I remember when I worked as a reviewer, I was told by multiple editors that they took people on because of the 'personal voice' in their writing. One linked me to an interview with one of the top editors in the UK, who simply stated: anyone applying for a job, with a degree in journalism on their resume anywhere above the bottom of their list of job experience will have the paper thrown out.
Since 'New Journalism' entered the market it has decimated colleges and universities abilities to produce journalists. Simply put, personal voice cannot be taught and paying for an education in journalism is a major waste of time that could be spent starting at the bottom. I was taken on as a reviewer at 16 as I had the ability to make my editor laugh. I was admittedly rough in the beginning, but being a combination of a fast learner and willing to learn meant I was turned around quickly and was writing the best reviews.
An editor's job is to recognize talent and save the newbie's asses along the way. Once an editor teaches a new journalist the right style and what they're looking for, any talented journalist will barely need any editing. I know by the end of my stint as a reviewer my editor basically only had to say 'yes' or 'no' to an article and I'd have it rewritten in an hour or two to how he wanted it.
Since 'New Journalism' entered the market it has decimated colleges and universities abilities to produce journalists. Simply put, personal voice cannot be taught and paying for an education in journalism is a major waste of time that could be spent starting at the bottom. I was taken on as a reviewer at 16 as I had the ability to make my editor laugh. I was admittedly rough in the beginning, but being a combination of a fast learner and willing to learn meant I was turned around quickly and was writing the best reviews.
An editor's job is to recognize talent and save the newbie's asses along the way. Once an editor teaches a new journalist the right style and what they're looking for, any talented journalist will barely need any editing. I know by the end of my stint as a reviewer my editor basically only had to say 'yes' or 'no' to an article and I'd have it rewritten in an hour or two to how he wanted it.