Publishing students must be ready to integrate traditional and new media
because the industry is changing fast these days. It's not just about words
on paper anymore -- reading has gone digital! Students must learn about
publishing e-books, periodicals, websites, blogs, podcasts, mobile extensions
and more.
"We are in the midst of the technological age, and new technologies are
impacting all aspects of publishing.
"What has worked in the past is now being challenged and new methods of
doing business, from acquiring books to producing a magazine, are being developed
and utilized," says Jane Kinney-Denning. She's a publishing professor at PACE
University in New York City. It offers a master of science degree in publishing.
Students who want to jump right in can find college programs in publishing. Most
of these programs are one or two years and focus on the technical side of
publishing.
"Grads have gone on to create and produce their own magazines, doing everything
from the business plan, writing, editing, designing, preparing material for
printing, attending the press check, creating interactive websites in conjunction
with the print product, and promoting/marketing the publication," says Giselle
Lemay.
Lemay is the publishing program coordinator at a college. The college offers
a two-year diploma program condensed into an intense 12 months.
The competition for publishing program seats varies greatly from program
to program. Most applicants to publishing courses have already completed
some post-secondary education. Many publishing programs are offered at
the graduate level, so you must get an undergraduate degree first.
Some programs focus on the business and theoretical side of the publishing
world. Rowly Lorimer is the director of such a program.
"Students leave the program with an understanding of business practice
as well as the dramatic changes that technology is bringing to publishing,"
says Lorimer. Part of publishing is learning how to manufacture and market
a product -- and the product is information.
Joyce Meskis says publishing "is the vehicle that carries the history,
the present and the future of our society." Meskis is the director of
the Publishing Institute at the University of Denver. It offers a full-time,
four-week, graduate-level program for professionals in publishing.
"Publishing is among the most important cultural and business endeavors
that an individual can choose for his or her life's work," she says. "It
is engaging in the business of ideas, all kinds of ideas for all kinds of
interests. That makes it exciting, intellectually stimulating and fulfilling."
Being a lifelong learner is part of the publishing business, especially
in the digital age. Students can prepare for publishing programs by learning
about computer software, graphic design, web design and writing.
"Fine tuning your writing skills, developing an understanding of the process
of producing a published work and meeting deadlines would all give you some
good experience that you can carry with you to college and beyond," says Kinney-Denning.
Future publishers should pay attention in English class. Literature,
writing and communication skills are essential background to work in the field
of publishing.
"Extracurricular activities in journalism, such as working on the school
yearbook and newspaper are helpful. The world of publishing encompasses many
fields of endeavor and benefits from individuals who are interested and engaged
in many different kinds of activities, including, of course, a lot of reading,"
says Meskis.
Textbooks are an additional cost. Depending on your program, you may need
to budget extra for graphics supplies, computer lab fees, software, special
events or production expenses.
Links
Occupational Outlook Handbook
For more information related to Publishing see: Publishing Industries
(except Internet)
IPL KidSpace
Check out the Reading Zone
World of Reading
You can read reviews written by other kids and write your own
book reviews
"On-Lion" for Kids
New York Public Library offers lots of cool stuff online for
kids
Publishers Weekly Online
An industry magazine
Editor&Publisher.com
"America's oldest journal covering the newspaper industry"