Polymorphing into an Editor

[fuindordm]

So here's the story:

I've been a research astrophysicist for five years, and have finally accepted the fact that I detest research. This wasn't always the case, but between a couple of bad work experiences, having a daughter (who is 1000 times more interesting and fun), and perhaps my own personality evolving, I can't see myself doing it anymore. I always thought I wanted to be a professor, as I love teaching, but that's a more than a full-time job and I have yet to meet a successful research professor that hasn't damaged their family life severely in the process of getting tenure.

So, I've decided to make a break from academia altogether and look for jobs elsewhere... perhaps in industry or finance as a scientific/analytic programmer, or perhaps by cobbling together teaching and work as a freelance writer/editor. Editing (in particular scientific editing) greatly attracts me, and I think it's something I could do full time. I've edited three books professionally in the past with good feedback from the authors and published several articles, so I'm not totally inexperienced--I really feel like I am good at
this and will enjoy doing it.

There are a lot of people on ENworld, and I'm hoping that I can get some advice from people on the following points:

1) Does anyone have a successful editor's CV that they could show me, so I see what one looks like? I've already created one, but it's based on my academic CVs and I'd feel more comfortable sending it out if I could find a sample of the kinds of CVs that publishers are used to receiving.

2) Does anyone working for a publishing company have an idea of what the market is like? Are full-time copy editors getting hired these days, or is the work getting farmed out to freelancers? What's the work environment like?

3) Does anyone working as a writer/editor have any other useful advice for me that I might not even be aware of?

4) Last but not least, has anyone else suffered a career crisis like this? It took me a long time to admit to myself that the job I've been doing for years, and that I always envisioned myself doing growing up, had become a source of stress and depression. One can love the subject but hate the process, and that's what's happened to me. The idea of starting to do something very different is at the same time saddening, inspiring and absolutely terrifying.

Thanks in advance,
Ben

 

[Shallown]

I believe Merekspielman (SP?) is a techincal editor. Maybe hunt him down. He's around the boards on and off depending on his schedule.

later

 

[Kid Charlemagne]

4) Last but not least, has anyone else suffered a career crisis like this? It took me a long time to admit to myself that the job I've been doing for years, and that I always envisioned myself doing growing up, had become a source of stress and depression. One can love the subject but hate the process, and that's what's happened to me. The idea of starting to do something very different is at the same time saddening, inspiring and absolutely terrifying.

I can relate to this. I went to school for radio & TV, and spent a good 14 years working in the field professionally. I became fairly disillusioned over time, and despite some success, I just decided it was time to get out. Basically, I determined that in order to make any further progress in my career, I'd have to take on a level of risk or of crappy work conditions that I was not interested in.

I got lucky, in that the company I've been working for as an AV specialist and Avid video editor had some opportunities that I could take advantage of, and now I'm much happier with my career. So my transition was perfectly smooth, and all is good.

 

[fuindordm]

I can relate to this. I went to school for radio & TV, and spent a good 14 years working in the field professionally. I became fairly disillusioned over time, and despite some success, I just decided it was time to get out. Basically, I determined that in order to make any further progress in my career, I'd have to take on a level of risk or of crappy work conditions that I was not interested in.

It's not worth it, is it? It's OK to put up with that sort of thing for a little while when you're young, but as soon as you feel the urge to settle down, start a family, and get a cat the sacrifice is way too high.

I got lucky, in that the company I've been working for as an AV specialist and Avid video editor had some opportunities that I could take advantage of, and now I'm much happier with my career. So my transition was perfectly smooth, and all is good.

It sounds like a good swtich. The key is to use your skills in a pleasing environment, not just to pick a career for its own sake. I wish back in college and even high school people had told me how important the style of work you do is (on your own/in teams; sitting down most of the time/always going to meetings; and so forth). Back then it was all about what subject interested you most, and let the rest sort itself out.

Or maybe they did tell me, I just wasn't listening.

Ben

 

[GlassJaw]

I worked as a technical writer/editor for a large defense contractor for a while. I was very good at it but I found it incredibly boring. Needless to say, I jumped ship as soon as something better came along (which was my current job).

 

[Dimwhit]

I believe Merekspielman (SP?) is a techincal editor. Maybe hunt him down. He's around the boards on and off depending on his schedule.

later

He spends a lot more time at nothingland (different username), so you might have better luck there.