Editors-in-Chief are senior members of the editorial staff. If your dream is to one day become an Editor-in-Chief, you need to be prepared to put in the time and work required to gain the level of seniority needed for this role. 
 
There are no formal educational requirements to become an Editor-in-Chief, although most have degrees in Journalism, Communications, Marketing, or a similar field. 
 
When hiring committees are looking at candidates for an Editor-in-Chief, they are looking for someone with a vision for the publication, someone with demonstrated leadership experience, and, of course, a seasoned Editor.  
 
Most Editors-in-Chief start their careers by first working as Journalists. Journalists try and set themselves apart with their top-notch work, thorough fact-checking, and timeliness. After a few years of working as a Journalist, they can then apply for mid-level editorial positions, such as Associate Editor or Managing Editor. Once they have worked in this position for some time, they can apply for the role of and Editor-in-Chief.  

What can help you become an Editor-in-Chief

• Have a vision

Editors-in-Chief are the heads of their publications. Think of publications like Vogue or Bon Appétit. There is a clear point of view in the content presented, from the articles to the images. If you're applying for this kind of role, you should have a clear vision of what your leadership would bring and articulate that vision to a hiring committee.  

• Attention to detail

Even though Editors-in-Chief are responsible for the big picture strategy of their publication, their vision is often executed in the minute details. A careful eye for visual presentations and a strong focus on copy standards will help give your vision a cohesive feeling.  

• Social media skills

In today's media landscape, a publication needs a social media presence. Working with a social media manager you trust can help you create a social media strategy that will help your publication's brand stand out. From TikTok to Instagram to YouTube, your publication should have content on all your customer base's platforms.