it a four-year degree, an associate's from a local community college or a course on copyediting online.
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Join the school paper. This emulation of real-world experience gives you an idea of the industry and looks great on a resume.
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Apply for internships. Many publications won't hire without experience. An internship gets you into the industry while providing the publication you work for with cheap labor. Often, college credit is offered for such internships.
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Devote yourself to the Associated Press Stylebook.
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When you're ready to start applying for jobs, take into consideration the type of editing you want to do. If you'd like to work for a newspaper, try papers in smaller towns first to gain experience. If you'd like to get into magazines, medium-sized metros often have several publications to which you can apply. Jobs also abound on the internet. Join a job-seekers mailing list.
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Tips & Warnings
Networking increases your chances of hearing about a job. Challenge your copyediting abilities by taking a class. Staying ahead of the competition keeps you in the front line for available jobs.
