Behind the scenes: Life as an editorial assistant

The following is a reflective examination about serving as an editorial assistant at Communication Monographs. Compiled from the individual experiences of four different editorial assistants over a two-year period, it provides insight into a well known but not often publically discussed role in academic publishing. Although the role of editorial assistant may vary somewhat from journal to journal, core responsibilities and experiences are presented. Reflections of the numerous academic and professional benefits are also discussed. Additionally, areas of personal growth, challenges encountered, and recommendations are provided. The goal of this article is to provide an understanding of the editorial assistant role, its benefits, its challenges, and the importance of this unique opportunity for aspiring communication academics.