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Job outlook for technical editors in the United States
Technical editor job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected technical editor job growth rate is -5% from 2018-2028.
About -5,500 new jobs for technical editors are projected over the next decade.
Technical editor salaries have increased 11% for technical editors in the last 5 years.
There are over 17,729 technical editors currently employed in the United States.
There are 78,423 active technical editor job openings in the US.
The average technical editor salary is $61,717.
Are technical editor jobs in demand?
Technical editor job and salary trends over time
Technical editor jobs over time
Technical editor job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 17,729 | 0.01% |
| 2020 | 18,230 | 0.01% |
| 2019 | 18,917 | 0.01% |
| 2018 | 18,772 | 0.01% |
| 2017 | 18,653 | 0.01% |
Average technical editor salary over time
Technical editor salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $61,717 | $29.67 | +3.3% |
| 2024 | $59,741 | $28.72 | +3.2% |
| 2023 | $57,901 | $27.84 | +1.2% |
| 2022 | $57,210 | $27.50 | +2.7% |
| 2021 | $55,691 | $26.77 | +2.1% |
Technical editor jobs by state
Most common states for technical editors
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 221 | 32% |
| 2 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 134 | 18% |
| 3 | Alaska | 739,795 | 124 | 17% |
| 4 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 912 | 16% |
| 5 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 298 | 16% |
| 6 | Delaware | 961,939 | 153 | 16% |
| 7 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 846 | 15% |
| 8 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 1,699 | 13% |
| 9 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 110 | 13% |
| 10 | New York | 19,849,399 | 2,431 | 12% |
| 11 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 1,222 | 12% |
| 12 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 444 | 12% |
| 13 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 351 | 12% |
| 14 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 251 | 12% |
| 15 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 1,432 | 11% |
| 16 | Indiana | 6,666,818 | 712 | 11% |
| 17 | Missouri | 6,113,532 | 664 | 11% |
| 18 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 639 | 11% |
| 19 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 338 | 11% |
| 20 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 130 | 10% |
Most common cities for technical editors
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Palo Alto | 2 | 3% | $68,341 |
| 2 | Reston | 2 | 3% | $62,059 |
| 3 | Annapolis | 1 | 3% | $50,870 |
| 4 | Bowie | 1 | 2% | $50,783 |
| 5 | Washington | 7 | 1% | $65,762 |
| 6 | Alexandria | 1 | 1% | $62,103 |
| 7 | Bloomington | 1 | 1% | $60,730 |
| 8 | Cambridge | 1 | 1% | $58,177 |
| 9 | Sacramento | 2 | 0% | $67,886 |
| 10 | San Diego | 2 | 0% | $63,421 |
| 11 | Albuquerque | 1 | 0% | $55,146 |
| 12 | Baton Rouge | 1 | 0% | $38,819 |
| 13 | Boston | 1 | 0% | $58,197 |
| 14 | Chandler | 1 | 0% | $52,858 |
| 15 | Chicago | 1 | 0% | $61,715 |
| 16 | Des Moines | 1 | 0% | $40,001 |
Technical Editor job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of technical editor experts
Tusculum University
Washington and Lee University
Colorado Mesa University
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
University of New Mexico
University of Rhode Island
Milwaukee Area Technical College
Ohio Northern University
California State University, Los Angeles
University of Wisconsin - Madison
California State University San Bernardino
Mercer University
University of Nevada - Reno
American Society of Magazine Editors
California University of Pennsylvania
Cal Poly
University of Minnesota
Bucknell University
University of Oregon
Independence Community College
Vicky Johnson Bós
Associate Professor of EnglishTusculum University
English Language And Literature
What Technical Editor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Vicky Johnson Bós: Students should be very familiar with using AI in responsible, informed ways to further their writing and research. Having people-skills will never go unused. Good writing and technological skills will become even more in demand with the growth of new, unexplored job markets.
What will help Technical Editors increase their earning potential?
Vicky Johnson Bós: Have practical experience in that field through a summer job, internship, or access to expertise. Getting a Master's Degree or even a PhD can greatly influence salary potential. Be aware that you may have to take a 'starting' job at less of a good salary to get practical experience to make the leap to a better paying job.
What general advice would you give to a Technical Editor?
Vicky Johnson Bós: In order for a new college graduate to be successful in a career, they should have done/should do the following:
* Take advantage of an internship for practical experience
* Seriously consider a Master's Degree
* Have a portfolio of personal work to show during interviews
* Collect business cards of people in your future job market and network!
* Have a polished, professional resume`
What general advice would you give to a Technical Editor?
Kevin Finch: Comfort with all forms of technology-the obvious answer. In corporate boardrooms all over America, the suits view you as a techno-genius even though they've never met you. That's because they make that generalization about everyone in your generation. It may be unfair, but it's often the price of admission. So, be conversant in many social media platforms. Learn all you can about AI. Be able to explain algorithms to your new colleagues and bosses. They will probably end up learning from you.
Dr. Tiffany Kinney PhD
Associate Professor of EnglishColorado Mesa University
English Language And Literature
What general advice would you give to a Technical Editor?
Dr. Tiffany Kinney PhD: Skills that are becoming important and prevalent over the next 3-5 years would include an ability to work with artificial intelligence, an ability to collaborate, and the ability to communicate.
What Technical Editor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Tiffany Kinney PhD: In terms of general advice, students just entering the career field after graduating should apply far and wide. In other words, I would suggest that students not limit themselves because they might be surprised where they can land a job. With that said, they should still tailor their application materials for the job that they want, instead of just sending out the same materials again/again.
What will help Technical Editors increase their earning potential?
Dr. Tiffany Kinney PhD: Skills that are becoming important and prevalent over the next 3-5 years would include an ability to work with artificial intelligence, an ability to collaborate, and the ability to communicate.
Randall Auxier
Professor of Philosophy and Communication StudiesSouthern Illinois University Edwardsville
Rhetoric And Composition/Writing Studies
What general advice would you give to a Technical Editor?
Randall Auxier: Being the writer in your workplace can be seriously enhanced by the ability to do animation, illustration, graphics, charts, and to create good-looking documents with publishing software (e.g., Indesign). Being only the writer is limiting by comparison. Working with images of all kinds is almost as important as the writing.
What Technical Editor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Randall Auxier: Writers have to be patient about this. The fields that were once supporting writers (e.g., journalism) have dried up. No one gets paid much for this kind of work any more. The best strategy is to seek a position that has upward mobility and become a writer in the fashion described above. You have to be good at it, of course, to increase your value to a company. Being sure that you are credited for everything you do, in the text, is very important, in creating a portfolio that makes you mobile. People will let you go uncredited unless you insist on being credited. Here you really must be bold. You are not moving your career forward unless you are credited for everything you do. No one can reasonably deny your request to be credited, so insist on it.
What will help Technical Editors increase their earning potential?
Randall Auxier: At first it isn't going to be any fun. Writing is something every office needs --and being the person in the workplace who can do that provides a secure niche. You need not start in a job that has writing as one of its main requirements; rather, you take what you can get and then work your way into the writing role --any time something needs to be written, volunteer to do it. Soon you'll have more than you can handle. At this point, look for ways to get your writing seen as yours, newsletter, liaison with the communications office for your workplace, etc. Being known by your co-workers as a writer can lead all kinds of places, although not usually toward management. It's opportunity to write increasingly important things that counts as upward movement.
Kate Cunningham
Multimedia communication instructorUniversity of New Mexico
Department of Communication and Journalism
What hard/technical skills are most important for Technical Editors?
Kate Cunningham: As you can imagine, journalism has become more and more digital, and technical skills play more of a role than they did just a few years ago. For example, if you understand the basics of publishing using a content management system, that's an advantage. If you can add good quality and well-edited video to your online news story, that's an advantage too. Video, for example, helps you add new dimensions to your story and brings in new audience members. We know some people will watch a video and not read a story and vice versa.
Other important technical skills include knowing how to use spreadsheets to analyze data.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Technical Editors?
John Pantalone: I don't think we have any idea what the long-term effects of the pandemic will be either in economic terms, health terms, or employment terms. It is much too soon to tell. Everything depends on what the government does, how corporations respond to the changing economic climate and evolving technologies. In the field of journalism, everything is up in the air and it will be years before we have a good idea of how journalism will evolve and survive.
What's a good job out of college for Technical Editors?
John Pantalone: At this point, at the risk of being sarcastic, any job is a good job. The real answer is that it depends on the field you plan to go into and what you consider a good job. A livable wage with reasonable benefits is part of the equation; the other part is whether you genuinely enjoy the work.
What technical skills for a Technical Editor stand out to employers?
John Pantalone: Hard to say. I'm sure good computer skills are important in any job, but so are strong communication skills. If by technical skills you mean software programs, etc., it again depends on the nature of the job/work. Knowledge of basic software, social media platforms, data interpretation all seem important now.
Kevin Pulz
Academic Department Chair/Senior Producer-Director, Milwaukee PBSMilwaukee Area Technical College
Television and Video Production/eProduction- Milwaukee PBS
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Technical Editors?
Kevin Pulz: There's no doubt that the pandemic has and will continue to have a clear impact on current college/university students and upcoming and recent graduates. The way things are 'done', for example, has been redefined in a fashion that in some ways makes traditional broadcast production unrecognizable. Studio camera operators have been replaced by fixed computer camera lenses for Zoom calls; efforts to collect high-quality audio have fallen to camera mics at best, and poor computer mics at worst in order to distance audio operators from talent or interview subjects; studio productions are a shell of what they once were; sports and event programming have diminished in frequency or disappeared altogether.
However, while many facets of media and broadcasting have seen a degradation of quality, content continues to flow. Rethinking the production process is not a bad thing, rather a challenging one. Local broadcasters may not be enjoying the large production teams they were before the pandemic, but viewing has not abated. Streaming content has exploded as it offers flexibility in accessibility to viewers and all of a sudden episodes of long forgotten shows appear quite palatable.
The landscape of these industries are evolving. The challenge is to be able to adapt to that evolution, all the while ensuring that high-quality skills remain attainable and sharp for the time when viewers no longer passively accept muddy or choppy looking video content on their 4k home screens.
What technical skills for a Technical Editor stand out to employers?
Kevin Pulz: What skills AREN'T desirable to employers? Video Editors need to be motion graphics stars as well. Videographers are more valuable if they are photojournalists or video essayists in addition. On-line content mediators and creators are in demand as corporations that once flew in employees for training are finding all sorts of benefits to creating visual media locally and sharing globally.
There's no substitute for solid production skills and strength in technology as a whole; but there's a voracious appetite for cutting edge approaches to content treatment, acquisition and delivery. Possessing the ability to deliver on both the audio and video quality we've come to expect as well as the promise of developing fresh modes of content creating utilizing new and exciting technologies positions anyone early on their career well for long-term success in a rapidly challenging and exciting world of media.
What's a good job out of college for Technical Editors?
Kevin Pulz: Broadcasting is still, strangely, considered a glamor field in so many ways. Little do people realize that cable wrapping and happily executed grunt work are essential talents that often separate the job recipient from the 5 interviewees and 95 applicants for a gig that pays less than fast-food work, even with a college degree.
So a good job out of college is ANY job in the field. Being 'in' and demonstrating one's ability in a professional environment remains key to opportunity in the future.
That said, it's clear that an area of media that's ripe for growth is multiplatform content delivery. It's in the wheelhouse of recent graduates based upon age and media consumption habits and, with traditional broadcast audiences growing older, an aspect of content creation that promises to grow even more legs as distribution methodologies develop and mature.
What's a day at work look like for a Technical Editor?
Shane Tilton Ph.D.: This line of evidence is pointing to one central truth. Those that practiced multimedia journalism techniques before the pandemic will find success now. Also, organizations are looking for those graduates that can be a "one-stop-shop" for producing stories from home. I don't believe that trend will change. This trend also addresses the third question. Graduates are leaving colleges better prepared to use computer-mediated communication tools to complete their jobs' essential tasks. They understand how to be engaging and communicate effectively via their more contemporary communication tools.
What technical skills for a Technical Editor stand out to employers?
Shane Tilton Ph.D.: Weirdly, the pandemic has been good to those trained in media production. All organizations now find themselves in the position to need to use digital media production tools more regularly. I can not count the number of conversations I have had with colleagues and interested parties looking for students and alumni to work with them to develop their media platform. Even if a student can not find a job in journalism, the skills they learn in our program are adaptable to a virtually endless number of organizations across the world. They know how to be effective communicators using media production tools.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Technical Editors?
Shane Tilton Ph.D.: I have argued that the pandemic has dropkicked society, culture, and daily activities fifty years into the future. We are doing more decentralized work virtually from home. The journalism industry seems to have felt the boot prints of that dropkick as much as any industry. One of the continuous influences of COVID-19 post-pandemic appears to be the "home studio model" for broadcasters and journalism organizations. I would point to the "Room Raters" Twitter account as evidence for this claim. It seems that people are more comfortable with reporting from home. Journalism graduates are now presenting news stories in a quasi-informal manner. The general public seems to be okay seeing journalists in more business casual clothing than the power suit.
It has also fundamentally changed the functional roles of journalists. Contributors and correspondents show off their credibility by displaying the books they wrote on the shelves behind them or the visual artifacts of their subject of expertise. Anchors have a screen behind them, highlighting the story with some visuals. Citizen journalists are finding more accessible access to essential sources via Zoom or Skype. Reporters are framing their interviews via those services as well.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Technical Editors?
Kate Kurtin Ph.D.: Yes! Absolutely! We can only assume that the whole world will be affected by this pandemic for years to come. The workforce, for starters, will be tremendously affected. Currently, for example, there are limited service jobs in parts of the country. These are jobs that millions of graduates hold. We also have the highest unemployment rate in modern history. Once the country opens up again and companies begin to hire again, everyone who lost their job in the last year will be competing with recent graduates on the same job market. We saw this after the recession as well.
Speaking more positively, companies are now realizing that their employees can work effectively and efficiently from home. It has been predicted that this will shift many more traditional office jobs to permanent telecommuting. This is great news for graduates because they can broaden their job search.
I am also hopeful that creative industries will getting very busy soon. Personally, I teach in advertising and public relations and those industries will be in high demand.
What technical skills for a Technical Editor stand out to employers?
Kate Kurtin Ph.D.: Every article on the subject says that communication skills are the most important skills to have when on the job market - and this is not my bias speaking, even Warren Buffet said it! Public speaking, critical thinking, interpersonal skills, etc., these are things that stand out to employers.
What's a good job out of college for Technical Editors?
Kate Kurtin Ph.D.: Any job that you are passionate about and brings you joy is a great job out of college. Don't look for a "forever job" after college, look for a job where you can learn and grow and support yourself.
What experience really stands out on Technical Editor resumes?
Patricia Hastings: The experience I think everyone needs is video, for those who aren't going into that area. Everyone uses video. Having an understanding of how to make your message or story translate to video is important and it's not that easy to do. That, and the ability to enterprise story ideas. Actually taking an idea and turning into a story for online, or broadcast or print is key. You can't tell the story the same way for each one, and so to analyze and then make a good story is important.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Technical Editors to find work opportunities?
Guy D. Hepp: Again, I think a student needs to think about what they want to do within the broad field of anthropology. Take a variety of courses and see if you can settle on the subdiscipline or topic that interests you most. Are you passionate about museums and curation? Do you want to work with a company that helps to preserve cultural heritage as development continues? Do you want to work to help make government policies more culturally inclusive, both in the United States and abroad? Anthropology might be perfect for you. I would suggest that students interested in archaeology take a field school, and then, begin working in cultural resources management (CRM) to see how they enjoy it. If museums are what interest you, consider not only courses in museum studies (offered in some anthropology departments or in programs otherwise affiliated with anthropology) but also pursue internships and volunteer opportunities. There are jobs out there. It might help you to get started if you volunteer for the type of career you want.
Dr. Joshua Rodefer Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Psychology and NeuroscienceMercer University
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
What type of skills will young Technical Editors need?
Dr. Joshua Rodefer Ph.D.: I think it's safe to say a strong foundation in the basics is critically essential. Of course, a broad background in neuroscience coursework is necessary. However, quantitative skills should be near the top of anyone's list, but what that means has been changing. Traditionally it's been essential to have graduates who are comfortable with understanding, using, and interpreting statistical information.
But more recently, exposure to coursework in data science, data analytics, computer programming has become special skills. Critical in this endeavor is developing healthy skepticism regarding all data, what it means, and what it doesn't mean. Sometimes individuals talk about this as critical thinking or scientific literacy, which are essential for all graduates to be better-informed citizens.
It is also vital that individuals work to become good communicators (broadly defined). Although it is rarely discussed and focused upon in mass media portrayals of scientists, writing is essential as each scientist's career depends upon their ability to communicate research results, convince employers that your work is necessary, and persuade government and funding agencies that they should sponsor your research activities.
How do you envision technology impacting Technical Editors in the next 5 years?
Dr. Joshua Rodefer Ph.D.: Computational skills and experiences likely will be essential. Robotic automation transformed the manufacturing industry, and I would expect a growing reliance on computer programming, machine learning, and artificial intelligence (AI) in neuroscience. Modern science generates data in orders of magnitude greater than what was typical in past decades. These experiences and skills will facilitate complex data analysis and decision-making in fields related to neuroscience.
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Technical Editors in the next 3-5 years?
Paul Mitchell Ph.D.: Having good computer skills and phone skills are a must-anything dealing with AI as well.
What general advice would you give to a Technical Editor?
Sidney Holt: The biggest challenge facing editorial hopefuls is uncertainty. Magazines and websites were already experiencing unprecedented challenges as the consumption of media changed and publishers shifted from advertising-supported to reader-supported business models. The pandemic only accelerated those trends. For new graduates, that means fewer opportunities to work for established brands (and where those opportunities do exist, it means working remotely, at least for the foreseeable future, which in turn means fewer opportunities to enjoy the kind of one-on-one training that furthered the careers of previous generations of writers and editors).
That's the downside. The upside is that the skills and energy young journalists can bring to a media organization are especially valuable during a period of extraordinary change. But you have to be prepared to be resilient. Not only is "the gold watch after 50 years" gone; you have expect you won't be in any job very long, at least in the early years of your career.
What type of skills will young Technical Editors need?
Dr. Christina Fisanick: College graduates in 2021 and beyond, need all of the skills that English programs have to offer: critical thinking, effective communication, creativity, and flexibility. New hires need to be able to adapt to workplace changes quickly and with aplomb, which requires critical thinking and problem solving and the ability to communicate those solutions to a diverse audience clearly and effectively. Those skills are refined and practiced regularly in English programs.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Technical Editors to find work opportunities?
Dr. Christina Fisanick: Although employers prior to COVID-19 knew that remote work was not only possible, but in some cases even more productive than in the traditional workplace, the pandemic has reinforced the idea that employees can work from anywhere in the world. While this gives graduates the potential to work globally in a way that was never possible before, it also means that English majors in the US are now competing in a worldwide marketplace against graduates from universities, not just in their region or country, but from around the globe. It is both exciting and intimidating, and we must prepare our graduates to meet the demands of this ever-expanding job market.
How do you envision technology impacting Technical Editors in the next 5 years?
Eileen Buecher: Technology is impacting all career fields with knowledge of various communication and business platforms, social media, and ways to network online in the future.
What general advice would you give to a Technical Editor?
Thomas Reynolds: I think there will be a lasting impact of this pandemic on graduates. The nature of the field is that others in the industry (scientists, engineers, for ex.) often take on tech writing and communication tasks in tight economic conditions, or even just as a matter of a particular culture in a particular business. However, the field of technical communication has been predicted to have a strong future (see Bureau of Labor Statistics, which predicts growth in jobs in this field).
Technical writing and communication require that students are comfortable with technology and communication and that they adapt to changing situations. I think there are also opportunities for savvy graduates who can offer certain skills and experiences that are unique to the changing situation. This field has a long history of resilience for its graduates seeking jobs in tough circumstances.
What Technical Editor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Thomas Reynolds: Technical writing and communication can span many fields. However, there are specific fields that are especially open to technical communication, such as information technology and computer software (technical documentation, for example), as well as medical and health fields. Many of our graduates work for companies that involve computer technology, such as software companies and content management for web consulting firms. In addition, many of our graduates work in biomedical companies that require technical and global documentation of medical devices.
I can't say that I know of a sure bet, but places that deal with medical technology, healthcare, and related fields are probably going to need people well-trained to communicate specialized knowledge to a variety of audiences and in a variety of ways. Telemedicine seems to have gained a more permanent stronghold in the healthcare system, and I imagine that the various communication channels involved in this new way of practicing medicine will open opportunities for well-trained graduates, such as ours who are willing to be pioneers in this area.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Technical Editors?
Thomas Reynolds: Technology is constantly changing, and the pandemic has put a wrinkle on innovations that will have an impact on the field of TWC. Yet technical writing and communication have always involved changing technologies -- it is one of the hallmarks of the field. In addition, remote work is common in technical communication, and many scholars have written about the phenomenon, including global virtual teams and distributed workplaces. In any case, technical writers and communicators learn to think about the intersection of technology with the audience.
I think that traditional notions of communicationm such as establishing a friendly, businesslike ethos and considering the very real material circumstances of audiences, will remain uppermost as graduates adapt to the technological changes. Part of this work will also involve recognizing and working to improve social injustices that employers are increasingly in need of addressing. New technologies that emerge will also be part of the landscape for graduates, and they will be eager to learn these new tools.
Sarah Bell
Senior Associate Director, CounselingBucknell University
Center for Career Advancement
How do you envision technology impacting Technical Editors in the next 5 years?
Sarah Bell: As mentioned in #2, English majors go into many fields, and technology is affecting most of them now. We will likely always need creators, editors, and researchers of content, which will certainly make English majors useful in a variety of fields, due to (or in spite of) the technology advances. Experience in learning and utilizing a variety of software, platforms, and social media tools will only enhance their ability to complete their work in an effective and efficient manner in a variety of work settings.
Cristina Calhoon
Senior Career Instructor, Undergraduate AdvisorUniversity of Oregon
Department of Classics
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Technical Editors?
Cristina Calhoon: Even before the pandemic, Classics-and the Humanities in general-had been coping with existential threats arising from the grafting of business models onto higher education. Administrators' exaggerated emphasis on metrics, a widespread mentality privileging "practical" skills over a more comprehensive education, and the prohibitive cost of college had forced Classics to adapt to changes.
Mergers with other departments and language programs, the fostering of distance learning and digital competence, curricula driven by large-enrollment courses in classics in English translation allowed some Classics programs to survive. The pandemic has made us rely more on the distance learning approach, but we still maintain most of our offerings. Some of our graduates are double majors, a solution I recommend when advising students who-dazzled by Classical Mythology or Archeology or other Classics courses-decide to switch from their "practical" major to Classics. Others decide to minor in Classics (Latin, Greek or Classical Civilization), because they still see great personal value in pursuing these studies.
Studying Latin or ancient Greek opens one's mind in so many different ways, all beneficial even from a "practical" standpoint: vocabulary skills, memorization, and analytical skills are necessary and transferable to any job. How does one learn to solve problems logically? By learning to organize Latin and Greek linguistic structures that work like jigsaw puzzles, unlike many modern Western languages. English is peppered with words of Latin and Greek origin, and our institutions (democracy, republic, libraries, the foundations of the western legal system, to quote just a few basic ones) are largely based on Greco-Roman ones. All this background knowledge gives our graduates a solid, comprehensive intellectual grounding and an enhanced view of our current predicament within a universal framework.
Bridget Carson
Associate Professor of Developmental EnglishIndependence Community College
History
What general advice would you give to a Technical Editor?
Bridget Carson: Show up. Listen and keep learning. Be a part of the broader community.
I know these seem simple, but they require time. It isn't just about the hours on the clock, although they are that for which you are paid. Go to the meet and greet. Chip into the water cooler fund. Join a softball league, a book club, or a game night. When somebody invites you to a company picnic - go. Join the volunteer opportunities in which the organization participates. Relationships need nurturing so that you can have empathy and resilience during difficult discussions within an organization or when it needs to pull together and get through something.
Our shiny new degrees are just the beginning of what we know. You'll be stepping into situations where people will need your fresh perspective, and you will need their experience. Keep reading, not just things in your content area. This isn't just a "respect your elders" or "know your place" statement. They don't know everything, and neither do you, but they've been there longer.
Be a visible part of the broader community. This is especially important if you choose to work in the Public Sector where people want to see their tax dollars pay people who are invested in their community. Go to the concerts in the park, the local community theater, the parades. Join some organization and chip in. Work the polls, join the park committee, be active in a philanthropic or faith community, show up for events celebrating local history. Support local businesses where you find them in alignment with your values.
Don't do any of this for the show. People can spot a fake-Esse quad videre: to be rather than to seem.