What routes are there into the Publishing industry?🤞
If you're reading this, you're probably wanting to know what the yellow brick road is to bagging yourself a job in the Publishing Industry!
Lets start with a list of routes:
Get yourself a degree: this could be English(the most common expected degree), Illustration or Graphic Design (for the designers out there!), Marketing or some form of publishing-related business.
Get some work experience: Practical experience in today's market always creates a good impression!
Complete an internship/placement: Internships and placements can be some of the most valuable experiences if you're wanting to learn whilst actively working in your chosen industry!
Get yourself into a graduate/traineeship scheme: Graduate schemes and traineeships are another very valuable form of experience, and a great way to network and build contacts.
Set yourself up as a freelancer: If you think you can offer good freelance services - potentially in copywriting or proofreading - doing some freelance work can really boost your standing in the Publishing industry, especially if you can get good client reviews and referrals!
Some tips if you're wanting to get into join one of these routes:
Be open to all departments: If you're a natural writer/proof reader, editorial may be your sought after department. However, don't cast off other departments, as even if you start in another area, that doesn't mean you can't work your way to where you want to be!
Show your passion and persistence for the craft: Impress people with your persistence for learning and upskilling. If you're at university - join the student newspaper, or the news team. If you're about to leave school, find some work experience, attend online webinars, do online courses, or set yourself up with an internship or traineeship scheme that will be ready and waiting once you've closed those exam papers.
Be personal about finding experience or applying for jobs: When you're searching for publishers or agencies who could potentially have you join their ranks, DO.YOUR.HOMEWORK. Make sure you're clued up about their work, what authors they might represent, which genres they focus on. The more tailored the approach, the possibility of a better outcome. The great part about this is, if you're passionate about fiction, you can apply to places who deal with fiction! It's a win win, just make sure you're prepared.
Make sure your paperwork is up to date: If you're applying to opportunities that require a CV, make sure you've got it in the correct format, and that you're advertising the best version of yourself. There are lots of resources and people out there that can help you give your CV a refresh, why not go and have a browse?
One thing we need to dispel, is the fact that you DO NOT need an English degree to work in Publishing. Lots of publishers have dropped their requirement for their staff to have formal qualifications in subjects like English. Practical experience and understanding of the industry is hugely valued nowadays, so if you can show that, you're in with a good shot.
So now you've got all the information, there's a good potential you'll want to know where to get some of these opportunities...
We've got you - head to the ERIC app to check out opportunities in the Publishing industry👀👏