Get Writing Jobs

Quite often beginners ask, "How can I get a job writing? Must I have a college degree?" In a word, "yes". Staff positions on publications (including websites) usually require at least a general B.A. in Journalism or Communications. A "writing job" is very different from freelance writing where you're accountable only to yourself.

If your heart is set on working at a publication or writing regularly for one, you'd better go to school AND get all the internships you can handle. It is as an intern that you make the contacts which will likely land you a job after graduation. Not right away, but eventually. And your title won't be "Contributing Editor" but more likely "Editorial Assistant". At smaller publications a job with the title "Assistant Editor" might be an entry-level position, so don't hesitate to apply for those, too.

Another tack toward employment in the publishing industry is to ask for "informational interviews" at publications while you're still in school. You can also do this while job-hunting, but it is more effective to have made a connection with a staff member before you start tapping your network for a job. An informational interview is just what it sounds like, only you do the interviewing, asking questions about working at that particular publication, career paths, how the person arrived at her position.

At this point, freelancing may sound a lot more appealing, except for the lack of a regular paycheck and health benefits.

Everything I said about getting a job writing also applies to getting editing jobs, except the writing should come first. How can you edit if you haven't proven your skills writing? I don't know the answer to that one, but I've met some awfully young editors in recent years.