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Job Definition
Perform variety of editorial duties, such as laying out, indexing, and revising content of written materials, in preparation for final publication.
Job Zone

Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed

Most of these occupations require a four - year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

Interests
Artistic - Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
Social - Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
Enterprising - Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
Knowledge
English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Communications and Media - Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.
Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Law and Government - Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Administration and Management - Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
Skills
Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Time Management - Managing one's own time and the time of others.
Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Active Learning - Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Tasks
Supervise and coordinate work of reporters and other editors.
Make manuscript acceptance or revision recommendations to the publisher.
Select local, state, national, and international news items received from wire services, based on assessment of items' significance and interest value.
Interview and hire writers and reporters or negotiate contracts, royalties, and payments for authors or freelancers.
Direct the policies and departments of newspapers, magazines and other publishing establishments.
Arrange for copyright permissions.
Read material to determine index items and arrange them alphabetically or topically, indicating page or chapter location.
Prepare, rewrite and edit copy to improve readability, or supervise others who do this work.
Read copy or proof to detect and correct errors in spelling, punctuation, and syntax.
Allocate print space for story text, photos, and illustrations according to space parameters and copy significance, using knowledge of layout principles.
Plan the contents of publications according to the publication's style, editorial policy, and publishing requirements.
Verify facts, dates, and statistics, using standard reference sources.
Review and approve proofs submitted by composing room prior to publication production.
Develop story or content ideas, considering reader or audience appeal.
Oversee publication production, including artwork, layout, computer typesetting, and printing, ensuring adherence to deadlines and budget requirements.
Wages

In 2008, the California average annual wage was $59,180.00.

Most people employed in this occupation were paid between $31,280.00 and $95,040.00.

Outlook

During 2006, there were approximately 14,100 people employed in this field in California. It is projected that there will be 15,600 employed in 2016. This occupation will have about 150 openings due to growth and about 420 replacement openings for approximately 570 total annual openings. This occupation .

Colleges and Training
Below are college programs that are generally associated with this occupation. To view colleges that offer these programs, click on the titles below.
Publishing - A program that focuses on the process of managing the creation, publication, and distribution of print and electronic books and other text products and prepares individuals to manage the editorial, technical, and business aspects of publishing operations. Includes instruction in product planning and design, editing, author relations, business and copyright law, publishing industry operations, contracting and purchasing, product marketing, electronic publishing and commerce, history of publishing, and professional standards and ethics.
Similar Occupations
Radio and Television Announcers - Talk on radio or television. May interview guests, act as master of ceremonies, read news flashes, identify station by giving call letters, or announce song title and artist.
Broadcast News Analysts - Analyze, interpret, and broadcast news received from various sources.
Reporters and Correspondents - Collect and analyze facts about newsworthy events by interview, investigation, or observation. Report and write stories for newspaper, news magazine, radio, or television.
Technical Writers - Write technical materials, such as equipment manuals, appendices, or operating and maintenance instructions. May assist in layout work.
Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers - Create original written works, such as scripts, essays, prose, poetry or song lyrics, for publication or performance.
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