Creative writing is all around us. Whether it’s found in novels, plays, or short stories, it features heavily in many people’s daily lives. If you’re looking for a career in writing, there are undoubtedly many questions you need to ask yourself. How many people major in creative writing? Is there really a place for everyone who wants to write? Perhaps most importantly, how should you go about deciding what kind of writing you want to do? We will here discuss the academic and career prospects of those who study creative writing, identifying the strengths and weaknesses of various degrees, as well as analyzing the jobs available to graduates.
The Biggest Degree Offering in Creative Writing
It’s safe to assume that if you’re reading this, you’re either a student or a graduate looking for your next step in life. Perhaps one of the most popular choices for those seeking to gain an understanding of creative writing is the M.F.A in Creative Writing. Designed to train students in both creative and critical thinking, alongside practical skills such as writing and research, this degree gives you a well-rounded education from which to launch your career. More than 80% of students who have completed the program go on to secure full-time employment within six months of graduation.
The downside is that while the program does offer a diverse range of options and flexibility with regards to the type of work you can do once you graduate, it also tends to attract students who are already confident and experienced in creative writing. This means that if you don’t have any experience yourself, you’ll likely have to settle for a job in one of the less than desirable careers associated with creative writing. Notable examples include literary agent, editor, or marketing director. If you’re looking for a career in publishing, this may not be the best option for you.
Career Prospects For Creative Writers
With so much talk of fiction and dramatic writing, you might assume that those who study creative writing only have work opportunities in the creative sphere. While this may be the case for undergraduate degrees, it certainly isn’t the case for post-graduate studies. This is because even after you graduate, you may not know where you’ll end up in your career. There are, however, some clear trends and job descriptions associated with creative writing. Here we will discuss the various opportunities available to those who study and specialize in the subject.
Advertising And Promotions
With print, radio, and television advertisements becoming more of a thing of the past, companies now turn to websites, blogs, and social media to reach potential customers. Thus, those who can write compelling copy for advertisements and promotions are in high demand. Perhaps the most in-demand of all jobs associated with creative writing is that of a copywriter. If you’re looking to get your foot in the door, this is one of the most accessible options. With over 10,000 job vacancies available, it’s clear that there’s a huge demand for people with this skill-set.
This is a fantastic opportunity for those who do well in school and have a talent for languages. The job requires some knowledge of both English and French, the two most commonly used languages in advertising. While it’s not essential that you’re bilingual, it certainly helps. From creating advertisements to writing press releases, copywriters need to be versatile and familiar with both English and French.
Editing
Once you’ve written your novel or play, it’s time to find an editor. This person will review your work and either suggest improvements or offer encouragement. Depending on the nature of the suggestions, the editor will either be an asset or a hindrance to your work. Whether you’re looking for an experienced reader to share your vision with, or you want someone to brutally point out the weak and unoriginal parts of your writing, finding the right editor for you is essential.
If you’re fortunate enough to have found a good one at the beginning of your career, you’ll likely be able to build a strong working relationship with them. This can be invaluable, particularly if you’re looking to get your novel or play staged or published. While it’s obviously not a good idea to get too attached to your work, you should feel comfortable sharing it with the person who will be helping to bring it to life on the printed page (or the stage). In the end, you’ll both be better for it.
Marketing
Even before you begin your career, it’s important to establish your identity as a brand. For example, if you’re a fashion blogger, you could start a fashion blog or vlog to build your identity as a style-savvy content creator. Depending on the type of content you create, you could also explore more traditional forms of marketing, such as print or radio advertisements. Even if you choose to forego traditional marketing and go straight to digital or social media, you’ll still need to establish a brand for yourself.
Marketing is all around us. Whether it’s found in a magazine article, an ad on a phone, or a tweet from a brand account, we’re constantly bombarded with marketing material. If you’re looking for a career in marketing, it would be smart to consider a brand manager’s role, which involves creating and enforcing marketing plans across a range of platforms.
The Degrees Available To You
Now that you’re armed with a good idea of what careers are available to you as a creative writer, it’s time to decide on which one you should pursue. There are four main things to consider: the cost of the degree, the length of the program, what city or region you want to live in, and whether or not you want to specialize in a certain field.
The first thing to consider is the cost of the degree. While it’s great to want to study something that’s going to further your career, you have to consider the cost–particularly if you’re a student on a budget. You’ll be required to pay for a private room, as well as tuition and course materials. It’s also important to research whether or not there are any scholarships available for creative writing degrees. Many universities and colleges offer scholarships for students demonstrating financial need. You should also think about whether or not you want a full-time or part-time schedule. Most M.F.A. programs in creative writing require a significant amount of course work and are therefore either full-time or part-time. If you’re the type of person who can handle schoolwork part-time, you might consider taking on more advanced courses or even moving to a cheaper city or state. If you’re looking for a full-time job, however, you might be better off choosing a more traditional route.
The Length of the Program
If you’re new to the idea of pursuing an education and are worried about the cost, you might be tempted to look for the shortest of short-cuts. The M.F.A. in Creative Writing is quite a lengthy program – typically around 60-64 weeks in length. While this may sound like a lot of time off work, you should consider the length of the program in context. Remember, there’s a lot of learning involved in getting this degree, and in many cases there’s a lot of coursework that has to be completed outside of class. If you’re looking for a quick-fix degree that will land you a job quickly, you might consider exploring online degrees. There are a number of accredited universities that offer Bachelors and M.F.A.s in Creative Writing online. If you’re looking for a traditional, face-to-face learning environment, however, you may have to look beyond the U.S. There are a number of fellowships and scholarships specifically designed for study in other countries.
Where Do I Want To Live
If you’re looking for a career in publishing, you might want to consider looking in a city or region where there are a lot of book-related jobs. London, New York, and Paris are among the most common places where one can find such opportunities. When it comes to choosing where to live, it’s important to think about a number of factors – including the cost of living, the quality of the education, and the climate. If you’re not sure where to begin your search, consider looking at all the different cities and regions, not just those in your alma mater’s home state. Not all the information may be available online, but it’s still worth looking at all the different guides and blogs for an idea of what’s going on in the cities and regions you’re interested in.