Editing

[crysthewolf]

I know, it's something different every week, isn't it? ;) But I'm exploring my possibilities career-wise. Why? Hm, 'cause I can. ;) Mostly because I'm not too deeply invested in anything just yet, and EVENTUALLY, I want to go back to school (time and circumstance will have to tell on how soon it'll actually be, but hey. =P )

So I've gotten the advice from several people lately to think about what I like most about my job. I mentioned the other day that I like helping people. My problem with that, though, is that I don't really like answering the phones, don't like calling people, and am generally not GOOD with people. So... as much as I LIKE to help people... I have to wonder if a people-centric career is really for me. Still got it on the back-burner though.

Today, as I was working on some motions for one of my attorneys, I realized that I sortof go to a zen place when I'm editing. I thought "Well, it's not like I haven't thought of doing this before." I remember that at the LAST attorney's office I worked for, that was my favorite part of the job (that and taking dictation, but more the editing.)

So the question becomes... how would I get into editing? I suppose it could be anything... magazines, newspapers, books.... my guess would be that one would need a degree in English. Beyond that, though, I don't really know jack.

So I thought I'd pose my question to the LJ community. Any ideas?

Love,
Crystal

Comments

[confusedjew.livejournal.com]

all i can tell you is it's actually really hard to get into the editing business. i tried right after i graduated and kept getting turned down because even though i had a degree they wanted someone with experience. it's a weird catch 22. you'll need the degree, that's not optional but if you can get internships while in school and get experience from there it'll be helpful.

it'll also get you contacts. the only reason i got the one proofreading job i got was because i had put i played ultimate on my resume and the guy knew ultimate people.

get acquainted with the various tests as well. that'll help.

[mycybertuffet.livejournal.com]

It sounds like you might be able to make use of Barbara Sher. She writes books about figuring out what the &*(& to do with your life, and then guides you through figuring out how the &*&^ to do it. I've actually been rather impressed - her stuff has actually been quite helpful, unlike the vast majority of "I can tell you who you are and turn you into a success!" crap out there. The books are both insightful and compassionate, and yet quite practical - for example, instead of exhorting people to "think positive!", she writes about the positive power of bitching your damn head off at times. And her exercises are actually helpful. I think I found her book "Live the Life You Love" to be the most helpful, particularly the first chapter "What Motivates You?", but also helpful was "I Could Do Anything If I Only Knew What it Was." And the admittedly cringe-inducingly titled "Wishcraft," her first, is definitely a good starter - and, best of all, is available for *free* in its entirety online at http://www.wishcraft.com/.

[mycybertuffet.livejournal.com]

Just a warning, though - a decent chunk of "Wishcraft" sounds like the sort of cliched, even dangerous nonsense that characterizes most self-help jargon. I think it's probably because the book is so old - it predates the point at which that kind of language became cliched. So definitely feel free to read with your defenses up and your bullshit detector on high alert and just take whatever's helpful. :-)