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Job outlook for web editors in the United States
Web editor job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected web editor job growth rate is -5% from 2018-2028.
About -5,500 new jobs for web editors are projected over the next decade.
Web editor salaries have increased 11% for web editors in the last 5 years.
There are over 3,716 web editors currently employed in the United States.
There are 22,697 active web editor job openings in the US.
The average web editor salary is $57,052.
Are web editor jobs in demand?
Web editor job and salary trends over time
Web editor jobs over time
Web editor job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,716 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 3,888 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 4,001 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 3,984 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 4,030 | 0.00% |
Average web editor salary over time
Web editor salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $57,052 | $27.43 | +3.3% |
| 2024 | $55,225 | $26.55 | +3.2% |
| 2023 | $53,524 | $25.73 | +1.2% |
| 2022 | $52,885 | $25.43 | +2.7% |
| 2021 | $51,482 | $24.75 | +2.1% |
Web editor jobs by state
Most common states for web editors
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 317 | 46% |
| 2 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 759 | 9% |
| 3 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 529 | 9% |
| 4 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 582 | 8% |
| 5 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 314 | 8% |
| 6 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 85 | 8% |
| 7 | Vermont | 623,657 | 53 | 8% |
| 8 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 209 | 7% |
| 9 | New York | 19,849,399 | 1,214 | 6% |
| 10 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 108 | 6% |
| 11 | Alaska | 739,795 | 44 | 6% |
| 12 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 37 | 6% |
| 13 | California | 39,536,653 | 1,848 | 5% |
| 14 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 439 | 5% |
| 15 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 393 | 5% |
| 16 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 278 | 5% |
| 17 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 64 | 5% |
| 18 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 56 | 5% |
| 19 | Delaware | 961,939 | 46 | 5% |
| 20 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 158 | 4% |
Most common cities for web editors
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Detroit | 4 | 1% | $52,513 |
| 2 | San Antonio | 1 | 0% | $51,800 |
Web Editor job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of web editor experts
California State University - Sacramento
The University of Findlay
Western Kentucky University
Georgia State University
Montclair State University
New Mexico State University
Metropolitan State University of Denver
American University
Butler University
University of Oregon
University of Colorado at Colorado Springs
Furman University
Truman State University
University of South Alabama
Midland College
University of Kentucky
Southern Illinois University
California State University, Fresno
Wayne State University
University of Pittsburgh
Viola Ardeni
Assistant Professor & Italian Language Area HeadCalifornia State University - Sacramento
Romance Languages, Literatures, And Linguistics
What general advice would you give to a Web Editor?
Viola Ardeni: To recent graduates in any field, I would recommend making sure they are doing two things: 'Ask questions' and 'Show up.' In the Romance languages, literatures, and linguistics field, asking questions may mean asking for a long of informational interviews, even in places where there are no current jobs openings. You never know what you will learn from talking to someone who is working and has your same degree. Asking questions also means to be present, aware, and critical. Showing up may instead mean trying different things. Besides teaching, there is no clear job following degrees in Romance languages etc. (and even 'teaching' includes a variety of jobs), so taking advantage of different opportunities may come in handy.
What Web Editor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Viola Ardeni: The editing of texts produced by others, above all. Being good editors will be crucial. In addition, to the ability to summarize in short, easy bit very large and complex amounts of information, possibly coming from different linguistic sources. Diplomacy seems also increasingly useful, however you interpret it and wherever you stand politically. Because of the world's areas where Romance languages are mainly used, the political issues associated with those areas, and the lack of institutional support for studies in Romance languages, literatures, and linguistics in the United States, the ability of being diplomatic in navigating people, committees, donors, stakeholders, speakers, etc. is and will be important.
What will help Web Editors increase their earning potential?
Viola Ardeni: Negotiate your job offer, even where your position is represented by a labor union (you may negotiate other perks and benefits). I would also recommend considering extremely carefully whether a higher degree in the field (master's or PhD) would enhance your options for a higher salary. The mental, emotional, and financial cost of graduate studies may not make it worth it, if the primary objective is earning more money.
What general advice would you give to a Web Editor?
Amy Rogan: Many think that journalism is dying when in actuality is evolving. There are so many media sites out there that are not actual journalism and yet, our society needs real journalism now more than ever. Misinformation and disinformation spread so quickly, it contaminates the media landscape. But we need journalists willing to build their reputation and their audience so that trained professional journalists drown out the fiction or infotainment.
What Web Editor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Amy Rogan: Journalists do a number of things and no two days look alike. Journalists need to have sound, solid news judgement and know their audience and what their audience needs to know. They pitch stories to their editors, producers, or managers, then they research their story topic, find the appropriate interviews and set those up. Once they complete the interviews and gather all their research they then have to craft a story that captures the readers’ or viewers’ attention and serves the community. Typically, that is just one day of work unless you’re working on a special project. Multimedia skills are in high demand because journalists are on so many platforms these days. You need to know how to write for print, digital, and broadcast. And, if you know how to shoot and edit video as well as write, your name goes to the top of the list.
What will help Web Editors increase their earning potential?
Amy Rogan: People working in journalism probably most dislike the hours and the pay but it’s truly one of the most rewarding fields to work in. It can be stressful but also exciting and challenging. Whether at the local level or a larger stage, it’s truly a service to your community to provide vital information.
What general advice would you give to a Web Editor?
Professor Mac McKerral: Producing quality journalism is not easy. It’s hard work and requires a variety of skills, all of which contribute to quality journalism. The writing, reporting and editing must all be in balance and strong. Anyone can be a journalist these days. But not everyone should. Continue to learn on the job. Find a good mentor/editor and milk that individual for everything he or she can offer. If you want to write about yourself rather than others, seek a different career. Your first job might not be your ideal job, but it will be the ticket to your ideal job. Approach every assignment, regardless of how menial, as if it is the most important story ever. You cannot pick and choose what you want to do well. Anything you report will impact someone. Always remember that. Develop a visceral hate for mistakes. Know what your ethical line in the sand is before you are faced with an ethical conundrum. Understanding where you stand before making ethical decisions will enhance your chances of making the right choice.
What will help Web Editors increase their earning potential?
Professor Mac McKerral: Produce quality work for student publications while in school. Do multiple internships. Hold onto and use what you are taught in school. Be capable of doing anything needed: A/V news gathering and editing; visual work; editing; basic design. Be self-motivated and take initiative. Show a wiliness to learn.
What general advice would you give to a Web Editor?
Helen Cauley Ph.D.: The best way is to show you already have experience, and the employer won’t need to train you. An applicant who arrives ready to hit the ground running stands a better chance of getting the job and the top salary over someone who has never been published, taken a photo, put together a video story or – most important! – proved they can meet a deadline under pressure.
What Web Editor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Helen Cauley Ph.D.: The need for people who can tell accurate, engrossing stories in a variety of media is increasing. That means being able to write concisely, speak with authority and take photos/video/sound that engage an audience. Don’t expect to have a camera crew or editor at your elbow. The more proficient you can be in mastering those tasks, the more valuable you will be.
Associate Professor Thomas Franklin
Associate Professor, Multimedia JournalismMontclair State University
Radio, Television, And Digital Communication
What general advice would you give to a Web Editor?
Associate Professor Thomas Franklin: In the media industry, making substantial income right from the start can be particularly challenging. However, by cultivating a strong network, seeking guidance from mentors and sources, and securing top internships, you can enhance your prospects of landing a position at a solid media outlet, where earning potential may be greater. I believe strongly in having several side hustles at all times. By maintaining side hustles, it can provide supplementary income and also be a way to nurture your passion if your main gig is not doing it for you. For early career professionals, I advocate prioritizing skill development and pursuing your passions, rather than fixating solely on monetary gain. Instead of focusing on immediate financial rewards, concentrate on gaining valuable experience and recognition for your work. While this may require patience, it ultimately lays a solid foundation for long-term success. In the grand scheme of things, prioritizing experience and long-term growth over immediate financial gain is solid advice when trying to build a sustainable career in the media industry.
What will help Web Editors increase their earning potential?
Darren Phillips M.A.: Maximizing salary potential as a media professional starts with everything I’ve already mentioned. Journalists and even PR and advertising professionals must be extremely well informed on a broad range of topics. This starts with reading and just being a voracious media consumer. This also requires one to think critically, to consume media from disparate sources, to not shy away from contrarian viewpoints, and to work hard and in good faith to synthesize information responsibly. This ties in with maintaining strict allegiance to industry best practices including media ethics. Reputation is everything. Make sure your employers, prospective employers, and clients all understand and appreciate your professional integrity and just your commitment to truth and accuracy. Moreover, embrace change, lean into technological change, and become a bit of a techno geek. Work hard making contacts and building a professional network. Work hard, generally. Hard work goes a long way in any vocation. Beyond that, attend industry conferences, pay close attention to your online presence, curate your social media profiles carefully and put some real time and thought into things like your LinkedIn profile and online portfolio. Lastly, don’t be put off by rejection. Rejection comes with the territory in any competitive career field. Believe in yourself, stay positive, stay open minded, learn all you can, read like crazy, keep grinding, and success will follow eventually.
What Web Editor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Alfredo Sanchez ACUE: Students will need to become more digital and Social Media savvy. As digital platforms continue to reshape how audiences consume news and information, digital and social media proficiency will be increasingly crucial. However, Multimedia Storytelling must be a cornerstone of our industry. Integrating multimedia elements such as video, audio, graphics, and interactive elements will become more prevalent in broadcast journalism. Professionals who can tell compelling stories using a combination of multimedia formats will be in high demand. I always encourage students to enroll in Data Visualization courses. The ability to extract meaningful insights from data and present them visually engagingly will help broadcasters provide deeper insights and context to their stories. We must remember Mobile Journalism (MoJo). Using your mobile devices to capture, edit, and publish news content will become a standard for journalists. Last but not least, journalists must build meaningful connections with audiences through interactive storytelling, live chats, audience polls, and user-generated content will become increasingly important. Broadcasters who can foster active engagement and dialogue with their audience will be able to cultivate loyal viewership and build community around their content.
Assistant Amy Eisman
Assistant ProfessorAmerican University
Arts, Entertainment, And Media Management
What general advice would you give to a Web Editor?
Assistant Amy Eisman: One skill is easy: be flexible. The technology is changing at lightning speed. At the moment, it helps to be strong at data journalism and understanding emergent technology, such as AI. Topic areas of interest include climate coverage, health and education. It also helps to be a great team player; the speed of news means you rarely work alone. Overall, make sure you embrace the basics in the field: accuracy, fairness, transparency, independence and accountability. Be a solid writer and an even better editor and producer. No one can predict what is next for technology. Employers therefore will look for people who uphold the values of the past, are enthusiastic about the present and are curious about the future.
What will help Web Editors increase their earning potential?
Joseph Valenzano III: In the developing field of journalism some classic skills will never cease to be important, but new skills will also become more essential. Writing and the ability to edit your own work will always be crucial to a journalist, as will fact-checking and copyediting. Clean, accurate, engaging writing and the ability to interview and engage with sources and stories will always be the coin of the realm. That said, more and more journalists need to be well versed in multimedia skills and social media. Writing in these formats is different than writing in column spaces for a paper, and so learning how to translate stories to these media is becoming a skill that separates good journalists from great ones. Additionally, video skills such as editing and shooting for short formats is also becoming more important as journalists are often asked to do most, if not all, of the tasks associated with producing a video story.
What Web Editor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Damian Radcliffe: Negotiate. Ask for more money. If that’s not forthcoming, can you negotiate a training budget, more PTO, flexible working hours or the ability to WFH a few days a week? Your negotiating position is often at its strongest when you start in a role and not enough people realize that.
What general advice would you give to a Web Editor?
Ann Amicucci Ph.D.: You can maximize your earning potential at the start of your career by gaining diverse experience. Seek internship opportunities that complement but don't repeat what you're learning in college so you can show employers how your internship stretched what you're able to do. If you haven't graduated yet, look for classes that will enhance the type of employee you can be. For example, adding a course in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, cross-cultural communication, interpersonal communication, marketing, or leadership and talking about what you've learned in that course in an interview will show employers that you're thinking broadly about what it means to write and communicate effectively in a workplace.
What Web Editor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Ann Amicucci Ph.D.: As we continue to face a glut of digital information in our daily lives, the ability to connect with an audience in meaningful ways through writing will become increasingly important. No matter what field you work in, you'll have a message to get across to someone else. Your English degree will help you consider the humanity of that message: Who is on the receiving end? What state of mind are they in when they're considering what you have to say? What state of mind do you hope to put them in? Being a compassionate and conscientious communicator who thinks critically about how a message comes across will help you stand out in the coming years of information overload.
What will help Web Editors increase their earning potential?
Ann Amicucci Ph.D.: A college degree opens so many doors, so keep an open mind about the career paths you can pursue with a degree in English. Say you're interested in a career in publishing. Think broadly about the types of publishing companies you apply to: in addition to those that publish novels or nonfiction books you read, expand your search to include textbook publishers, religious publishers, and publishers of children's books. Also, consider what other companies would give you experience that will make you competitive for a publishing job. You might apply to grant writing jobs or social media management positions and use that writing experience as a stepping stone into the publishing world. Make sure to visit your college's career center for advice on where to look for job openings.
Professor Margaret Oakes
Professor of EnglishFurman University
English Language And Literature
What general advice would you give to a Web Editor?
Professor Margaret Oakes: Understand that you should be looking at a salary mid-career, not right now. And look at the possibility for promotion in your place of work - a small family business will not be able to or be interested in promoting you to a leadership position, so think about if you will need to move up or out.
What will help Web Editors increase their earning potential?
Professor Margaret Oakes: Our graduates have such a variety of careers with an English major that this is hard to answer. But perhaps this is the answer - English majors have such widely applicable skills that they need to be alert to how they can be applied almost anywhere, and be prepared to sell their skills to a potential employer.
What Web Editor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Professor Margaret Oakes: The ability to read carefully and analytically. This is a skill that has declined in the past couple of decades as people obtain more information visually - but a visual presentation cannot carry the amount of detail that written language can, and carelessness in the use of language causes a world of problems in every area of human life (law, medicine, politics, etc.).
What general advice would you give to a Web Editor?
Dr. Adam Davis: Some patience. The news gets clicks and eyeballs with doom and gloom, but the fact is, people in fields other than professional credentials (nursing, CPA) have always spent a year or two driving cabs and waiting tables. Be persistent, work networks and connections. An English degree is not a career credential; grads tend to teaching, writing/editing/publishing, but also get hired into a wide variety of firms that have use for people who can think about texts and what they mean and make persuasive cases for how to understand a given fact pattern - that's what makes it such a good preparation for law school.
What Web Editor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Adam Davis: At just this moment, getting a living wage is the priority, rather than maximizing salary. You need to get some experience that will let you move outward and upward from that first position. Your goal is a full-time position with bennies, one that uses your gifts. In letters of application and in interviews (REHEARSE for those) -- remember to talk about your hard skills and soft skills - prospective employers are not going to ask. Individualize the application for each job you really want, and think hard about what's most useful to that employer - talk about their needs, rather than why the position would serve your needs and interests. Have a story ready that illustrates how you made use of each trait you're claiming.
What will help Web Editors increase their earning potential?
Dr. Adam Davis: Work with emergent media; learn how to work words beyond writing: podcasts & video, web design, social media, blogging. These are skills easily acquired through YouTube and of great interest to employers. AI is not to be feared, but to be understood and used, and employers are going to be interested when you tell them you know how to make it work for them.
What general advice would you give to a Web Editor?
Doris Frye: Employers consistently tell us that effective communication is both a skill in high demand and one that is often lacking in employees. English majors enter the workforce with exceptional communication and critical thinking skills that are already valued. With the explosion of A.I., these skills will become even more important; English majors' facility with language will become all the more essential. The tools themselves require advanced communication skills; there are already jobs related to A.I. writing. Significantly, while those tools can be useful in a variety of ways, there are limits when it comes to voice, originality, accuracy, and even clarity. The ability to adapt and respond to these AI tools will be essential going forward for those with English degrees.
What Web Editor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Doris Frye: Employers consistently tell us that effective communication is both a skill in high demand and one that is often lacking in employees. English majors enter the workforce with exceptional communication and critical thinking skills that are already valued. With the explosion of A.I., these skills will become even more important; English majors' facility with language will become all the more essential. The ability to adapt and respond to A.I. tools will be essential going forward for those with English degrees.
What will help Web Editors increase their earning potential?
Doris Frye: An English degree is exceptionally versatile. While some will go into education, many fields value this degree. When looking for jobs, focus on searching based on employers looking for potential employees with skills in communication, research, and critical thinking rather than just those seeking an English degree. The opportunities are extremely wide: the government, advertising companies, law firms, and almost any industry that requires technical writing skills will all value a degree in English.
Stacey Hewitt
Communications CoordinatorMidland College
What skills stand out on Web Editor resumes?
Stacey Hewitt: The skill that stands out on Multimedia Journalist's resume is the ability to wear many hats/handle multiple responsibilities. Gone are the days where TV news reporters had photogs that took the video for them, and they just asked the questions. Journalists are doing everything all by themselves. I'm talking - you are responsible for coming up with your own story ideas/pitches, going live on Facebook before news shows, editing a story for news shows, cutting a different version for the web, and maybe even writing a print version for a newspaper partner. Showcase all your experiences, especially web and video editing experience, as everything is becoming more visual on video platforms. Even if you aren't responsible for web or editing in your current job, try to dabble in it so you can put it on your resume. Or go back to school and take a class in video and video editing.
What soft skills should all Web Editors possess?
Stacey Hewitt: Communication is obviously a very important soft skill. You will be communicating on various levels with your coworkers, newsmakers, interviewees, and viewers, and each is a slightly nuanced brand of communication. I would brand your communication with viewers as a very different kind of communication. It's more tease-worthy and casual as opposed to a straightforward, formal English essay. But you must know what information you are after and how to write and spell correctly when formally requesting interviews with high-profile newsmakers.
Problem-solving is another important soft skill. As you probably already know, these days, technology malfunctions all the time. You must have workarounds and think on your feet when something happens because deadlines are still deadlines.
Multimedia Journalists also must be creative. These days storytelling has become an art. Sometimes the same old way of telling a story is okay, but sometimes taking a chance and doing something different can really catch on and stand out. For example, if you start a Facebook poll on a story you did about mask-wearing, you could really help take it to new heights. You must be willing to try new things and ultimately, sometimes, fail.
Not everyone will like you or your stories, so multimedia journalists have to have thick skin. Your boss and your viewers will have opinions, and they aren't always going to be nice. Try to incorporate some stuff sometimes and sometimes stick to your guns.
Finally, be a mega-media consumer yourself. You need to know how to repurpose the stuff you do for many different platforms and different things (lengths) work on each. The best way to know what works is to have a healthy diet of media yourself. This soft skill is what intro communications classes like Midland College's COMM 1307 Introduction to mass communications do best. Classes like this can encourage students to become critical media consumers by looking at the development and current trends of print media, broadcasting, advertising, and public relations.
Joshua Abboud Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Director of Bachelor of Liberal StudiesUniversity of Kentucky
Writing, Rhetoric, and Digital Studies
What skills stand out on Web Editor resumes?
Joshua Abboud Ph.D.: I think that skills that stand out on resumes are going to be those that make you unique. In other words, skills that you have been able to make your own and that blur the boundary between technical and soft skills. For example, every content writer needs to be able to have solid research abilities. However, the writer who can leverage different research sources will adapt to the various jobs a content writer may be asked to do. So, not only do you have experience with using digital archives to research your topics, but you talk to people or businesses, you go out and show you have an interest in your task beyond getting a job done. Just as the jobs you accept will determine what kind of writing you do, how you approach your jobs will establish your writing brand. That brand is your writing ethos and will give a potential employer an idea of the type of writer you are. That means that originality or creativity might be important, even if they aren't necessarily the kind of skill that immediately comes to mind on resumes. But you should use your resume as a space to tell the story of your writing ethos, your style, your unique approach.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Web Editors?
Joshua Abboud Ph.D.: I mentioned developing unique research skills as an important part of your resume, but to me, it is the single most important hard skill for a content writer. You often won't have a lot of time and will have to start a project from scratch. Moving from general information to more specific sources and knowing how and when to do this will make you stand out as a writer who has important things to say. You have to think of your writing as always persuasive, no matter what you are working on. You are telling a story, and you have a specific audience that needs to hear that story. The more specific you can make that story, the better your information and the more unique your approach to the topic will be. Make your writing stand out.
The second is probably the ability to edit your work. I teach many students who tell me they aren't very good at editing their own work. Most likely, it is because they don't like to read their own work. Become a fan of writing; what I mean by that is read writing for the writing itself. Develop a sense for the style of other writers, but most of all, enjoy your own writing. Read your own writing, silently and out loud. Listen to how it sounds, your word choices, your rhythm, the cadence. When something sounds off, you will be able to revise it. Editing does not just mean typos or grammar mechanics (although, it is definitely that as well). This all leads back to developing your own style and brand of writing.
What soft skills should all Web Editors possess?
Joshua Abboud Ph.D.: A maintained and active social media presence will publicly demonstrate your writing abilities while also helping you to connect with other writers and job opportunities. As a writer, you always want to be writing, and Twitter is writing, Instagram is writing, etc. They can also be places to announce your current projects. You can only write so much on a resume, but social media allows you to amplify your abilities and keep a record of your work.
In addition to developing your writing ethos, you will have to have a good sense of time management and the ability to focus. You will more than likely be working on several projects simultaneously, with different due dates and requirements. Keeping them all straight and delivering your work on time is critical to acquiring projects in the future. We don't all have the same organizational methods, so you need to know how you work and what workflows are best for you. Then you will need to fine-tune those methods, live with them, make them part of you so that they become part of that writing style you are honing. Writing doesn't always come easy and fast, so the more you can develop a strong sense of organizational skills that are adaptable to the different projects you work on, the more you can manage the requirements of different jobs.
What skills will help Web Editors earn the most?
Joshua Abboud Ph.D.: This is a difficult question to answer in terms of writing, and specifically content writing. More than skills, the amount of money you make will be determined by the projects you are offered. And the projects you are offered will be determined by the kind of writing ethos you develop. You have some control over that with your own approaches to the craft of writing: what kinds of hardened soft skills can you acquire and make your own? For example, can you learn how to use Adobe Indesign? You may not use it for every job, but it might come in handy to create something that other writers may not have thought of just using Microsoft Word. This can give you a creative and innovative way to complete a job that helps form your unique style as a writer. How can you use your understanding of Search engine optimization to help you do research in a way that leads you to sources that are little used or even forgotten, perhaps? The more you can demonstrate that unique approach and show it off on social media and even underscore it in your past projects, the more likely you will build a reputation in demand. And you will definitely meet other writers along the way who could help you in the future. Don't underestimate the power of networking, in-person and online.
Antonio Martinez
Associate Professor of Photography/Intermedia Arts, Faculty Advisor, Movie Camera Movement (MCM) and Photogenesis, Editor, Lux MagazineSouthern Illinois University
School of Art and Design
What soft skills should all Web Editors possess?
Antonio Martinez: Having strong organizational skills is essential, from organizing files and folders to properly identifying and locating exported assets and keywords. With the high volume and variety of photos, from subject matter to stylistic approaches and genre, it's imperative that a photo editor can easily locate, share, and publish photos in a timely manner.
Knowing how to receive and give feedback in a respectful tone and with sincerity. The attitude in our group and individual critique sessions at SIU is unique. I ask our students to imagine themselves as medical surgeons who are about to operate on a "patient, "and in our situation, the "patient" is the photo that they evaluate. Judgment is sidelined during this imagined role-playing game, while the desire to offer helpful guidance and assessment to improve a photo is increased. It helps students sharpen their interpersonal skills and to communicate more sharply and effectively, versus just being nice with feedback.
Betsy Hays
ChairCalifornia State University, Fresno
Department of Media, Communications and Journalism
What Web Editor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Betsy Hays: Study the successes and failures of others so you can learn best practices based on real life. And practice being a content creator. Write, take photos, create graphics, produce videos - practice sharing information and telling stories in a myriad of ways. And when you have some good stuff, share it publicly (blog, YouTube channel, social media, podcast, etc.) to learn what people respond to. And monitor trends. There are also a number of free or low-cost certifications that you can obtain as well. And one more - volunteer for a cause you believe in to make the world a better place while learning new skills.
What's a day at work look like for a Web Editor?
Dr. Stine Eckert Ph.D.: Very different depending on the many different work places that graduates may be able to enter in various media and communication fields and across different companies during pandemic conditions. Benefits and work conditions are still largely dependent on specific employers and how they handle the pandemic conditions in each state in the U.S. including employers' support for home office in combination with helping employees handling care responsibilities, which disproportionately disadvantage women. It currently looks like the pandemic is going to be with us in media and communication fields in the near and mid-term future and its ebbs and flows will frame the range of work conditions that employers in the U.S. will make available to their employees. The conflict of care responsibilities and working from home will remain a big tension, especially for women employees who shoulder a disproportionate amount of household and care work, meaning no day may look exactly the same.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Web Editors?
Gayle Rogers: Definitely. First-year students had the strangest introduction to college one could imagine-nothing like what "college" is supposed to be. And they are still living it, with remote classes, social distancing, and few of the in-person bonding experiences that we associate with college as a whole. That will never be erased from their memories. Students who just graduated or are graduating this spring, on the other hand, are taking with them those distinct experiences into the workplace, graduate or professional schools-wherever life takes them. (It pains many of us, as teachers and administrators, that they did not have the robust graduation celebration that we all wanted them to have.) They will remember how their college experience was shaped by the pandemic, of course, but they will also have bonded with one another in uniquely difficult ways.
What technical skills for a Web Editor stand out to employers?
Gayle Rogers: Many employers tell me that they seek graduates who can bridge the stereotypical-yet very real-divide in the technical world between the more rote elements of coding and the more creative elements of narrative that departments like my own (English) have traditionally taught. Creative coding and the ability to mesh what computer scientists and poets do-employers have consistently told me that there is great promise in that, now and going forward.