Editor II, Arts and Culture Hub
Maria Rom
Editor II, Arts and Culture Hub at NPR
About the Position
NPR is an independent, non profit media organization headquartered in Washington, D.C. Committed to the creation of an informed public, this organization connects its audience to a network of member stations through local, national, and global stories. Among its various media categories is NPR’s Arts and Culture Hub, which offers reporting, reviews, and analysis of entertainment news to its audience via digital, radio, podcast, social platforms, and video format. Currently, the Arts and Culture Hub is seeking a creative Editor II to join their team. Not only does this position involve skills that foreign language majors hold, but it also offers valuable experience in the field of journalism and reporting.
Question & Answer
How did you find this position?
The Editor II position was found through a LinkedIn search of jobs with the keyword “editor.”
What are the minimum qualifications?
In terms of minimum qualifications, NPR is seeking a candidate who can handle multiple projects simultaneously and has a passion for connecting with diverse audiences.
What are the preferred qualifications?
As for preferred qualifications, a candidate with experience writing and editing audio stories is ideal. Foreign language majors are more than capable of meeting such qualifications as their university curriculum provides them with numerous applicable skills. For example, to achieve linguistic proficiency, foreign language majors must familiarize themselves with a variety of writing formats; among these include presentational and journalistic writing. Additionally, as foreign languages are intrinsically connected to the culture associated with its speakers, foreign language majors are skilled with cultural competency that allows them to connect with diverse audiences.
What skills are important for success in this field?
Apart from the minimum and preferred qualifications, other important skills in this field include creative thinking, digital literacy, and the ability to integrate ideas across settings and contexts.
What might be helpful for a language major to prepare for this position?
In order to prepare for this position, it could be helpful for foreign language majors to consider media classes during their undergraduate career; potential internships with a local newspaper or involvement with on-campus organizations like University Pulse Radio are a few other examples. On a graduate level, certificates or degrees in Communications and Digital Storytelling can provide language majors with more specific experiences to obtain positions in this field.
How is proficiency in another language important in this position?
When it comes to the value of foreign language proficiency, there are various insights and abilities language majors hold that make them competitive candidates for NPR’s Arts and Culture Hub Editor II position. One one hand, proficiency in another language is useful as it provides candidates with more in-depth communication and writing skills than a monolingual may hold. On another hand, as this position pertains to pop culture, music, and film, it would be great for language majors to use their cultural knowledge to reach a wider range of audiences.
How is the ability to communicate with people from different cultural backgrounds useful in this position?
In this position, the ability to communicate and work with people from different cultural backgrounds is important as it will create a stronger foundation for teamwork. In any diverse work environment, cultural competency leads to higher productivity and robust work relationships.
