(no subject)

[deckardcanine]

Yesterday my office mate asked whether I wanted to be a copyeditor forever. I said, "I don't know, but I don't see myself taking another job any time soon."

It touched on a nagging feeling that crops up every so often. Sometimes I feel like I should expand my duties, both to maximize my value to the company and to reinforce the security of my position. Some older employees don't know what to call their position anymore. And didn't Heinlein say, "Specialization is for insects"? (Tho I can think of better examples in nature.)

Thing is, editing is one of my greatest strengths and one of the few tasks that I still find pretty fun. Clients and supervisors usually appreciate my thoroughness and efficiency. As long as I continue my willingness and ability to work overtime for short-turnaround projects like on Thursday, I think I'll be able to keep my job for years to come.

I am aware of copyeditors and proofreaders being cut from companies less recession-proof than mine. My dad isn't the only one noticing a huge rise in errors in The Washington Post; some readers have written them about it. But in a way, that makes me feel good. It's the kind of work that people don't think about when it's done well; nice to get a reaffirmation that it matters. Just knowing that I can't be everywhere I'm needed produces a warm feeling.

This afternoon, my mom notified me that Street Sense, a monthly newspaper focused on homeless D.C. residents, is looking for volunteer copyeditors. I emailed the contact right away. Hopefully it's nothing I can't handle on top of a full-time job and a twice-a-week Web comic.

Comments

[ccdesan.livejournal.com]

My experience of you is that you're good at what you do. Enjoying it? Wow, icing on the cake!

[nefaria.livejournal.com]

Bad editors are a constant reminder of how bad their reporters are at spelling and grammar. :)

I wish I enjoyed my job, it's mostly just a paycheck anymore. I'd love to start over with a new career, but starting positions in any other career would be a huge pay cut for me.

[sleepyjohn00.livejournal.com]

When you are comfortable and happy in your job is the best time to look to expand your skills, so you've got a leg up on the next job. It's a lot better than getting the pink slip and THEN trying to boost yourself.

Look for the next step up. Where do copy editors go from there? If I was still doing the job today that I was doing twenty years ago, I would be miserably bored, and paid a lot less ;)