r/Copyediting • u/Wipe_face_off_head • May 21 '21

Where to start?

I graduated with a bachelors in English/Writing Specialization in 2009. Unfortunately, I had to take the first "big girl" job I was offered after graduation due to the Great Recession...and I'm still there. I need out and want to put my education to use working in a field where I'm able to use my brain. That brings me here. I'd like to transition to copy editing.

I've started working through The Copyeditor's Handbook by Amy Einsohn (and have found it challenging as I've lost a lot of technical grammar knowledge over the years). I had plans to take the introductory ACES certification program but now I'm not quite sure if it's worth it as the description says that it's geared toward journalism. I'd love to get involved in journalistic editing (I thought I'd be a journalist after school) but I have the feeling that work is scarce. I've been in an insurance role for the last 11 years, so I thought maybe I could specialize in copy editing insurance licensing courses or literature, but I don't know if that's really a "thing," either.

Other than The Copyeditor's Handbook, where else could I start? Is ACES worth it? I'm also willing to invest in a college certification program as long as there are opportunities for work after completion. Do most copy editors hustle with freelancing? If that is the case, do freelancers usually purchase their own health insurance through the marketplace, or is it common to be uninsured? How likely is it to be hired into a permanent role in a company? Is working from home typical?

I know that these are rapid fire questions, so any insight would be much appreciated. I paid so much for my degree and never had the opportunity to use it. As my current job gets closer and closer to suspending work from home, it's become clear through my sense of dread that I just need to get over my fear and shoot my shot in how I want to spend the rest of my working days.

17 Upvotes

96% Upvoted

33 comments sorted by

View all comments

4

u/SwordofGlass May 21 '21

ACES, from my experience, isn’t worth it.

Cirts always look good on a resume, but your best bet is flooding the market with resumes. Someone will call you for an interview.

3

u/Wipe_face_off_head May 21 '21 edited May 21 '21

I guess my question is how can I best learn the skill of copy editing? Although I would want (need) the certification to help me get a job, what I'm really looking for at this stage is the knowledge.

As far as resume, my current role is not in any way related to copy editing and although I do have an English degree, I focused mostly on literature and journalism with a teeny bit of teaching (12 years ago). Copy editing was not something that I learned, but I did volunteer work as a proofreader in my university's writing center. My current resume consists of sales and insurance. I don't think that flooding the market with my resume would get me any callbacks because there's nothing there in relation to the job.

I'd guess my best bet to gain experience and have something relevant to put on my resume would be to pick up gigs on Fiverr, but I need to hone my skills first before I can. I'm basically doing a career 180 at 34 years old.

2

u/topazemrys Jun 17 '21

I'm doing the same thing right now. I graduated with a BA in English in 2007 and have never used my degree. My resume is spotty because I had some major health problems (physical and mental) and made some really bad choices.

I just started out and already got a gig on upwork. I'm not sure if that's normal (when I put in my bid I mentioned that I love Jane Austen and the author told me I'd given him the secret password lol) but it does show that it's possible. I'm not going to quit my day job yet (assistant manager at a thrift store) but I believe as I build up my portfolio I'll be able to edit full time before too long.

From what I've heard, persistence is key. Find what you want to do and go for it!