Press sub-editor
Press sub-editors are journalists working either as employees of national or local newspapers, magazines or online publications, or as freelancers.
They are responsible for ensuring that the tone, style and layout of final copy matches the publication's house style and suits the target market. The work involves processing all the copy before it is published to ensure that it is grammatically and factually correct and reads well. Sub-editors also lay out the story on the page, write headings and may be involved with overall page design.
Like other journalism roles, sub-editing is demanding and requires constant attention to detail within a fast-paced working environment.
To be a good sub, you must be an all-rounder: you need to know the law and be able to put a story together with speed and style. Depending on the nature of employment and the extent to which production and layout work falls within the sub-editor's remit, tasks typically involve the following:
This is an area of work where maturity is often appreciated. Commonly, people move into sub-editing roles having first gained experience as a reporter.
A degree is not a formal requirement, but it can be difficult to get into the profession without a relevant degree or postgraduate course and/or a vocational qualification. Graduates from a wide range of backgrounds can gain entry on to training courses, but relevant degree subjects include:
However, any degree that develops excellent written communication skills and analytical skills will be an advantage. For later career development, for example on a specialist magazine, your degree subject may be relevant: a science or engineering subject for a technical journal; politics, history or economics for a current affairs magazine or newspapers, etc.
Entry with an HND only is possible, but the reality is that the competitive nature of this industry means graduates and postgraduates are in a far stronger position than those with an HND or other equivalent qualification. Pre-entry experience is crucial, for example via a work-based placement or through voluntary experience with a local paper or student media. The boom in internet publications offers another way to get your work published and develop a portfolio.
The National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ) is respected in the industry and accredits many degree and postgraduate pre-entry courses, so it is worth checking the accreditation status of any course you are considering when making your application.
NCTJ runs the only training courses in the UK specifically for sub-editors. These are a fast-track certificate in sub-editing and a part-time diploma in sub-editing, at The Journalist Works in Brighton. Students will usually need a minimum of two A-levels and most have degrees; but these courses also attract gap-year students or mature applicants without formal qualifications. There are also several accredited newspaper courses which offer an additional certificate in sub-editing.
For many jobs, and certainly to be considered by any of the relevant recruitment agencies, competency with QuarkXPress or InDesign is essential. Having basic Photoshop skills is also an advantage.
As with all roles in journalism, competition is fierce. Selection procedures for courses and for jobs as sub-editors often involve copy-subbing exercises, so it is useful to practise this skill by summarising reports, cutting lengthy articles or simply trying to rewrite something in a more communicative way.
For more information, see work experience and internships and search courses and research.
Sub-editors will often have either completed a course accredited by the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ) before they enter journalism or they will study for an approved course while they are working. It is possible to gain entry to this role without prior training, though previous experience in a relevant setting is a must. Many of the large newspaper groups run in-house training programmes.
The NCTJ lists a range of approved courses, all of which cover the basics of journalism, including the law and the practical skills of journalism such as sub-editing.
Proficiency in sub-editing is gained on the job. Starting with the basics, such as editing out typing errors and spelling mistakes and adjusting word counts, and then moving on to writing headlines and learning to lay out a story on the page.
Newspaper groups may send their sub-editors on a range of in-company or external training courses. These are offered by the NCTJ and other relevant professional bodies. They cover all aspects of the role, including:
Opportunities for advanced IT training may also help sub-editors update their skills and keep up with industry developments.
The most junior post for a sub-editor is that of copy sub, which is simply dealing with the written text. Being given greater responsibility for page design and layout is the next step up. A typical career path for an ambitious and successful sub-editor is:
However, since every publication has only one editor, not every sub is going to achieve, or even aim for, this position. Furthermore, the range of responsibilities each of these roles encompasses can vary significantly between publications. This means that, for example, a former editor may move to a new publication and end up working under a chief sub-editor.
The sub-editing role provides an excellent opportunity to gain an insight into all aspects of journalism, with exposure to writing, design and production skills. Sub-editors with experience often get the opportunity to write features, especially if they have been working on a specific section, such as sport, the arts, business or finance. This is valuable experience for anyone aiming towards a career in writing. Sub-editors could also move into a full-time design and production role.
Yet in some instances the role of the sub-editor is changing. A few newspapers have decided to eliminate this layer of the editorial process as a cost-cutting exercise and instead reporters are expected to write their copy directly onto the page, sub it themselves and write their own headlines. There are also changes with where sub-editing is carried out, with a greater degree of flexibility being offered in many cases. Sometimes it is outsourced to freelancers living miles from the rest of the publication, even abroad, or it may be carried out by employed staff working from different locations, outside of the main office.
The print industry is also in a state of flux, and journalism for the web is a growth area. Here, the sub-editor's ease with technical issues and good writing ability are a useful combination.
Magazines and small newspapers have less clear-cut definitions between journalists, sub-editors and production editors, so a move to a smaller publication can be very useful to develop a real breadth of experience.
Many of the largest newspaper groups own titles all over the country and one way to gain promotion is to apply for more senior posts within your own newspaper group.
Like other journalists, sub-editors can also find employment as press officers for companies or working with public relations (PR) agencies, writing the kind of copy that is likely to be accepted by other media.
Geographic mobility and a willingness to move companies can aid successful career development. The ability to maintain industry contacts and respond quickly to new opportunities is also very useful.
TYpical employers include regional, national and international newspaper and magazine publishing groups, and agencies such as the Press Association . Some smaller independent publications, such as special interest magazines or newspapers, may also employ sub-editors, though entry to these may be even more competitive. See Willings Press Guide or Media UK for details of publications and their owners.
The newspaper industry is witnessing a serious decline in its printed material, however internet publishing and its associated advertising revenue is helping to offset this to some extent. As a result, the industry is evolving and those entering the journalistic profession are finding themselves having to adapt to the changes. Many local newspapers continue to recruit locally even when they have been taken over by a larger group, so it is worth writing directly to editors speculatively. Being prepared to work freelance or on short contracts will increase your chances of finding work. Recruitment agencies in the sector generally find it easy to place experienced and competent sub-editors.
Aquent and Redwood Publishing Recruitment are two leading recruitment agencies specialising in creative roles. The Media Network is a recruitment consultancy specialising in UK journalism and editorial jobs.
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