By now, you know that editing is a difficult career field to enter without experience. Completing an internship is the best way to solve the issue of how to get editorial experience before you land your first job. Some internship positions are available to current college students, while others are open to recent graduates.
Internship experience is particularly important for students who intend to serve as an editor at a publishing house. This is because it is standard practice for publishing house employees to begin as assistants. After gaining at least a few years of experience, they can work their way up the publishing house ladder.
Note that publishing house jobs and internships are often not available via remote work arrangements, although other types of editing opportunities often are. New York City — the de facto capital of the publishing world — is home to a high concentration of publishing houses with employment opportunities. However, you will find publishing houses and independent presses in other cities as well. If you live outside a city with publishing opportunities, you might consider temporarily relocating for a summer internship.
As an intern, you might serve as an assistant to a variety of editors, such as the acquisitions editor or developmental editor. It is critical to make a good impression in your role because you will rely on your internship supervisors to provide professional references (and possibly even to make a job offer after graduation). Strive to consistently arrive a few minutes early for work, be attentive and utilize any feedback you are given.
At first, you may not receive many editing-related tasks. Eventually, however, you may be asked to read through the “slush pile” of unsolicited manuscripts to identify any that may be worthy of publication. If you prove yourself to be a conscientious worker, it is more likely that you will receive assignments that are more closely related to your future career goals.
Outside of the book publishing world, you will find that internship opportunities abound for aspiring editors. Check for job postings from newspapers, magazines, and marketing agencies. Be open to the idea of accepting an internship focused on writing if one that emphasizes editing is not available.
