By Dana Sorensen
I haven’t been an editor for very long. In some ways, this career snuck up on me.
An equity trader for my entire professional life, I started in that industry partly to make use of my BA in Economics. I was over the moon to have a job I excelled at and where I fit in! As time went on and we were able to trade from home, I used the time I saved on commuting to care for my daughter and my mom-in-law.
As much as I appreciated my job for the perks, social standing, and the thrill of trading, secretly I knew a big part of my mind was either dormant or only used after hours. Through those years, I had a recurring dream of rediscovering a secret room in my house with built-in bookshelves, a big chair, soft lighting, and even a library ladder!
In my dream, I was ecstatic that such a soulful, interior place could exist and continue to exist for my whole life. At those times, I knew a crucial part of my mind was going unused, but it would not be ignored forever.
As my life circumstances began to change, I had the urge to use my mind in a new way. I went through a career exploration package with a local counsellor. It didn’t take much to uncover my aptitude for creative communication and more specifically, editing.
I found an online program that suited my schedule and began a year of part-time studying. In that time, I discovered one of my greatest strengths was my ability to network and meet people within the editing field. I joined Editors Canada and attended webinars and the in-person annual conference. I was not being strategic when I made personal connections with several of the editors I met; I was drawn to their ideas and simply wanted to learn more about them and their work.
In my corporate life, I found people to be somewhat closed off and competitive, so I was honestly surprised by how open, helpful, and interesting the editors I have met are. I’ve made so many new friends over the past two years—like-minded people to show me I was on the right path. That’s a bit of unexpected grace.
I was encouraged from the start to volunteer as much as time and energy allowed. In truth, Editors Canada relies on volunteer labour a great deal, which not only benefits the organization but the volunteer as well. I have done several volunteer jobs, and they all helped me sharpen my editing skills, introduced me to many other editors, and fostered a sense of belonging.
After I finished my two certificates, one in Professional Editing and the second in Business Writing, I was a bit unsure how to parlay that into a job. (Spoiler alert: I still don’t have a job, but I feel I’m getting close.) I applied for and entered the John Eerkes-Medano mentorship program through Editors Canada with the incomparable Berna Ozunal. Going through the mentorship as part of my journey was incredibly helpful for settling on certain goals and logistical issues. I decided on a niche and a company name, things I had been waffling on. As a guest for the December 2024 Editors Canada student social on the topic of mentorship, I was asked to share with participants some information about my mentorship and later took questions.
I found mentorship incredibly valuable for moving forward with my career, and I recommend that any emerging editor explore a mentorship. It helps to bridge the gap between a certificate and the practical application of editing skills in the job market. It seems that many factors in the profession are somewhat mysterious, so having a seasoned editor guide you is a worthwhile step in your editing journey.
Dana Sorensen is an equity trader and editor. She holds a BA in Economics from the University of Calgary and certificates in Professional Editing and Writing and Editing for Business from Mount Royal University. She volunteers in various areas with Editors Canada and acts as a co-moderator for several editing groups on Facebook. She recently worked with teenage writers during a special Blue Pencil session. In her spare time, she is an avid reader and marathon runner.
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Copyedited by Lisa Guglielmi
Lisa is a freelance content writer and editor for BC’s Ministry of Environment and specializes in auditing websites. As a new editor, she’s also a volunteer copy editor for Editors BC. She is currently finishing the Editing Certificate Program from Simon Fraser University, writing her first novel, and studying Spanish. For fun, Lisa enjoys cycling on Highway 97 and is training for the 2025 Gran Fondo season.