A managing editor is in charge of overseeing the entire editorial process for a print publication such as a newspaper, magazine, or book. The managing editor may also be known as the editor in chief, publishing manager, executive editor, copy editor, or publishing supervisor, depending on the company or the specific functions the position entails. Supervising the editorial staff, copyediting the publication’s content, managing a budget, and assisting writers with their craft are all common responsibilities. While there is no one-two-three formula for becoming a managing editor, you will typically need an undergraduate degree, industry experience, and a strong skill set.
Taking college courses in journalism or communications is usually the best way to get started as a managing editor. Depending on their level of experience, managing editors are more likely to have a bachelor’s or master’s degree in the field. This is true even if they began their career as a reporter for the school newspaper, radio station, or television station at an entry-level position.
One of the technical aspects of a managing editor’s job is layout design. To work as a managing editor, you’ll most likely need to be able to maintain a consistent style in both the written content and the physical layout of the publication. Managing editors must typically be able to determine what will catch and hold a reader’s attention. A publication’s visual layout can be just as important as the content it contains.
You may also need to volunteer or find an internship at a local newspaper, radio station, or television station to become a managing editor. This can provide you with valuable real-world experience as well as valuable networking opportunities within your field of work. If at all possible, consider doing editorial work for other organizations, such as non-profits or other community activities, which will look good on your resume.
Another thing to think about is the area of expertise editors want to fill, especially if they’re moving into a niche sector like technical writing. For example, if you want to oversee the editorial content of an in-house computer company’s publication, you should get computer science training and experience. You should also inquire if you will be able to shadow the company’s writers, editors, or proofreaders. This will not only provide you with practical experience, but it will also help you establish your presence in the industry.