Career changers, risk takers, mould breakers: the value of different backgrounds in publishing

Posted on March 3, 2020 in Uncategorized

After trying out a blind application process, 7 out of our 15 UK committee members don’t work in the publishing industry. Why do we think this is a positive move? There is no one set path to securing your dream job and there’s a huge variety of skills and experience that can be useful in publishing.

New SYP Chair Carl Smith said:

“I changed career in my thirties and struggled in my mid-career after a redundancy, and the SYP was instrumental in helping me get back on my feet and push on. It can do the same for others.

Through their applications these individuals demonstrated they possess the skills necessary to succeed in this industry if given the chance, and in my position as chair I am excited to provide them with the platform to prove what they are capable of.”

Our new committee members work in a range of sectors, including marketing, communications, customer service, journalism and universities. Like any business, publishers recruit for a wide variety of roles (it’s not all about being an editor). From sales and customer service to rights and publicity, most publishers have many different roles and departments, so your current skills and experience might not be as far from your dream job as you think. Take a look at some of the “Day in the life of a…” series in the “Get into publishing” section of the SYP Toolkit, available exclusively to SYP members, to learn more about the different jobs in the market.

Having spent all of her working career in academic publishing, SYP Inclusivity Officer Iram Satti decided to move out of the industry in October last year, taking an opportunity to work in research and innovation at Birmingham City University. 

Iram said:

“It has been really insightful in terms of different working styles, methods and having much more diversity around – not everyone comes from a Humanities background! The change has really opened my eyes in terms of what an individual can bring to any organisation within or outside of the publishing industry. I was talking to a new colleague a little while ago and they said if you bring your ‘tenacity and passion’ to what you do you will do fine in whatever it is that you’re doing.”

You may also be surprised to discover that having experience from outside the publishing bubble could even be an asset in application processes. Having worked in a different sector could make you stand out against other candidates, as you can offer a fresh perspective compared to those who have followed a more traditional path. 

The Society of Young Publishers aims to help people from all backgrounds to get in and get on in this rewarding but competitive industry. Lack of diversity has long been an issue in publishing, due to the concentration of jobs in London and the southeast and prevalence of unpaid internships or low starting salaries. The blind application process led to far greater regional diversity in the UK committee, with members based in York, Newbury, Lewes, Brighton, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Manchester and Oxford. This is just one way we are promoting a more inclusive industry, alongside our commitment to #bookjobtransparency, meaning we no longer advertise unpaid internships or jobs without a stated salary on our website.

Carl said:

“At a time when the issue of a London-centric industry is being discussed, these committee members show you can make contributions to the industry from anywhere in the country.”

Find out more about our blind application process and why we are committed to promoting inclusion and diversity in Carl’s interview with The Bookselller.

You can also find out more about our commitment to #bookjobtransparency here.