Assistant Editor, Sage Publishing
Tell us a bit about yourself. Where are you from, and what did you study? Where are you currently based?
I’m from the San Francisco Bay Area but pursued my BA in international studies from American University in Washington, D.C. Outside of work, I enjoy cooking, reading, and teaching yoga.
Describe your current role and organization. What are your main responsibilities? What type of organization do you work for?
Sage is an independent, global publishing company that specializes in academic books, journals, and library resources. I work in Library Editorial, specifically on the Sage Skills team. My responsibilities include commissioning authors and shepherding content for annual releases. Additionally, I also serve as the Sage US Gender Equity ERG lead. I facilitate monthly meetings and organize events, all with the intention of promoting our mission of advancing the empowerment and equity of individuals with marginalized gender identities at Sage, both within and outside of the workplace.
In your experience, what skills or qualities are essential for success in scholarly communications?
In my opinion, staying informed is key for success. It’s essential to have a sense of where the world is going so that you can predict trends. Because the editorial process can take about a year, at least in my work, having an idea of the future allows you to develop content that will stay relevant long after it’s been published. I often refer to news outlets, academic journals, conference sessions, and occasionally social media to determine what trends will resonate with academics in the long term. I would also add the importance of being adaptable. Especially now, with the rise of AI, the industry is constantly changing, and growing with those shifts can determine the longevity of one’s success.
What motivates you in your work? What keeps you passionate about your role in scholarly publishing?
My team is my #1 motivator! Whether it’s by referring fellow authors or sharing best practices, everyone supports and looks out for each other in any way possible. We are a group that strongly believes that one person’s win contributes to the success of our entire team. I also continue to stay passionate about scholarly publishing because of my identity as a lifelong learner. I constantly search for ways to grow my knowledge of the world, and what better way to do so than by spending my workday reading about current events and new and emerging trends in academia.
How do you balance your professional and personal life? Any fun facts or hobbies outside of scholarly communications?
As a remote employee, finding a work-life balance can be challenging. There are certainly days when I forget to take breaks and burn out quicker than I would like. Additionally, as the daughter of two hardworking immigrants who were constantly hustling, I grew up thinking that work should always take priority. But since starting my career in publishing, I’ve had amazing mentors and managers who have demonstrated the value of taking time off and keeping a healthy work-life balance. Recently, I became a yoga instructor and have made it a point to teach evening classes. This forces me to shut my laptop and focus on something completely different. It also complements remote work, allowing me to develop organic relationships with my students and fellow teachers that I often miss out on working from home. In the event that I’m not teaching a class, I try to find a change of scenery, either by going on a walk or burying my head in a good novel.
