If you are considering whether to sit the accreditation exam – either this year on 22 August, or in future – here are a few factors that might influence your decision.
Accreditation by IPEd demonstrates your competency as an editor, both to yourself and to others. This is useful in many situations.
For example, if you believe you are a competent editor but do not have a tertiary qualification in fields that require editing knowledge (e.g. publishing, writing), the IPEd exam proves that you know how to do the job – and it’s cheaper and quicker than a HECS fee.
Clients and employers like to be reassured that their editor is legitimate. When engaging new clients or applying for a job, having accreditation from your profession counts for much.
Accreditation shows others in our profession that you can be trusted to know how the profession operates, and that you have skills in certain areas. This could lead to more work, as other editors would feel more comfortable handing an overflow of work to an editor they don’t personally know, if that editor is accredited.
Accreditation is also handy if you are branching into a new field: say, transferring from book publishing to academic editing. You may not have much experience yet in your chosen area, but accreditation shows others that you have editing competence on which you can build.
Moreover, sitting the exam has benefits, even if you don’t pass the first time. Past candidates have found that the work it takes to prepare for the exam improves their skills and confidence, and they continue to apply the discipline learned in their daily work. For example, once you’re in the habit of creating a style sheet for each publication, even if you’re the only person who ever sees it, you may find that this increases your efficiency. So just the process of becoming accredited can be a boost to your confidence in your own professionalism. That, for many, has been a great additional benefit.
Finally, accreditation lifts the standards – and the standing – of the profession as a whole. Accreditation is what makes IPEd an organisation of professionals, not just a gathering of people who happen to do similar work. With more editors achieving accreditation, the editing profession will be able to command more respect and generate a higher profile with the general public, leading to higher wages and more worthwhile work.
If you think accreditation might be for you, join our May workshops to get valuable practical guidance for your preparation.
by the IPEd Accreditation Board