Additional Information
An editor generally needs a college or university degree. Although some
employers look for a broad liberal arts background, most prefer degrees in
communications, journalism or English. A degree in fashion design or fashion
merchandising will help.
A well-rounded background also helps. Former fashion editor Lawrence Thompson
has studied psychology and marketing, and has a degree in advertising and
communications.
Fashion editor Lisa Tant's background helped her to get where she wanted
to go. "I found that my background of writing, business sense and style helped
my career speed along," she says.
Those with good writing skills and a love of fashion may be able to get
into the career by starting as a research assistant, editorial assistant or
trainee.
Those in the field tell young people to get whatever experience they can.
Working at high school and college newspapers and literary magazines, as well
as radio and television stations, can provide valuable practical experience.
Many magazines, newspapers and broadcast stations have internships for
students.
"Work for free. Just because it is a job doesn't mean you have to get paid.
Experience is of the utmost importance. Get it however you can," says Thompson.
Christopher Saunders is the assistant to the style department at a newspaper.
He says to start gathering resources and creating contacts as early as high
school.
"Get in contact with different magazines, people that might be in the industry.
Talk, make phone calls, fax, try to get some samples of different periodicals
that come out and start to create a library," he says.
"You've got to go in there and do it because you never know who you might
run into that might be receptive to your ideas -- and that's how things are
made."