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Newspaper Editor

Occupation Information table
Overview: Newspaper editors plan the layout of all stories, ads, photos and graphics for each newspaper edition. They determine the placement of each story based on their evaluation of story importance and inter-relationships. They author headlines and critique stories based on quality.
Duties: They give individual reporters and photographers assignments requiring that they cover a newsworthy event, situation or topic.

They critique and edit stories written by reporters and decide which stories and photographs to include in the various newspaper's editions and their location in the newspaper.

They write headlines and subtitles for stories and photographs to capture readers' attention to the story.

They evaluate readers' reactions to stories by studying "letters to the editor" and by monitoring volume of newspaper sales.
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 decline by 2% or more from 2018 to 2028. For comparison, the average growth rate for all occupations over the same time period is projected to be 5% to 8%.
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 new graduates with a bachelor's degree in communications, journalism or English and with a broad liberal arts background. For those who deal with technically specialized topics, a background in that field--technology, business, politics, etc. is essential.
Recommended Skills:
  • Painting, drawing, crafting, sculpting and creative designing.
  • Composing and communicating your ideas in written form.
  • Weighing out the options in a situation or a problem and logically choosing the best course of action.
  • Allocating and budgeting your time for different tasks so that things get done when needed.
  • Paying attention to what other people are saying, and taking time to understand the points being made.
  • Being aware of the reactions of others, and understanding why they react the way they do.
  • The ability to understand complex written paragraphs, instructions, or reports.
  • Talking, giving speeches, or speaking in a group to convey information, explain ideas, or give instructions.
  • Using logic to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Recommended Values:
  • Persuading and influencing others to change their attitudes, behavior, and/or opinions.
  • Having a routine job where the duties are very predictable and not likely to change over a long period of time.
 

* 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.