Digital Job Outlook: Media Professionals Speak about Jobs in the Publishing Industry

Media Professionals Speak about Jobs in the Publishing Industry

Joanna, Lead Technical Writer, Amazon’s Consumer Web Site in Seattle

I have the unique opportunity to work directly with software developers to understand the needs of our customers and to write operations documentation to improve the overall customer experience. But, unlike at many other companies at which I have worked, here at Amazon, I am also encouraged to develop new, innovative ways of supporting our customer. My job is extremely fulfilling, as I know that my contributions, and opinions, have significant impact on the end user.

Jeremy Soldevilla, Publisher and Founder, Christopher Matthews Publishing

Build a platform for yourself.

  • If you can, start before you graduate school. Are you a writer? Start a blog showcasing your writing. Post things regularly, no less than once a week. Include reviews of books. Join as many discussion groups on LinkedIn, Goodreads, Facebook, Twitter, and anywhere else that relates to writing and publishing.
  • Join Guru.com as an editor.
  • Create a Web site dedicated to book reviews—yours and/or other’s reviews.
  • Got Web design skills? Create a great Web site and focus the marketing of your design skills to self-publishers.
  • Got art design skills? Create a Web site showcasing your portfolio and create some mock book covers.
  • There is plenty of low-cost and free software available to format books and convert books to e-books. Get some, learn it, and offer your services online and through online author discussion groups.

Carolyn Zimatore, Talent Acquisition Manager, HarperCollins Publishers

Publishing internship experience is ideal, of course, but I do know that’s not attainable for all. While in school, participate in extracurricular activities relating to publishing, like your school newspaper or literary magazine—that looks great on a résumé. If you are able to take courses on copyediting or anything digital—go for it! Also, one of the most valuable experiences you can have is to work at a bookstore.

Gina Gagliano, Marketing/Publicity Manager, First Second Books

You know when is a good time to be applying for an internship? . . . Applying at the beginning of the previous season is your best bet—which means September for winter/spring internships, January for summer internships, and May/June for fall internships. If you don’t stick the timing on these things, you could be the best-ever intern possibility we’ve seen in our lives, but we’re sorry—we’ve given the job to someone else already.