If you’re interested in books, magazines, newspapers or media in general and you want to start a career based on your passions, becoming a publisher might be a good choice for you. Publishers are the people behind the scene, the ones in charge of finding the right talent, selecting and editing works, and managing the production and distribution process. As, you can see, this can be a pretty exciting and dynamic line of work. But what does it take to enter this career field? Beyond passion and drive, here are the steps you need to follow in order to become a successful publisher.
Get qualified
If you want to break into the publishing industry, you’ve got to focus on your education. There’s no specific subject you have to study to become a publisher, but it’s absolutely necessary to earn a Bachelor’s Degree. You can choose any field you want, as most of them will give you the opportunity to land an entry-level job in publishing.
However, studying subjects such as English, communications, journalism, writing or liberal arts may be a good idea. So, find the subject that suits you best, study hard, use academic transcriptions and other tools to make the learning process more efficient and get your diploma.
If you want to improve your chances, you might want to consider earning a Master’s Degree in publishing. This will help you acquire industry-specific knowledge and provide a valuable head start when you apply for jobs in publishing.
Look for an internship
It’s not easy to land a great job in publishing or even an entry-level job without any prior work experience. There are plenty of applicants and not enough available positions, so the competition is going to be tough. That’s why it’s very important to focus on internships to earn that much-needed experience in the industry and get acquainted with work in publishing. This will help you boost your CV and give you a significant advantage over other applicants.
Land a job in publishing
Once you’ve completed your education and you’ve gotten a taste of what is like to work in a publishing house, you’re all set to start a career in the industry. Now it’s time to decide what position suits you best and what area of publishing you want to work in. Roles and salaries vary greatly depending on the department you choose, so you’ll have to think long and hard before making a decision. Apply for jobs that give you the opportunity to work your way up and get the position you aspire to.
Stand out from the crowd
You must be aware you’re not the only one fighting hard to get your foot in the door. So, you’ll have to put in extra effort to get ahead of the competition and make employees notice you. This means you should focus on researching the company you’d like to work for, constantly improving your skills and personalizing your applications. Confidence, creativity and a proactive attitude will make you stand out from the crowd.