2. Introduction
• Joined Emerald Group Publishing five months ago as an
Editorial Assistant
• Graduated from the University of Hull with a BA in English
with Creative Writing
• Undertook a number of work experience placements in
publishing houses such as Hodder & Stoughton, Sweet &
Maxwell and Valley Press
• Undertook voluntary work as Game Night Programme
Editor for local basketball team
• Gained a proofreading qualification from the Publishing
Training Centre
• …However, there are many ways to get into publishing –
not just mine!
3.
4. Points to cover
• Qualifications
• Work experience
• Knowledge, Behaviours and Attributes
• Networking
• Resources and websites
5. Qualifications
• Most entry into publishing requires an undergraduate degree
• Common degree subjects are in English, History and
Modern Languages, but there’s no specific required subject
• Often practical insights and understanding of the publishing
process and environment is more important than the subject
studied
• Companies such as The Publishing Training Centre offer
distance learning courses and qualifications
6. Work Experience
You can get work experience in a number of ways:
• Undertake an internship
• Undertake a Work Experience Placement
• Voluntary work
If you’re not undertaking a Publishing MA, or your university
doesn’t have a partnership with a Publishing House, you may
have to seek out and apply for placements yourself.
7. Work Experience vs. Publishing MA
Work Experience Publishing MA
• Does not guarantee a job in
publishing, however it can
increase the chances of your
application getting noticed.
• Provides you with in-depth
knowledge of every area within a
publishing house.
• Placements are a set part of the
course and organised on your
behalf.
• A qualification from a university with
a good reputation within the industry
will get you noticed.
• Bookcareers.com salary survey
suggests workers who find
employment through work
experience have similar salaries to
those with specific Publishing
qualifications.
• Does not require a large fee like the
Publishing MA, however securing
work experience by yourself can be
more difficult.
• Work experience gained through
your own means is equally as
valuable as experience gained
through a Publishing MA.
8. Knowledge, Behaviours and
Attributes
• Good organisational skills and ability to deal with a large workload
• Good eye for detail
• Interest – never underestimate the power of proven interest in the
industry and the company. Do your research!
• Ability to engage and communicate with people at all levels
• Knowledge of the industry – including challenges facing companies
and new products and developments
• Bonus - Digital skills and/or knowledge is becoming more and more
important in the publishing industry as E-reading grows in popularity.
11. Networking
• Publishing is a small world – often it’s who you know that
makes a difference!
• Joining groups such as the Society of Young Publishers
and attending events can help you network and make
contacts with the right people
• Network with people online and face-to-face
• Often people in your network will hear about upcoming jobs
and tell you about it
12. Keep Yourself in the Know and On
People’s Radars!
Job-hunting can be a long and frustrating process! While
job-hunting:
• Keep your knowledge of the publishing industry up-to-date – research!
• Sign up for email notifications of upcoming jobs
• Scour social networks like Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook for job
opportunities
• Get yourself a LinkedIn profile, join relevant groups and join and
engage in group discussions
• If possible, attend publishing events and take a card or CV with you
13. Resources and Websites
• The Publishing Training Centre
http://www.train4publishing.co.uk/
• The Bookseller
http://www.thebookseller.com/
• Bookcareers * very useful!
http://www.bookcareers.com/
• Publishers Weekly
http://www.publishersweekly.com/
• Diary of a Publishing Professional *very useful!
http://diaryofapublishingintern.blogspot.co.uk/
• How To Get a Job In Publishing *very useful!
By Alison Baverstock, Steve Carey and Susannah Bowen
14. Resources and Websites
Greenhill Publishing Recruitment – (specialising in Academic, STM and Digital
Publishing)
http://www.greenhillgroup.com/jobs/index/Publishing
Atwood Tate – Digital Publishing Recruitment
http://www.atwoodtatepublishingjobs.co.uk/Atwood/index.asp
The Society of Young Publishers:
http://thesyp.org.uk/
Women in Publishing:
http://www.womeninpublishing.org.uk/
Careers Services within your own university
