If you’re reading this, I assume you’re either preparing for or have already begun your Associates degree in Creative Writing. If not, why not? It’s a really popular program, and one that you can apply to almost any field. However, once you have your degree, what can you do with it? Let’s take a look.
Where Can You Go With an Associates Degree In Creative Writing?
If you’re looking for a job, you’ll most likely have to look elsewhere for assistance. The best and most popular jobs that come with an Associates degree in Creative Writing are either publishing or journalism. If you’re in the middle of your studies and need a break, you can look into these professions, but if you’re planning to go out into the world and try to make it big, you might want to consider something else.
The thing about creative writing is that it’s subjective. In other words, you’ll be writing a lot of short stories and poems, and a lot of what you produce will be on a pure creative level; however, a lot of the assignments you get will require you to prove yourself with some critical thinking. If you’re not used to being critical of your work, this can be a bit of a daunting task. You’ll have to get used to being a lot more objective, and for that, you’ll have to learn to love numbers.
What Can You Do with a Publishing or Journalism Degree?
If you went the traditional route and earned an associates degree in Creative Writing, you’ll be landing yourself in the field of publishing. However, if you went the extra mile and got a degree in journalism, you can land yourself a job at a major news publication. In either case, you’ll be writing, editing, and/or pitching a variety of articles to a variety of publications. In both cases, you’ll work hard, but you won’t have to work too hard. Your job will either be providing content for others or, if you’re pitching, convincing a publication to give your story and offering some critical feedback as a part of the deal.
The Downsides of an Associates Degree in Creative Writing
While a degree in Creative Writing can be a good start, it’s not exactly the end-all be-all when it comes to getting a job. As I mentioned, a lot of the jobs you’ll land yourself will require you to do some critical thinking, and for that, you’ll have to get used to being objective and a problem solver. You won’t have special training in these areas, so it’ll be up to you to tackle this part of your education. Getting a degree in Creative Writing is also not going to make or break your career. It’s a good start, but you’ll most likely still have to look for other qualifications and interests as well.
There are a few other things you should know about a Degree in Creative Writing, and maybe a few things you should avoid. One of the biggest things is that a lot of employers and graduate schools don’t value the degree as much as they value the person. In other words, a lot of the time, it’s more about the person and their experience rather than the degree itself. It can be really intimidating, especially if you’re looking for employment, to send out applications with no experience and little knowledge of what you’re doing. In order to give yourself the best shot at getting a job, you might want to consider getting some professional experience before you even begin your studies.
Summary
A degree in Creative Writing can be a good start to your schooling, especially if you want to become a writer. It’s a very popular program with a variety of jobs available. If you’re looking for employment, you might want to consider looking into a publishing degree or a journalism degree. Alternatively, if you’re doing your studies and need a break, try looking into creative writing as a way of expressing your thoughts and ideas. Even if you don’t end up getting a job in Creative Writing, it’s still a really good degree to have, and it’ll certainly look good on your resume.