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Editorial Writer, Newspapers & Magazines

Occupation Information table
Overview: Editorial writers investigate and research current topics about which there is a public debate or confusion such as in politics, taxes, new laws, war, abortion, etc. They write and publish their options in newspapers and magazines to mold public opinion.
Duties: Attend conferences & events regarding issues & topics that are currently of concern to readers of a newspaper or a magazine. They gather and interpret facts and information for an issue.

Write his/her personal views and opinions for publication in an attempt to sway public opinion in a given direction. Issues include taxes, elections, new laws, foreign governments, etc.

They conduct interviews with key persons who represent different sides of an issue to understand their arguments for or against an action. They use their quotes in writing an editorial.

May design and conduct small scale opinion surveys of readers or other groups of persons relevant to the issues being researched. They interpret and use the survey results in published writings.
Degree(s): A.A. Liberal Arts and Sciences 
A.S. Liberal Arts and Sciences (Mathematics and Science) 
Job Outlook: Employment in this field is projected to grow 2% to 4% from 2018 to 2028, which is slightly slower than the average projected growth for all occupations.
Salary Range (National Average): $28,000 to $32,000
Education Level: Typically, a Bachelor’s Degree from a 4-year college (some are 5 years) is required to be considered for this occupation.
Additional Training/Education: Most employers prefer to hire editorial writers with a bachelor's degree in communications, journalism or English and with a broad liberal arts background. For those who deal with technical or specialized topics, a background in that field--computers, business, law politics, etc. is essential.
Recommended Skills:
  • Painting, drawing, crafting, sculpting and creative designing.
  • Paying attention to what other people are saying, and taking time to understand the points being made.
  • Allocating and budgeting your time for different tasks so that things get done when needed.
  • Ability to identify a problem, review related information, develop and evaluate options, and implement a solution.
  • The ability to understand complex written paragraphs, instructions, or reports.
  • Using logic to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
  • Composing and communicating your ideas in written form.
Recommended Values:
  • Having a routine job where the duties are very predictable and not likely to change over a long period of time.
  • Persuading and influencing others to change their attitudes, behavior, and/or opinions.
 

* National data collected by the Department of Labor in 2014 with projections through 2024. For New York green job information .

* For New York salary data information .

* For New York green job information .

Understanding acquiring positions in this field may be enhanced through continuing academic study (i.e. earning a baccalaureate or a master's degree) and/or work experience in the field, Queensborough Community College has established transfer agreements with other institutions for students who wish to further pursue their educational goals. Students are highly encouraged to meet with one of our Career Services to fully understand the opportunities available through study in their degree program.