Online editor

The online editor (sometimes also: content manager) is responsible for the web-friendly preparation of information. He works in the online editorial offices of media companies or in companies with a multimedia presence. When creating the content , he applies knowledge from the areas of research , conception , visualization and information transfer. The work of online editors is determined more strongly by the technical requirements than with the classic editor .

definition

There are many job titles related to the online editor. There are overlaps and boundaries between online journalists , content managers and web project managers. Because of this variety of terms, it is difficult to define a uniform job description and clear tasks for the online editor that are separate from other areas. Online journalist is usually used as a generic term. There is an isolated opinion that the online journalist works exclusively for media companies and the online editor is responsible for a company's website, among other things. Others are of the opinion that there is only one distinction between an online editor and a content manager. Content management often also includes content syndication tasks .

Since the job title of the online editor is neither protected nor a training path has been defined, theoretically every person can call himself an online editor.

profile

A good online editor has in-depth knowledge of the technical fundamentals. In addition to content creation, its maintenance and the safe use of a content management system are also part of his tasks. The range of requirements of the online editor ranges from pronounced soft skills , creative thinking, image processing , understanding of business processes to broad general knowledge . A very good knowledge of the new media and their possible uses are essential in the world of Web 2.0 . In order to be able to manage online projects successfully, the online editor must have very good analytical and conceptual skills as well as excellent organizational skills. Excellent expressiveness, very good knowledge of English and good spelling skills are absolute prerequisites for this profession. The online editor should indeed versed in dealing with the computer , Internet and online content management systems be, but it is not required to have sound knowledge of programming. Customer and service orientation play an increasingly important role, as the website is becoming more and more important as an instrument of customer loyalty for companies.

We are preferably looking for people with a university degree and several years of editorial professional experience. Since specialists in this area are a minority, several subject-specific training options have been established in recent years. The right training and skills of the online editors are among the outstanding criteria for the production of quality.

Employment relationship

Online editors work on a permanent or freelance basis . You can also find them as “permanent freelancers”, also known as freelancers, with social security or as self-employed entrepreneurs . If an online editor has the desire to work from home in order to better combine family and career, he must not get too high hopes at the beginning of his career. Most of the work takes place on the computer , but there are no topics or clients at home. If it happens that the online editor's workplace is outside the editorial office, this does not mean, however, that he can do all his work from home. A high degree of mobility is required for presentations, maintaining contacts and project work.

Training opportunities in German-speaking countries

The Munich Academy of Journalists has been offering full-time training of six months as well as a part-time course of nine months in online journalism and online press work since 2000.

Since the winter semester 2001, the Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences (h_da) has been offering the online journalism course (initially a diploma course , now a bachelor's degree ). In addition to theoretical and practical journalistic knowledge for print , TV and radio journalists, online-specific content is taught. In the main course, students can choose between the focus on online journalism and public relations .

Since the winter semester 2003, the Cologne University of Applied Sciences has been offering the bachelor's degree online editor. In six semesters, journalistic competence, knowledge of design and web technology and the theoretical basics of the profession are learned.

Since the winter semester of 2008/2009, the Leipzig School of Media has been offering a master's degree in New Media Journalism alongside work. Editors are trained here on the specific conditions of online journalism.

Due to the changed requirements compared to print journalism, more and more universities of applied sciences are including the currently up-and-coming online sector in their programs; the Vienna Vocational Promotion Institute has been offering courses since this year.

The range of offerings at Austrian and German universities is partly different. Formulations of the subject areas are mostly different, but often contain similar content or subject areas. The training of the online editor includes the steps shown in Figure 1.2. created main classes (1.2.3.4), which contain a basis for the correct finding, bypassing, processing and displaying information. The sub-categories of the main classes show some of the possible content-related training subjects at the various universities in Austria and Germany.

In relation to the current labor market situation, this training currently offers very good opportunities for employment. There are numerous offers for employees in an online editorial office on all job exchanges .

Comparison of university education as an online editor

Basic structure

The graphic was created based on the existing curricula of the German and Austrian universities. Three teaching institutes were used for the evaluation. (Cologne University of Applied Sciences, Martin Luther University Halle and Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences (8 semesters) for Germany and Vienna University of Applied Sciences, Burgenland University of Applied Sciences and Joanneum University of Applied Sciences Graz for Austria.) The calculation of the mean value and commercial rounding were used for the values shown.
Explanation of the word (s): SWS = weekly semester hours

The basic structure of training to become an online editor / online journalist at Austrian and German universities is very similar. The average number of hours per week is rounded here (19 hours per week), as is the project-related training, which will play an important role in studies in both countries. It only differs in the implementation of the projects. The internship is an essential part of the course to become an online editor / online journalist. This section is usually completed in semesters 5 and / or 6 and is a cornerstone of successful training.

Structuring of content

The graphic was created based on the existing curricula of the German and Austrian universities. Three teaching institutes were used for the evaluation. (Cologne University of Applied Sciences, Martin Luther University Halle and Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences for Germany and Vienna University of Applied Sciences, Burgenland University of Applied Sciences as well as the Joanneum University of Applied Sciences Graz for Austria.) The designation in the graphic does not have to literally match the curriculum. The content aspect is in the foreground.
Explanation of words: SWS = partial semester hours = Means that at least 1 university offers this focus.
x = Means that this focus is offered by all universities.

literature

Saim Rolf Alkan: Online editorial management in companies: quality – processes – organization . 2007, ISBN 3-8334-9158-2
Gabriele Hooffacker : Online journalism. Writing and designing for the internet. A Manual for Education and Practice. 4th unchanged edition. Springer VS, Wiesbaden 2015, ISBN 978-3-430-20096-7 , examples and current additions to the book
Nea Matzen: Online journalism. Journalism guide . 3rd, revised. Edition. UVK-Verl.-Ges., Konstanz / Munich 2014.
Information brochure from the Cologne University of Applied Sciences for the "Online Editor" course
Thorsten Quandt: Journalists on the Net . 2005, ISBN 3-531-14210-0

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