Editor:Sonia Abraham Company: Freelance # of years in editing: 23 years
Tell us a little about yourself, including how you got started as an editor?
I started as a proofreader and quality control specialist for a translation company, then I got my first editing job.
What is your area of focus and why did you select this niche?
I always had an interest in the medical field, so I majored in Biology. My first editing job was in global public health and it seemed like a natural fit to marry my two interests.
Walk us through a typical workday. How do you manage your time?
Long before the time of COVID-19, I was working full-time remotely. My commute is down the hall to my office. I log in for the day at 8 am, sign on to meetings through Zoom when they arise, and finish the day around 4:30 or 5 pm.
What is your favorite thing about being an editor?
I love making something more understandable, better organized, and more concise. Having an author happy with the work I did to make a polished finished product brings me great satisfaction.
What is your biggest challenge and how do you work through this?
Currently? Managing homeschooling and working full-time. Taking breaks to help the kids with various technology issues and prioritizing at least one goal for the day helps. There's always tomorrow!
What are you currently working on?
I'm the editor for an online global public health journal, editing all the articles for the quarterly issue, so I'm always working on new materials.
What advice do you have for someone who is just starting their career as an editor?
Diversify your skills and areas of expertise to help yourself be versatile and adaptable.