It’s no secret that higher education is facing a talent shortage. In particular, there’s a growing demand for teachers in the fields of literature, creative writing, and journalism, and schools are struggling to meet this demand. In fact, the job prospects for 2019 look incredibly bleak. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, teaching job prospects are projected to drop by 6% in 2019 compared to 2018. What’s more, teachers will only be able to secure employment in certain areas, such as literature and journalism, and even then, many schools are struggling to fill their seats. If you’re looking for a way to make a lasting impact on the world and find long-term employment, consider a career in creative writing or journalism!
Why Are Schools Seeking Teachers in These Fields?
The coronavirus pandemic had a large impact on the higher education world. In many ways, it acted as a catalyst for change. The pandemic meant that higher education institutions had to close down, and many of them are still trying to adjust to a new normal. During the pandemic, schools turned to online learning, which enabled them to keep the teachers and students connected while also enabling more flexibility in the job search. As a result of the pandemic, higher education institutions are seeking to hire English teachers, for instance, since many of their majors suddenly became somewhat redundant. For creative writing and journalism majors, there was suddenly a huge demand for content creators, who can produce engaging and original content for online publications.
These are just a few examples of how the pandemic had a large impact on higher education. What’s more, the pandemic has increased the demand for teachers in these fields, which will continue to be in high demand for years to come. With regards to creative writing, for example, the NY Times predicts that demand for creative writing instructors will increase by 18% between 2020 and 2025.
Is There Plenty of Room for You in This Market?
Yes! In fact, there are currently a number of positions available for teachers in this field, especially in creative writing and journalism, and the demand is expected to only increase. According to the NASET Job Outlook 2021, 66.7% of faculty members who responded to the survey reported that they were either somewhat or very confident of finding a job in their desired field in the next 12 months.
What’s more, many schools are experiencing a teacher hiring boom, which has led to increased competition for the limited number of available teaching positions. This should come as no surprise since many of the job openings are in high-demand fields that typically require a bachelor’s degree or higher. To ensure you stand out from the competition, consider developing a solid portfolio of your work. Not only will this demonstrate to the school that you’re qualified for the job, but it will also show your initiative and interest in becoming a creative writing or journalism teacher.
What Specialties Might You Need to Have to Become a Teacher in These Fields?
In order to teach creative writing in college, you will need a creative writing degree. However, it is not uncommon for teachers to have additional training in areas such as literature or journalism, both of which are essential for this job. What’s more, you will also need to have patience and be able to engage with students, especially if you’re teaching online courses. In terms of the specifics of the education, you will need to have a bachelor’s degree in English, with a minor in one of the following: creative writing, journalism, or literature. Alternatively, you could get your master’s degree and teach English as a second language or special education.
To become a journalism teacher, you will need a master’s degree in journalism. For English teachers who want to teach creative writing, you will need a bachelor’s degree in English and a minor in one of the following: writing, literature, or communication. You can also use your bachelor’s degree to get an Ed.D. and become a school leader or administrator. In terms of the specifics of the teaching, you will need to have a proven record of success in college or the job market. To get started, you can take a look at the New York Times Jobs website – they regularly update it with new openings. Similarly, the USA Today Jobs website is another popular source of teaching opportunities. And don’t forget about Parchment, too, which connects you with colleges and universities that are seeking students and graduates for their teaching programs.
What Jobs are available?
The number of available jobs in these fields varies from school to school, but it’s always a good idea to look at the specific requirements of each position. For example, some schools may require a specific number of years of experience, while others may require a bachelor’s degree or higher. What’s more, you should also search for jobs based on the region you want to work in. And while many schools may not have specific requirements for the position, it never hurts to have some professional qualifications!
Depending on your chosen specialty, you may find more opportunities in one area than another. For example, if you have a journalism degree and you’re looking for a position in public relations or corporate communications, you may find more opportunities in that area than creative writing. You should also check out careerbuilder.com – it’s a good place to search for jobs based on your chosen specialty and the type of school you’d like to work at.
What Will You Need to Stand Out From the Crowd?
To stand out from the crowd, you will need to prove that you are, indeed, qualified to teach in these fields. To do this, you can develop a solid portfolio of your work. The portfolio should include sample writings or journalistic pieces that you’ve published, as well as course samples that you’ve developed or modified for your own teaching. What’s more, you should also look to develop a teaching schedule as soon as possible, since many schools will only grant you tenure, or give you an unlimited contract, if they see you as a committed and reliable teacher who can meet the demands of the position. What’s more, if you meet the qualifications, you may also be able to secure a graduate assistant position, where you can get valuable experience before you begin your tenure-track position.
If you’d like to get a taste of what it’s like to teach in a college environment, you can take a look at this helpful video from The New School – it provides an insight into what the recruitment process for a creative writing teacher might look like.
In summary, if you’re seeking a job in a related field and you meet the qualifications, you can expect to find a number of job opportunities, especially in creative writing, journalism, and literature. There’s no question that the world is a better place because of the work of journalists, novelists, and creative writers, and the demand for their services will only continue to rise as universities adjust to a new normal and seek to provide students with more learning opportunities.