MODERATOR: 
Kristen Overstreet
Origin Editorial (now part of KGL)

SPEAKER: 
Rachel Taylor
Desert Rose Editorial, LLC

SPEAKERS: 
Andrea Rahkola
American Academy of Neurology

Erin Landis
Origin Editorial (now part of KGL)

REPORTER
Patty Brady
American Society of Clinical Oncology

Starting your career in scholarly publishing is exciting, but figuring out your next steps can feel overwhelming. This three-speaker session offered early-career publishing professionals a clear roadmap to build a career aligned with their personal values and long-term goals.

The speakers went beyond theory. They shared practical examples and invaluable lessons from their own experiences. Attendees gained a broad overview of the scholarly publishing landscape, which extends far beyond roles like “managing editor” or “editorial coordinator.”

Attendees learned actionable strategies for the following:

• Identifying core values and skills and translating them into tangible career objectives
• Continuous learning and skill development, with a focus on vetting potential employers and cultivating a mindset of self-advocacy
• Developing leadership skills early on, regardless of whether a formal leadership role is the goal
• Building authentic connections and finding mentors who can offer guidance and open doors

The session also tackled challenges, such as imposter syndrome, work-life balance, and advocating for professional growth. This session equipped attendees with the tools and confidence to proactively shape a future in scholarly publishing that is not only successful but also personally meaningful.

Rachel Taylor, of Desert Rose Editorial, LLC, opened the session with an overview of career options that exist within scholarly publishing. In addition to traditional scholarly societies and university presses, publishing professionals work for commercial academic publishers, open access journals, and governmental organizations. Editorial service companies also play a vital role in providing copyediting, typesetting, graphic design, indexing, and rights management, among other publishing functions.

Taylor encouraged attendees to evaluate potential employers by considering crucial factors that impact long-term personal satisfaction and growth. She recommended exploring whether a potential employer shows commitment to professional development or allows for lateral movement across departments. Job seekers should also consider whether the employer provides opportunities to lead special projects or welcomes proposals to create projects of interest. Are there clear promotion paths and other opportunities for growth? 

Next, Taylor outlined essential roles within scholarly publishing, loosely grouped into five areas: author services, peer review management, production and design, technology and ethics, and sales and business strategy. Author service roles focus on supporting authors through the submission and publication process, including study design, translation and writing services, manuscript management, and illustration. Peer review management encompasses roles from editorial assistants to managing editors who orchestrate the peer-review process from submission to acceptance. 

Production and design services include professionals ranging from copy editors and typesetters to graphic designers and technical editors. Technology and ethics services involve platform development, UX design, managing open access, and upholding industry ethical guidelines. Finally, those working in sales and business strategy roles include account managers, marketing professionals, operations managers, business development, and data analysts. 

Taylor also spoke about the pros and cons of contract work. Contracting can be an appealing option for both employer and consultant and may fill a need related to shorter term projects, hiring restrictions, scope of the project, or a need for niche expertise. She highlighted advantages of schedule flexibility, the ability to work with a diverse array of clients and projects, potentially higher hourly rates, and greater control over one’s workload and work-life balance. 

However, she also presented several cons, including the absence of traditional employer-provided healthcare and retirement benefits, the inherent inconsistency of income, and the added burden of self-employment taxes. She closed by encouraging attendees—whether early career or years in—to keep these considerations in mind to design a unique career that works best for them.

The second presenter, Andrea Rahkola, from the American Academy of Neurology, shared insights from her own journey as an early-career publishing professional from temp to manager. She emphasized the importance of self-advocacy, urging attendees to take initiative in shaping their professional trajectory. Rahkola encouraged attendees to create a portfolio detailing specific projects, measurable successes, and demonstrated abilities. She said to “network EVERYWHERE and keep track of your contacts.”

As you track your accomplishments, it is equally important to actively promote what you can offer. To increase visibility, Rakhola suggested volunteering for interesting projects and being active in professional communities such as CSE. Also, if you can propose a project that benefits both you and your employer, it allows you to pursue something you are interested in, while providing clear value to your organization—a win–win. 

She recommended keeping an eye on shifting economic and geopolitical environments that may affect jobs and research priorities. Consistently track job opportunities, industry developments, and salary trends, and save job descriptions that appeal to you. Rahkola urged attendees to “identify what interests you and pursue it!” (Figure)

Following Rahkola, Erin Landis, with Origin Editorial (now part of KGL), turned the discussion toward leadership skill development, making the case that everyone can benefit from acquiring these skills early, regardless of their professional goals. Landis underscored the importance of authenticity, encouraging leaders to act with integrity and express genuine interest in their teams. It is also important to show empathy, understanding, and support for team members’ needs. 

Creativity in a leader, she proposed, fosters innovation and encourages out-of-the-box thinking within teams. Landis urged attendees to begin cultivating these leadership skills early in their careers. She suggested taking initiative on projects, even if they seem minor, or volunteering to lead a small team or subcommittee to start developing and practicing these skills.

A particular piece of advice from Landis that had heads nodding around the room was to recognize and embrace “imposter syndrome,” the tendency to feel self-doubt in one’s skills or role. She encouraged the audience to acknowledge their insecurities, saying that doing so leads to greater authenticity, trust, and resilience in leaders, which in turn builds a stronger team. 

Finally, Landis advocated developing expertise in a chosen niche. By becoming the go-to person for a specific area—be it a certain technology, a type of content, or a specialized process—professionals can differentiate themselves from their peers and add significant value to their organizations. Having a deep understanding and particular skill set can position them for leadership roles in that domain. 

Together, the three speakers offered a practical guidebook for early-career professionals aiming to build meaningful, resilient, and fulfilling careers in scholarly publishing.