Becoming an Editor-in-Chief

The editor-in-chief of a newspaper or magazine is the person who performs a variety of tasks such as managing and looking after the overall appearance and appeal of a newspaper or magazine. With the traditional roles of the media changing on a regular basis, the editor-in-chief jobs are growing to become more and more dynamic. The recession has seen the print media empires collapsing as well as trying to sift through various kinds of online publications. The dynamism and passion for finding authoritative sources for managing personalities are some of the factors that influence the role of the editor, although this is a job that requires considerable effort to make it to the top.

The responsibilities of an editor-in-chief embrace a variety of jobs such as ensuring that the editorial policy of the company is maintained. Although the profile of the editor-in-chief is administrative in nature primarily, the final responsibility of integrating the following is their job:

• Text
• Pictures
• Captions
• Headings

Sometimes the editor also expresses the view of the magazine or news paper with the help of an editorial column in the form of short essays dealing with current affairs. A lot of large publications make sure that the editor-in-chief takes the responsibility of seeing to it that an issue is released on time. They also select the articles, arrange the copy, and supervise the other editors. The editorial staff of the publishing houses includes:

• Senior editors
• Associate editors
• Assistant editor
• Editorial assistants

The academic requirements of editor-in-chief jobs take into account a bachelor's or master's degree in English which is helpful. You can also go to a journalism school or teach yourself the basics of all the tenets of journalism by going to an online portal such as Editor and Publisher and the Poynter Institute. A lot of colleges offer degrees in English and journalism and some of them even have master's degree courses that are offered. You can also go for qualifications relating to the liberal arts as it is a preferred option.



Advanced computer skills are a necessity in the editor-in-chief jobs as magazine editing requires being conversant with the technicalities of a PC. You can also have a specialized knowledge in any field relating to any topic, which can work as a plus point in this regard.

You can practice writing while you are in high school or at a college in the same field, this can also help you in landing an editor-in-chief job. Generally, training for editor-in-chief jobs is not required as it happens on the job. This is why it is informal in nature. Practice writing quickly and check the names and facts.

Prior experience as an editor helps you gain an idea about the aspects of reporting. For this, you can work in a rural weekly, college publication, TV, or radio station, or a web site that offers balanced coverage and reporting. Interest in news gathering operations helps you get experienced in the technical aspects of the job as you get to learn all about the media hires and fires, payments, and advertising newsroom related facts when you move on to be an editor-in-chief.

The global career prospects according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics of the editor-in-chief jobs are good with opportunities being available. However, since the task is a critical and challenging one, there are less applicants signing up as an editor these days. You are also required to stay aware of the advancements in the media and audio visual inputs for incorporating into the news features.

The salaries of editor-in-chief jobs are $50,000 per year. The salary of an editor varies according to the level of the job, location, and work experience. The added benefits of an editor-in-chief include the following:

• Paid vacations and holidays
• Medical coverage
• Retirement plans

The editor-in-chief is required to put in longer hours and even night and weekend shifts. Make sure to work harder than your peers as they are likely to help you out in the future. The editor must also be acquainted with others who are higher in ranks in the news and reporting industry, as it gives them good contacts. Leadership skills are an important part of the editor-in-chief jobs and you must aim for a staff that you have personally hired.