If you’re interested in getting into the publishing industry be sure to register for UB’s Publishing Careers Alumni Panel Discussion (Virtual) October 23rd, 4 p.m. on Bullseye powered by Handshake. You will get access to the Zoom link and be sent a recording of the session even if you can’t attend live.

Although he won’t be on the October 23rd alumni panel retired publishing sales professional and UB alum James Jordan answered questions about his time at Sage Publishing and his career path.

1)  What did you do in your day to day job at Sage Publishing?

Most recently, I was involved in sales and promotion of Sage’s online educational content: speaking to potential users, facilitating the implementation of content in learning management systems such as Canvas and Blackboard. All of my career has been on the sales side of textbook publishing.

2)  What was your educational background and how did it influence your career path?

BA in English. I started in 1973 but ran out of steam (and financial aid) in 1977. I finally graduated in January 1986. Was in retail management initially, a job I detested: many hours and low pay. Found a book called What To Do With an English Degree Besides Teach which mentioned textbook sales as an option. Did some reaching out to a whole bunch of publishers before latching onto a sales reps job in Western NY with Houghton Mifflin (Curious George, Silent Spring, Handmaiden’s Tale.) Worked for HM throughout the northeast in various sales & management positions for 27 years. SAGE Publishing for 7 before retiring in 2022.

Degree influenced my career path only in the sense that I felt that as an English major who loved reading and books, I should be in publishing.

3)  What organizations, clubs or internships were you involved in during college?

I contributed 1 concert review to the Spectrum.

4) Looking back, what, if anything, do you wish you would have known when you were just starting out?

Look beyond the company you are working at for your next career step. People develop an opinion of what your capabilities are and often you can’t overcome that. Moving to another company can give you the chance to re-create yourself and offer you new challenges.

5)  What are the biggest challenges that you typically face in your career?

As a sales rep, consistently making sales goals. As a sales manager, hiring and firing people, being an effective leader.

6)  What advice do you have for anyone that would want to pursue a career in publishing?

Start anywhere as an assistant- editorial, marketing, production. Very few people have been trained to be in publishing, even in those expensive publishing courses offered by Columbia. It’s “learn on the job.” Many high profile executives have started at the bottom and worked their way up. Subscribe to Publishers Weekly daily emails. Lots of good info on the current state of the industry. It posts open positions on its job board.

7)   If a UB student wanted to talk with you, what is the best way to reach you?

Email jjordan370@yahoo.com to set up a time to talk.

James Jordan can also be found on Connect-a-Bull, UB’s alumni-student networking platform.