What to study and in what industry to find a job?

In the previous part of the editor cycle, we discussed issues such as a candidate's innate qualities and the skills they should be characterized by. If we are sure that we are suitable for this role, then shaping the writing workshop seems to be a mandatory activity that brings us closer to the profession. It is worse if, despite our sincere willingness and long attempts to search, we do not meet certain requirements in the eyes of the employer. There are two options here: either we actually overestimate our own abilities and we should simply look for other offers on the labor market, or we have opportunities (e.g.writers), but we lack other attributes that will help in the effective performance of the profession. So let's focus on the elements that need to be worked on on the way to success.

Skills acquired for the position of editor

You have an original writing style. You put the next words on the paper like an experienced painter paints on a canvas. And you make a large number of spelling, punctuation or stylistic mistakes. There is no place to cover up with dysorthography. Even good grades in Polish in high school are not enough if we do not eliminate certain habits. First of all, it is worth analyzing your free text. Pay attention to the most frequently repeated words and visible errors - you can ask an outsider for help, because this way it is easier to catch mistakes that you do not want or cannot see. It is best to write down the most frequently repeated mistakes in a visible place, try to find synonyms, or - in the case of punctuation and spelling mistakes - write down the correct form.

Needless to say, even the best specialists in this field should have constant access to several dictionaries. Works such as: Great Spelling Dictionary (PWN), Great Dictionary of Correct Polish (PWN), Polish for Every Day (PWN), Text Editing - Practical Guide (PWN), Kultura Języka Polskiego (3 volumes - PWN) or the New Punctuation Dictionary ( Krakowskie Wydawnictwo Naukowe) are the foundations of editorial knowledge, which it would be a sin not to use. Of course, you can find many more offers on the market, although the above is more than enough in the event of any doubts related to the editing of texts in Polish. It will also be a good idea to participate in various types of training or internships that will consolidate theoretical knowledge.

Is it worth studying journalism or Polish studies?

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It is difficult to find an unequivocal answer to this question. It cannot be denied that both journalism and Polish studies will make it possible to prepare a candidate for a future profession well. They not only enable the development of existing skills, but also allow you to look at the chosen position from an academic point of view, which is difficult to acquire in any other way than by studying the above-mentioned fields of study. It is worth considering your decision carefully and finding out how many theoretical and how many practical skills you can gain in this way. Each university follows its own curriculum, which translates into the subsequent choice of specialization. You can always ask in advance for information such as the number of additional activities related to the editor's work, whether practical workshops are planned, the possibility of internships in selected editorial offices, and who will prepare us for the profession - theorists or people with many years of experience as an editor. Certainly, this information will help you make the right decision, but you should also remember about another key aspect.

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In which industry do I want to work as an editor?

Polish philology or journalism will undoubtedly facilitate the path to acquiring the skills required by future employers. You need to ask yourself another important question: what do I really know and what is my passion? In the case of book publishing houses, graduating from the aforementioned faculties can give you a significant advantage in finding your dream job. If we have a number of other interests, it may be a better idea to combine several passions, opening the way to a specific type of editorial.

Are you interested in marketing and at the same time feel that the editor's position is perfect for you? Perhaps it is worth choosing studies related to the field of marketing and the choice of journalistic specialization? You do not have programming skills and a head for science, and yet you regularly follow news related to the IT industry? Also, nothing prevents you from trying your hand at sending text samples to trade magazines or websites. The same rule also applies to other professions: accountant, lawyer, doctor, PR specialist - each of these fields allows you to work as an editor. This is important because it allows for development in many directions that interest the candidate. In this case, the aforementioned work resulting from passion gives an additional stimulus to professional development.

As you can see, working as an editor allows not only personal and professional development, but also occupation in practically every industry. Of course, studies in the field of humanities should facilitate the path to the goal, but it does not have to be a necessity if we associate our plans with, for example, editorial staff related to technical sciences. This is another advantage that emphasizes openness. When applying for this position, it is also difficult to find repetition or monotony. Virtually every text - whether original or requiring editing - is completely different from the previous one, even if it touches upon a well-known subject.

It also shows how colorful and complex the Polish language is. In fact, it is difficult to find the final line here that would lead to professional burnout - a multitude of current information from the country and the world, the latest scientific discoveries, individual thoughts based on personal experience - the editor not only learns the rules of spelling or how to edit and proofread texts throughout his life. . He must constantly read - books, scientific publications, magazines and the latest news - analyze, arrange the topics of subsequent articles in his head and study the spelling rules and any changes adopted by the Polish Language Council. When working as an editor, you need to have a much wider field of view. Not only to educate yourself in other fields of science, but also to make the knowledge we transmit accessible and attractive to the reader. In the next part of the series, we will move on to the issue of the first application for a job as an editor and analyze the most important elements to convince a future employer to our person. The beginnings can be much more difficult than it may seem. If we successively strive for self-realization and have already mastered the abovementioned skills, then undoubtedly we are almost at the top of our goal.