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Editors

In the Editors occupation, workers plan, coordinate, revise, or edit written material. You may also need to verify facts, dates, and statistics, using standard reference sources. On the six-type interest model it reads ACE, meaning creative work with room for original expression comes first, followed by orderly work with data, records and clear procedures. Plan on a bachelor’s degree plus a period of work experience; O*NET labels this considerable preparation. Strength in reading comprehension, writing, and speaking helps most here. A regular part of the work is to write text, such as headlines, stories, articles, editorials, or newsletters. If you want creative work with room for original expression, keep it on your list. If you need hands-on work with tools, machines or the physical world, it may feel thin.

What they do

Plan, coordinate, revise, or edit written material. May review proposals and drafts for possible publication.

Main tasks

  • Verify facts, dates, and statistics, using standard reference sources.
  • Write text, such as headlines, stories, articles, editorials, or newsletters.
  • Read copy or proof to detect and correct errors in spelling, punctuation, and syntax.
  • Prepare, rewrite and edit copy to improve readability, or supervise others who do this work.
  • Develop story or content ideas, considering reader or audience appeal.
  • Allocate print space for story text, photos, and illustrations according to space parameters and copy significance, using knowledge of layout principles.

Skills

  • Reading Comprehension
  • Writing
  • Speaking
  • Active Listening
  • Critical Thinking
  • Time Management

Who this career fits

May suit you if

  • You want room to make something in your own way.
  • You like clear rules and getting the details right.
  • You are ready to spend around four years on a degree, then build experience.
  • You are comfortable relying on reading comprehension and writing.

May not suit you if

  • You prefer clear instructions to open creative briefs.
  • You want to work with your hands for most of the day. Realistic rates 1.0 out of 7 here.
  • You want to avoid a four-year degree or its equivalent.

Interest profile

O*NET rates each occupation from 1 to 7 on six interest types. The code ACE takes the three highest, and Artistic comes first here.

Preparation

Considerable preparation. Most jobs here ask for a bachelor’s degree, and employers usually expect a few years of related experience as well.

Also called

  • Acquisitions Editor
  • Assignment Editor
  • Business Editor
  • Features Editor
  • Legal Editor

Related careers

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This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.