Career as a Writer and/or Editor

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Career as a Writer and/or Editor
By Bernadette Gibbons
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Job Duties

• Duties
• Writers and authors develop original fiction and
  nonfiction for books, magazines, trade journals,
  online publications, company newsletters, radio
  and television broadcasts, motion pictures, and
  advertisements.
• Creative writers, poets, and lyricists, including
  novelists, playwrights, and screenwriters, create
  original workssuch as prose, poems, plays, and
  song lyricsfor publication or performance.
• The hours are usually quite long and erratic.
  The job can be stressful in terms of juggling
  projects.

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Interpersonal and Technical Skills

• One must be able to work both in a group as well
  as by themselves. Many times there will be
  projects that require knowledge of the internet
  and various computer programs.
• Communication skills play a major role in this
  career because sometimes a journalist may need to
  interview others.

• I feel that I have excellent communication
  skills, but I need to further develop my ability
  to work in groups because I have the tendency to
  remain quiet and not voice my true opinion.

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Entry Level of Education

• A college degree generally is required for a
  position as a writer or editor. Although some
  employers look for a broad liberal arts
  background, most prefer to hire people with
  degrees in communications, journalism, or
  English.
• For those who specialize in a particular area,
  such as fashion, business, or law, additional
  background in the chosen field is expected.
  Knowledge of a second language is helpful for
  some positions.

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Growing or Shrinking?

• During 2002, there were approximately
  19,510 Editors employed in NY.
• It is estimated that in 2012 there will be
  19,420  employed in New York. This represents a
  decrease of minus nine jobs each year, and a
  total of 472 job openings each year.

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Can Writing be Trendy???

• These days most writers are not only based in
  current events and news, but I feel that nowadays
  many writers are branching off and doing more
  personal work.
• Writers are finding their own niche and are being
  given the opportunity to make a name for
  themselves as well as an individual style.

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Breaking the Bank???

• Median annual earnings for salaried editors were
  43,890 in May 2004. The middle 50 percent earned
  between 33,130 and 58,850. The lowest 10
  percent earned less than 25,780, and the highest
  10 percent earned more than 80,020. Median
  annual earnings of those working for newspaper,
  periodical, book, and directory publishers were
  43,620.

• Median annual earnings for salaried writers and
  authors were 44,350 in May 2004. The middle 50
  percent earned between 31,720 and 62,930. The
  lowest 10 percent earned less than 23,330, and
  the highest 10 percent earned more than 91,260.
  Median annual earnings were 54,410 in
  advertising and related services and 37,010 in
  newspaper, periodical, book, and directory
  publishers.

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• Based on the research that I performed, this
  career would suit me to the ground. My
  expression of self would be necessary throughout
  all aspects of this career. I have always loved
  doing things that force me to present myself in
  one way or another.

Does This Job Suit Me?

• I learned from the chapter work that I an quite
  comfortable with where I find myself in most
  areas especially school at this point in time. I
  feel that I am at the highest point on the
  pyramid that I have ever been.

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• The campus is located at the corner of Columbus
  (Ninth) Avenue and West 60th Street
• Fordham University offers a great deal of majors
  and focuses mainly on liberal arts and is known
  widely for its fine and performing arts.
• Core Curriculum is as follows
• Three courses of English composition and
  literature
• Two courses of Philosophy and two of Theology
• Two courses each in History, Social Sciences, and
  the Natural Sciences
• One course each in Mathematics and the Fine Arts
• Foreign language up to an advanced level
• Courses on American Pluralism and Global Studies
• A capstone Senior Seminar in Values and Moral
  Choices

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Communication Media Studies

• The Department of Communication Media Studies
  provides its students with a disciplined
  understanding of issues in media and society. The
  program blends theory and professional training
  to prepare students for advanced study or careers
  in the media.

• I want to be able to learn about the different
  ways one can write and yet still be involved in
  the entertainment industry.
• I enjoy film making and writing my own material
  so maybe a combination of both is a possibility.

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Transfer Time...

• I will certainly be keeping Fordham University
  in mind when I am transferring from Lagcc next
  Spring. I love that they are located in the
  heart of Manhattan and that many of the careers
  that interest be would also be found here in this
  great city.

• Because I am currently a Liberal Arts major, I
  have an excellent chance of most, if not all of
  my credits transferring to the four year college
  of my choice.

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• Tuition There was no specific price listed on
  the Fordham University site, but I know it ranges
  somewhere within 25,000-30,000 a year with room
  and board.
• Fordham is considered a private Jesuit college
  and it four different campuses which are
• Fordham UniversityLincoln Center113 W. 60th
  StNew York, NY 10023
• Fordham UniversityRose Hill Campus441 E.
  Fordham Rd.Bronx, NY 10458
• Fordham UniversityLaw School140 W. 62nd
  StreetNew York, NY 10023
• Marymount College100 Marymount Ave. Tarrytown,
  NY 10591

Katie Fraser Prize in Comparative
LiteratureKatie Fraser, a 1989 graduate of
Fordham College at Lincoln Center, was an
outstanding student in the comparative literature
program. She was working toward a doctorate in
comparative literature when she passed away in
October 1993. This award is made in her honor at
graduation for the best thesis in comparative
literature. This is a scholarship that is
offered that may be something that I could one
day look into
Fordham has a study abroad program which offers
its student the opportunity to study in various
English speaking countries which is something I
have always wanted to do. I would love to study
for at least on seemster in Ireland, where both
of my parents are from.
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• I would surely consider Fordham University as my
  next college of choice because I believe it to be
  a very prestigious school where I could
  accomplish a great deal and yet stay close to
  home so that I could remain close with my family.
• I also feel that I would be able to stay local
  enough so that I can find the type of job that I
  am looking to receive.
• Graduation from Fordham University is on my
  horizon.