10 Tips on Becoming an Editor Without a Degree

You've probably heard that you need at least a bachelor's degree to become an editor. But is that true? Is it possible to become an editor without a degree?

Read on as we discuss the answer to this question and various tips you can follow as you pursue your editing dreams.

Can You Become an Editor Without a Degree?

Editors often work for publishing houses or in professional settings, such as the legal field. Editors in these roles are typically required to have a bachelor's degree.

However, it is possible to get an editing job without a degree. You may just have to work a little harder for it.

Editors without a college degree usually work with individual clients on a freelance basis. They may also work for small publishing houses, internet publications, and various other companies.

It may take years for editors without a degree to work their way up in the profession. They often need to seek out training, do volunteer work, and spend time developing their reputation.

Tips on Becoming an Editor

Do you have what it takes to become an editor? It isn't an easy path, but we've compiled some tips that will help you in your journey.

1. Develop Necessary Skills

To become an editor, you must have an excellent command of the English language, a love of words, and an ability to make stories and other pieces of writing the best they can be.

There are two things you can do that will help you develop these skills:

• Read a lot
• Write a lot

By reading, you will become familiar with words, sentence structure, grammar, and story arc. You'll begin to spot errors and gradually develop a 'feel' for how a piece of writing should look.

Writing will allow you to put these skills into practice. You will work on crafting your own sentences and creating plausible story arcs, which in turn will improve your editing abilities.

2. Learn to Use Style Guides

The English language is complicated and constantly evolving. Even the best editors won't be able to keep all of the rules in their head at all times.

This is where style guides come in. You can use them much as you would use a dictionary, looking up applicable rules when you are uncertain.

Nonfiction and academic editors should be familiar with the AP Stylebook, while fiction editors more commonly use the Chicago Manual of Style.

3. Take Online Courses

It is possible to further your education without pursuing a bachelor's degree. You can find editing courses online that will teach you the essential skills of the trade.

Though free courses are available, signing up for a paid training course may be your best bet. They typically provide higher-quality and more in-depth training than free courses do.

Courses will vary in length, usually from a few weeks to a few months. Some courses, however, may be self-paced, allowing you to study on your own time whenever it's convenient.

4. Work an Internship

Working an internship can provide valuable on-the-job experience and training, as well as the ability to make connections in the writing and publishing world.

Check with local publishing houses, newspaper companies, magazine publishers, and digital media outlets to find out if they offer internship opportunities, whether paid or unpaid.

It may take some time to find an internship if you are not a college student or recent graduate, but keep looking. With time and a little luck, your persistence will pay off.

5. Choose Your Niche

There are different types of editors, and they often work in different industries.

Some, like developmental and substantive editors, work on the big-picture elements of a story; others, like line editors and proofreaders, focus on the details like proper grammar and spelling.

Learn about each type of editor and decide which one you want to be. Choosing a niche or specialization helps you focus your skills and spend time doing what you do best.

6. Volunteer Your Services

Even after you've taken training courses and decided on a specialization, you may have a hard time landing your first job. This is because you not only have no education, but no experience.

To make up for the lack of education, you'll need to gain experience. And the best way to do this is to volunteer your editing services for free.

Offer to edit books or other pieces of writing for friends or family members, or offer to write or edit internet content for local small businesses.

7. Freelance

Once you have some volunteer work under your belt, you can begin soliciting paying work. Starting your career as a freelance editor is usually the best way to get your foot in the door.

You can search for editing jobs on freelancer websites such as Fiverr or Upwork. You can also check out freelance job boards such as Problogger.

Finally, you can develop your own website and seek out your own clients. It will take time to build a client base this way, but it can lead to you landing better editing jobs down the road.

8. Build a Portfolio

As you gain experience and seek out bigger and better editing jobs, you'll need to show potential clients or employers what you can do.

To do this, make a portfolio compiling some of your best work. You can include volunteer, freelance, or internship work, as long as it showcases your editing ability.

Your portfolio is your best chance to make a good first impression. Don't waste it on subpar content.

9. Network

It's important to get to know other professionals in the writing and publishing industry.

Take time to build relationships with writers and other editors. Attend conferences and workshops. Participate on social media sites such as LinkedIn.

All of these opportunities improve your chances of gaining referrals, learning about job openings, and ultimately, growing your career.

10. Don't Give Up

Becoming an editor without a degree takes a lot of time and continuous effort. It may seem that you are putting more into building your career than you're getting out of it.

The key is to keep pushing through the challenges and doing the work, day in and day out. Perseverance is key. Be patient and don't lose sight of your ultimate goal.

If you truly love what you do, the journey will be part of the adventure and sooner or later, you will begin to see your hard work pay off.

Start Your Editing Career Today

If you want to be an editor but don't have a degree, follow the 10 tips outlined in this article to kickstart your career and give you the best chance of success.