Industry Profiles
The list of possible career opportunities is numerous and career decision making can be overwhelming. To assist you in launching your career research and broadening your awareness of career opportunities, staff and volunteers at the Career Centre have compiled reliable and relevant information about a variety of industries. You will find detailed information about an industry which will help you recognize the different skills, abilities and knowledge required for a particular role.
Advertising is not marketing. Marketing is not advertising. The distinction between the two industries can be unclear. Individuals often believe advertising and marketing are synonyms and therefore interchangeable; however, the two are quite distinct. Advertising is an aspect of marketing and is conducted in an effort to complement an entire marketing campaign related to a product or service.
Areas of Specialization
Account Manager
Managing sales and the relationship between the advertising agency and the client, account managers network with organizations and clients to draw in more business. They maintain all aspects of the client relationship to encourage client retention and ensure the client is informed on specific advertising issues.
Art Director
Developing the artistic vision or concept for advertisement, art directors supervise graphic designers and communicate the agency’s vision for the client’s advertisement. They are expected to have well-developed graphic design skill and judgement. They oversee the transfer of an advertisement onto media.
Copywriter
Developing the specific textual content, placement and vocabulary for advertisements, copywriters choose words or phrases to be used in advertisements very carefully. They often work in close tandem with the art director. This also involves ensuring copy placement, size and colour are consistent with the overall ad campaign.
Creative Director
Managing advertising campaigns and advertising agency teams, the role involves ensuring a client’s product and campaign strategy is consistent which entails communicating the campaign strategy to a team and supervising the entire project.
Related Avenues
- Brand strategy: Focus on strategically creating a ‘brand’ for a client so the client experiences differentiation in the marketplace.
- Media strategy: People within these roles choose through which venue to deliver advertisement content. It involves negotiating and buying advertisement space.
- Public relations (PR): PR professionals may work in advertising agencies or within any corporate or large not-for-profit environment. They help plan and maintain a particular public image for a client.
Note: In addition to the above unique roles within advertising, professionals also work in information technology, accounting, finance, customer service and administrative support.
Advertising Websites
Organizations have become increasingly aware of the benefits of fostering diverse workplaces and a new sub-set of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) careers has emerged. However, EDI careers have been around for a long time, such as Social Workers, Policy Advisors and Employment Advisors, to name a few. EDI careers focus on supporting under-represented and marginalized people in accessing resources and opportunities more equitably. A few examples of groups these careers may support include BIPOC, 2SLGBTQ+, People with Disabilities, Women and New Canadians.
Areas of Specialization
ADVOCACY
Human Rights Officer - responsible for receiving, investigating and conciliating complaints regarding violations of the Human Rights Acts/Codes to determine whether discrimination under the terms of the legislation occurred. They monitor institutional and organizational practices within the community to ensure compliance with the provisions of the Act/Codes.
Civil Litigation Lawyer - a lawyer who works on non-criminal issues. They help clients understand their legal rights and responsibilities, represent clients in negotiations and write contracts. Civil litigation lawyers must have extensive knowledge of the law and often research laws, regulations and past cases. They are responsible for interpreting and applying the law to specific situations, supporting their clients and ensuring the legal system works properly.
Mediator - helps two or more parties resolve conflict without going to court. They typically help with business/employment contracts, discrimination in the workplace, family inheritances, child custody and divorces. Mediators propose a range of possible solutions and help clients come to an agreement. They do not have legal authority and cannot force a solution on their clients. If the clients agree to a solution, the mediator writes up a settlement contract and has the parties sign it. The signed settlement contract is bound by law.
Other Titles - Human Rights Lawyer, Victims Advocate, Paralegal, Employment Law Diversity Consultant, Public Advocate, National Defender, Ombudsperson, Activist, Journalist, Children’s Rights Advocate, Discrimination Investigator
HUMAN RESOURCES
Employment Equity Manager - assists in creating and implementing an organization’s EDI strategic plan, ensures compliance with human rights regulations and policies, and collects information to identify employment barriers that adversely affect people from under-represented groups.
Diversity Recruitment Specialist - designs EDI-informed recruitment policies to attract and retain diverse talent. They craft inclusive job descriptions, deliver training sessions to employees on how to make equitable hiring decisions, and network with candidates from under-represented groups.
EDI Program Co-ordinator - works to identify, implement and manage programs and services designed to increase participation of under-represented groups. This can involve sourcing grant funding and aligning program offerings with grant requirements.
Other Titles: Employment Equity Director, EDI Talent Acquisition Specialist, Equity Co-ordinator, Training and Development Specialist, Inclusion and Equity Officer
ADVISING
Indigenous Academic Advisor - develops, co-ordinates, implements and delivers advising services and programming to support Indigenous students. They must demonstrate knowledge of and appreciation for the diversity of cultural traditions and spiritual practices of First Nation, Métis and Inuit peoples. They must also understand the needs and barriers Indigenous students face within a colonial environment. Additionally, they create training programs for staff and faculty to effectively and inclusively manage relationships with Indigenous students.
Employment Advisor - provides assistance and information to job seekers on all aspects of employment searching and career planning, including resumés and cover letters, interview preparation and networking strategies. They also advise and inform employer clients regarding human rights policies, employment issues and human resources.
Disability Management Professional - develops policies and procedures in conjunction with committees and other staff. They maintain records and computer-based tracking of absences, costs and outcomes. They also track and analyze the costs and benefits of the disability management program.
Immigration Consultant - helps people immigrate from one country to another. They assess clients’ chances of being approved for a visa and help them prepare immigration applications and interviews. They provide legal services in the area of immigration law as permitted by legislation. Some of the things they are involved in include family sponsorship, express entry, refugee claims, permanent residency and acquiring permits to study/work in Canada.
Other Titles: Disability Employment Advisor, Indigenous Career Counsellor, Disability Case Manager, Resettlement Worker, Indigenous Retention Officer, Religious Advisor, Indigenous Cultural Programs Officer, Indigenous Cultural Counsellor, Indigenous Relations Advisor, Immigration Officer, Immigration Advisor
POLICY DEVELOPMENT
Public Policy Advisor - identifies problems with current public policies and provides recommendations for changes. Public policy analysts try to solve the issues that arise when public policies do not align with the public's wants and needs. They study existing policies to assess effectiveness, conduct in-depth research into solutions and provide recommendations to the government/their employer. They routinely meet with civil servants and community members during this process and must be expert communicators.
Politician - helps write and pass laws that can improve people’s lives and are elected officials. They meet with residents one-on-one, attend community meetings and hold press conferences. Together they study issues, hold debates and help develop new policies. Politicians can work at the municipal, provincial or federal levels of government.
Lobbyist - works on behalf of organizations to influence government policy and legislation. There are two main methods of lobbying: direct and indirect. Direct lobbyists meet with politicians and persuade them to change and/or introduce policies. They conduct research and present their findings through graphs, charts and reports. Indirect lobbyists work within the community to lobby politicians. They raise awareness of issues by organizing rallies, writing articles and gaining public exposure through media channels.
Other Titles: Cultural Needs Researcher, Community Researcher, Policy Researcher, Activist, Senior Policy Advisor, Social Policy Researcher
COMMUNITY SERVICES
Crisis Line Worker - provides suicide prevention and crisis intervention counselling over the phone. They may help a broad range of people or work with a specific population (e.g., 2SLGBTQ+, youth, women). They build trust and provide a safer space to explore issues. They provide non-judgmental emotional support and self-harm risk assessment. They work collaboratively with clients and may offer referral information where appropriate. In a small number of cases, responders may initiate an active rescue to ensure the safety of someone at risk.
Social Worker - helps clients develop or rebuild their resources to meet life’s challenges. They interview clients to assess their needs and abilities, develop a plan of action and help connect them to other resources in the community. They track their clients' progress and adjust plans based on client results. Clinical Social Workers have specialized training in mental health services for assessment, diagnosis, case management, counselling, therapy and program facilitation. Social Workers also develop and facilitate community programs and workshops and are involved in social advocacy and community development.
Occupational Therapist - helps people regain and learn life skills to support clients in leading independent, productive and fulfilling lives. They assess their client’s current abilities through tests and develop action plans and goals. Occupational therapists often work on a team with other healthcare workers to evaluate the results of the programs.
Humanitarian Aid Worker - provides aid and assistance to people and communities. They often respond to emergency situations helping those affected by natural and human-caused disasters. Front-line workers deal directly with the public when offering support and are often travelling to different countries as needed (doctors, nurses, construction workers, teachers, etc.) However, there are also behind-the-scenes workers who provide support (writers, researchers, warehouse supervisors, accountants, fundraisers) who may/may not leave their home country.
Other Titles: Personal Support Worker, Gerontology Aid, Community Relations, Community Policing, Cultural Attaché, Counsellor, Community Outreach Worker, Youth Worker, Foreign Aid Worker, Disaster Relief Worker, International Aid Worker, Translator, Interpreter, Fundraiser, Event Co-ordinator, Music Therapist, Addictions Counsellor, Autism Therapist
LEADERSHIP
Chief Diversity Officer - connects the dots between diversity and inclusion efforts across the organization and is a strategic leader, thought partner and implementer. Typically, they will develop a comprehensive organization-wide strategic diversity and inclusion plan, establish employee training programs, and review and assess the impact and effectiveness of diversity and inclusion programs.
Non-Profit Executive Director - formulates policies which establish the direction to be taken by non-profit organizations, either alone or in conjunction with a board of directors. They are employed in healthcare organizations, educational services, social and community services and membership organizations, or they may own and operate their own business.
Social Entrepreneur - recognizes social issues and uses entrepreneurial principles to organize, create and manage ventures to make social change (a social venture). They conduct research, develop a business model, secure funding (through investments, donations, etc.), and create their product or service. Once the business is operational, they manage workers, deal with clients and suppliers, and oversee the organization’s operations and planning.
EDUCATION
Curriculum Developer - develops and/or improves curriculum for an educational institution. They may conduct research and make recommendations to the administration. They need strong interpersonal and communication skills as they may also work with teachers and instructors to evaluate existing curricula and assess the quality of instruction. All curriculum developers must have a desire to enhance and improve the education system. They must be familiar with current guidelines, policies and regulations pertaining to education.
Public Health Educator - promotes public health. They organize campaigns, explain the importance of health practices and promote health-related topics. They connect the community to health institutions and ensure people access their available health benefits. Some health promoters specialize in specific health areas, while others work with specific groups.
ESL/EFL Teacher - helps non-English speakers learn English. They work for all kinds of organizations in Canada and abroad. They are trained to work with people of all ages and English proficiency levels. They instruct their students on pronouncing words correctly, teaching grammar and vocabulary, and listening skills. ESL/EFL teachers may be the first to introduce others to Canada’s culture. They can design and teach lessons on Canadian culture, entertainment and history.
Other Titles: Indigenous Curriculum Specialist, Special Education Curriculum Developer, Instructional Co-ordinator, Public Health Practitioner, Health Promoter, Teacher, Special Education Teacher, Adult Education Teacher
ALL CAREERS
Check out resources on students.wlu.ca through Career Centre: Specialized Career Assistance, Centre for Student Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, Indigenous Student Services and Accessible Learning Centre.
Online Resources
Content developed from various sources, including Career Cruising, Job Bank and professional associations“Fashion is not something that exists in dress only; fashion is something in the air. It’s the wind that blows in the new fashion; you feel it coming, you smell it… in the sky, in the street… fashion has to do with new ideas, the way we live, what is happening.” – Coco Chanel
Jobs within the fashion industry are extremely diverse. If you are creative, have a flair for fashion and love to be innovative, this could be the right path for you! You can work for organizations of all sizes, from well-known fashion houses to independent shops.
Areas of Specialization
Agent
Discovering new talent to book for upcoming shows and print pieces, agents are responsible for creating lasting relationships with photographers and magazine editors. They must have an eye for detail and an eye for the right look.
Booker
A booker works at various talent agencies and sends models out to various castings. This is a great job if you are good at networking and making connections. Bookers are constantly multitasking, trying to accommodate both the model and the agency.
Buyer
A buyer analyzes sales and inventory figures, and studies market reports to determine which fashion products to buy. Buyers do a great deal of negotiation with suppliers as to quantity, prices and delivery schedules and attend a variety of trade shows to predict consumer demand.
Designer
Designers are responsible for creating garments and executing new trends. They turn their concepts into something appealing and wearable. Fashion designers must not only be able to sew, make patterns and drape, they must also be unique, creative, and know how to execute ideas and concepts.
Journalist
This role researches information on a wide range of topics (fashion publications being one of many options). They communicate the details through effective written submissions in various platforms including newsletters, newspapers, magazines or internet information sources. There are different types of journalism, ranging from news journalists covering several stories per day to investigative journalists involving more fact-gathering, time-consuming articles. A love of writing and the ability to thrive under deadline-driven environments is key to success in this role.
Marketing/Special Events Co-ordinator
Marketing/special events co-ordinators plan events like trunk shows, meet and greets, fashion shows and seminars. In essence, the co-ordinator wants to educate clientele on upcoming events and make sure important people in the industry attend their events to create awareness.
Merchandiser/Display Manager
The role of merchandiser/display manager advises on the design and layout of products to foster increased sales and can also advise on the packaging of products.
Publisher
Publishers run the companies that produce books, magazines and electronic media resources. They manage editors, production, marketing and circulation staff. Often, they are also responsible for a company's financial performance and serve as the leadership for developing long-term goals and business strategies of the publishing firm. The position of publisher is very rarely a direct-entry job but rather a job that is secured following many years in one or more areas of the publishing industry.
Retailer
Responsible for merchandising designer garments, retailers must be able to market products to the public and sell them to the masses. They can either work for a store, including big box stores or specialty boutiques, or manage one.
Trend Forecaster
Trend forecasters are responsible for analyzing the current market while discussing trends among other people who work in the fashion industry, such as designers, buyers and retailers. They forecast trends up to 24 months in advance.
Fashion Industry Websites
- Association of Canadian Publishers
- Canadian Apparel Federation
- Canadian Public Relations Society
- Canadian Special Events Magazine
- Costume Society of Ontario
- International Association of Clothing Designers and Executives
- The Embroiderers’ Association of Canada, Inc.
- The Fashion Group International, Inc.
- Toronto Fashion Incubator
Jobs within the insurance industry are extremely diverse but are connected by the fact that they all involve the primary goal of helping individuals and businesses manage risk to protect themselves from loss. Many young professionals may initially dismiss the idea of a career in insurance due to the perception that most jobs involve sales. While the industry offers a variety of sales opportunities, a majority of careers in insurance do not pertain to sales at all.
Areas of Specialization
Actuary
Actuaries utilize statistical and mathematical analysis to determine the risk of providing coverage to individuals and/or businesses. Being an actuary requires keen math, statistics, analytical and problem-solving skills.
Agent and Broker
Agents and brokers advise people and organizations on how to protect valuables by selling customers insurance contracts. An agent/broker is the first person contacted after an accident, fire or injury. An understanding of insurance contracts is essential. This career can be financially rewarding. The work is highly time-flexible, requires some background in business and is best if you enjoy interacting with people.
Claims Adjuster
A claims adjuster negotiates insurance claims with people who have experienced a loss. The adjuster is responsible for reaching a claim settlement that is fair to all parties involved. Doing well in this job requires a person who is resourceful, tactful and has strong interpersonal skills. Some adjusters work in the field, while others work out of an office.
Loss Control Specialist
Working to keep accidents and losses to a minimum, a control specialist may visit factories, shop floors and businesses to identify potential hazards and help to eliminate them. In the health insurance area, you might work with an organization to promote preventive health care in the workplace or to limit exposure to certain types of ailments. This work requires an understanding of safety management or engineering. A combination of a technical major and a business major would be good preparation for this job.
Risk Manager
Risk managers identify risks and makes recommendations to organizations for dealing with these risks. The recommendations may include the purchase of insurance, adoption of precautionary measures and presentations to upper management. They are also involved in the management of employee benefit plans. Valuable skills include knowledge of the insurance industry, business practice and delivering senior management presentations.
Service Representative
Service representatives are the link between agents who sell policies and insurance companies who write the policies. Field representatives must be good listeners and communicators. This position requires knowledge of the company’s products and an ability to establish good rapport with those working for the company. A background in liberal arts can be great preparation for this type of position.
Underwriter
Underwriters evaluate an applicant’s exposure to risk and decide whether an applicant meets an insurer’s standards. Underwriting requires strong attention to detail, analytical and problem-solving skills and a natural curiosity.
Note: In addition to the above unique roles within insurance, professionals also work in information technology, accounting, finance, marketing, customer service and administrative support.
Insurance Industry Websites
- Canadian Association of Insurance Women
- Canadian Underwriter
- Insurance Brokers Association of Ontario
- Insurance Canada
- Insurance Institute – Career Connections (profiles all career areas in the insurance industry)
- Insurance Institute of Canada
- Underwriters Laboratories of Canada
Careers within the legal industry involve considerable strategic planning because there are many career options from which to choose. Many people do not consider a career in the legal field as they perceive the only option is to be a lawyer. However, various other careers do not require going to law school.
Areas of Specialization
Conflicts Check Specialist
These specialists work with lawyers to resolve potential conflicts. Assist in keeping the firm up to date on ethical regulations. Skills include organization, attention to detail, and the ability to examine legal and factual data.
Law Clerk
Law clerks are primarily employed by law offices or corporations and always work under the direct supervision of a lawyer. Law clerks handle a great deal of administrative and research work for legal proceedings. The majority of employment opportunities in Ontario require you to be a member of the Institute of Law Clerks of Ontario (ILCO). Being extremely organized and efficient is a must for this position as law clerks manage document production and retrieval as well as manage and track deadlines to ensure that work is on schedule.
Law Librarian
Aiding lawyers in receiving information quickly and easily, law librarians often assist with reference questions and legal research, track relevant cases, legislation and regulations and assist in finding legal forms and checklists. The position generally requires a Master of Library and Information Science and some experience in library or legal environments.
Legal Investigator
Legal investigators often work with lawyers as they are in charge of interviewing witnesses, locating witnesses related to cases, constructing background checks and many other responsibilities that involve communication with people. Due to the fact that they are mainly dealing with people rather than paperwork, it is key that they have strong communication skills and the ability to focus on the goal at hand.
Legal Transcriber
Legal transcribers often employed by courts, court reporting service firms or even self-employed. Most of their work revolves around court procedures as they are in charge of recording proceedings and making a complete and thorough record. Technical and computer skills are mandatory for audio and video tapings of court procedures.
Mediator
Mediators are people who facilitate generative discussion among plaintiffs and victims or within families as a conflict resolution process, often to circumvent the need to undergo an expensive court process. Mediators must possess very strong communication and facilitation skills to ensure both parties feel heard and understood to move the parties toward problem resolution.
Paralegal
Paralegals are regulated by the Law Society of Upper Canada and are primarily self-employed professionals who handle small claims court or traffic court cases. Paralegals help reduce the workload, increase efficiency and lower legal costs of clients. Skills include and attention to detail, empathy, organization, deadline-driven, research skills and flexibility. Paralegals are typically permitted to work in certain areas of law without supervision and are more often self-employed. Visit the Law Society of Upper Canada for an outline of the permitted scope of practice for paralegals.
Note: In addition to the above unique roles within the legal field, professionals could also work in accounting (e.g. business loss consultant), or a science student, for example, could become an environmental consultant and provide expert opinion and research services in the case of land disputes (e.g. contamination).
Legal Profession Websites
- Canadian Association of Elizabeth Fry Societies
- Canadian Council on International Law
- Canadian Forum on Civil Justice
- Correctional Service Canada
- Department of Justice Canada
- Human Rights Watch
- Innocence Canada
- John Howard Society of Ontario
- Law Society of Ontario
- Legal Aid Ontario
- Mediation and Arbitration Associates of Canada
- Ministry of the Attorney General
- Paralegal Jobs
- Public Safety Canada
- The Canadian Bar Association
- The Canadian Criminal Justice Association
- The Institute of Law Clerks of Ontario
- United Nations Association in Canada
Library and information science offers a rewarding career for those interested in issues regarding accessing, managing and maintaining information. These professionals manage digital data and various modes of information. Information science professionals are employed in various library settings (e.g., legal, academic, public, school), and there are also a variety of related fields that involve employment in corporate settings.
Areas of Specialization - Library Setting
- Book History
- Cataloguing/Meta-data/Taxonomy
- Children’s Librarian
- Collection Development/Acquisitions
- Digital Curation and Preservation
- Digital Media Specialist
- Information Literacy
- Intellectual Property/Copyright
- Liaison/Community Outreach
- Marketing and Communications
- Media Monitoring and Analysis
- Policy Development
- Project Management
- Records and Information Management Co-ordinator
- Reference Services
- Research Services
- Sales Manager (Library Resources and Solutions)
- Special Collections
- User Experience/User-Centred Design
- Web Content Design and Development
Areas of Specialization - Information Science
- Emerging Technologists Specialist
- Information Access Specialist
- Prospect Research Analytics Officer
Related Fields
Archives:
Information Entrepreneurship:
Records Management
- The Authority on Managing Records and Information International (ARMA)
- Association for Information and Image Management
Library and Information Science Websites
There are many diverse career opportunities within post-secondary institutions besides that of professorship. There can be multiple educational paths to these careers, all of the following requiring a Master’s or Bachelor’s degree. If you have a passion for education but do not want to be a classroom educator or researcher, careers relating to education in the post-secondary setting might be a great fit for you.
Areas of Specialization
Academic Librarian
This role involves providing references and research services for students and faculty which entails demonstrating how to utilize resources and equipment. Academic librarians often concentrate in a specific type of public, technical or administrative service.
Alumni Relations
Alumni professionals seek to build and cultivate lifelong relationships between the university and its alumni, continuously reinforcing the value of affiliation with the university. This is achieved in a variety of ways, including organizing a variety of alumni events that reconnect alumni and engage them with the university, facilitating communication with alumni, providing alumni volunteer opportunities and recognizing alumni accomplishments through awards.
Career Consulting
Career practitioners perform a variety of tasks on a daily basis including one-on-one consulting with students and alumni, delivering workshops, organizing events and maintaining career centre resources. Consultants possess a plethora of information to provide students about the current job market, resumé writing, interviewing and networking skills, as well as further education programs.
Instructional Technology
Instructional technology professionals provide technological support for professors, staff, librarians and any other learning instructors within the college or university. A large portion of their work is consulting with individual instructors on incorporating technology into learning and advising various departments on technical issues.
International
Most post-secondary institutions offer an International Office with a focus on internationalization activities, goals and aspirations. These offices work with international students as well as domestic students seeking academic exchange opportunities in other countries. Student abroad advisors and liaison officers provide students with the skills to effectively communicate, learn and adapt in an intercultural setting during their academic and non-academic life. International relations staff steward international agreements and partnerships and organize/ host delegation visits from across the globe.
Learning Services
Learning services professionals are trained in educational theory and practice, educational psychology, curriculum and disability/accessibility issues. Their role often entails creating academic programs, developing workshops, working with curriculum designers and professors, and performing individual consultations with students. Learning services can include a variety of outlets through a host of programs such as accessible learning centres and writing and math centres.
Public Affairs
University communication professionals create and deliver the university’s key messages, provide information and advocacy on behalf of the university, and assist in effectively positioning the university in the post-secondary sector. This is done in a variety of ways, including the promotion of newsworthy events to the media and the public, writing and designing online and printed publications, and managing social media channels.
Recruitment/Admissions
Recruitment professionals assess potential student admission and enrolment while performing a variety of duties such as developing and executing recruitment programs, attending committees and working with faculties. These professionals serve in a ‘public relations’ role to field inquiries from students and parents with a focus on securing a strong attraction to the university. Admissions specialists process applications to an institution, respond to potential student inquiries and co-ordinate admissions with individual academic departments.
Registrar
Professionals in this post-secondary department manage all current and past student admission/academic and registration records. The registrar is responsible for course enrolments and co-ordinating class and exam schedules. The registrar is also responsible for directing the activities of the professional and support staff in their departments.
Student Affairs
Professionals in this department provide services and support for student success outside of the classroom.
University Advancement/Development
Professionals in this department contribute to the sustainability of the university through strategic fundraising initiatives. Identifying prospective donors and managing donor relations is an integral part of the role resulting in opportunities to continually create innovative programming and scholarships for students.
Note: In addition to the above unique roles within post-secondary, professionals also work in accounting, finance and administrative support.
Post-secondary Education Websites
- American Association for Adult and Continuing Education
- Association of Fundraising Professionals
- Canadian Association of Career Educators and Employers
- Canadian Council for the Advancement of Education
- Colleges and Institutes Canada
- Council for Advancement and Support of Education
- Learning Specialists Association of Canada
- Ontario Universities Registrars’ Association
- The Chronicle of Higher Education
- Universities Canada
- University Affairs
Jobs within the publishing industry are extremely diverse. If you have an interest in reading books, magazines and newspapers, in either print or online - then a career in this industry may be for you!
Areas of Specialization
Copyright and Permissions
Professionals in copyright and permissions respond to requests to duplicate publications by ensuring compliance with copyright protection laws.
Copywriter
A copywriter works in close connection to clients to understand a company’s product or service in order to write advertisements. A copywriter strives to identify the best means of delivering a client’s message, which may involve writing TV or radio commercials or advertisements for print or online publications.
Designer
A designer consults with clients about projects, audiences and budgets. Designers prepare rough drafts of designs and present them to clients for approval. They gather visual elements for inclusion in print publications, including text, illustrations and photographs.
Editor
An editor collects and produces high-quality written work. An editor’s role varies based on the level of responsibility and the type of publication. For instance, acquisition editors make decisions about which books or articles they want to publish. Developmental editors work with an author to shape the direction of a book/essay, while production editors co-ordinate the design and layout of a book, magazine or newspaper. Copy editors mostly review and edit a writer’s work for accuracy, grammar and style. In smaller organizations, a single editor may do all of the above.
Journalist
A journalist researches information on a wide range of topics (depending on the publication) and communicates the details through effective written submissions in various platforms, including newsletters, newspapers, magazines or internet information sources. There are different types of journalism, ranging from news journalists covering several stories per day to investigative journalists involving more fact-gathering, time-consuming articles. An interest in writing and the ability to thrive under deadline-driven environments are key to success in this role.
Marketing
Professionals in marketing co-ordinate activities associated with development and promotion through market research, market planning, advertising and direct mail campaigns.
Production and Circulation Staff
This staff monitors book or electronic publication production schedules and interact with authors, compositors, printers, proofreaders, copy editors, designers, illustrators and photo-researchers. Production staff know a great deal about the printing process, desktop publishing and electronic product development.
Publisher
This role manages the companies that produce books, magazines and electronic media resources. They manage editors, production, marketing and circulation staff. Often they are also responsible for the financial performance of a company and serve as the leadership for developing long-term goals and business strategies of the publishing firm. The position of publisher is very rarely a direct-entry job but rather a job that is secured following many years in one or more areas of the publishing industry.
Sales
Sales positions involve selling advertising space within a magazine, newspaper, directory or online forum. This work is best suited for individuals who enjoy the art of negotiation and who are both people and goal-oriented.
Note: In addition to the above unique roles within the publishing industry, professionals also work in information technology, accounting, finance and administrative support.