Copy Editors

High School

To prepare for a career as a copy editor while in high school take as many English and writing courses as possible. Working on your school newspaper or yearbook also will provide beneficial experience. Because a college degree is necessary to enter this profession, also take college preparatory course. Learning and mastering a second language—such as Spanish—will allow you to work on manuscripts that are in another language. Having this talent will make you a more attractive job candidate.

Postsecondary Training

A copy editor must have a bachelor's degree, and advanced degrees are highly recommended for editors who are interested in moving up in the industry. Most copy editors have degrees in English or journalism, but it is not unheard of for editors to major in one of the other liberal arts. If you know that you want to specialize in a field such as scientific editing, you may wish to major in the area of science of your choice while minoring in English, writing, or journalism. There are many opportunities for editors in technical fields, since most of those who go into editing are interested primarily in the liberal arts. Many colleges offer courses in book editing, magazine design, general editing, and writing. Some colleges, such as the University of Chicago, University of Denver, and Stanford University, offer programs in publishing, and many magazines and newspapers offer internships to students. Take advantage of these opportunities. It is extremely important that you gain some practical experience while you are in school. Work on the school paper or find a part-time job with a newspaper or magazine. Don't hesitate to work for a publication in a noneditorial position. The more you know about the publishing business, the better off you will be.

Certification

The City College of New York, Columbia University, New York University, Pace University, University of Chicago, the University of Denver, and other colleges and universities offer publishing-related certificates to those who take a certain number of classes about topics such as publishing basics, proofreading, copyediting, and copyright. A full list of schools that offer these programs can be found at http://bookjobs.com/publishing-programs.

Other Education or Training

The American Society of News Editors, ACES: The Society for Editing, Association of American Publishers, Editorial Freelancers Association, Investigative Reporters and Editors, News Media Alliance, and Online News Association offer webinars, conference seminars, workshops, and other continuing education opportunities. Topics include editing, proofreading, developing a freelance business, writing, social media, and technology. Contact these organizations for more information.