A minor in creative writing (or fiction, or non-fiction, or playwriting, or poetry) can open up many doors for you. It’s possible to go on to become a professional in the field, or at least have a very happy and successful career in writing. So here are just a few examples of what you can do with this degree. You might like one or two of these ideas, and they may inspire you to pursue a degree in creative writing.
Career Opportunities
The first thing you should do after you graduate is look for a job. It’s likely that you’ll need to start at the very bottom, but it’s also likely that you’ll be able to move up quickly. If you score well on the test, you can even find yourself in a senior role within a few years. There are dozens of highly-paid positions available for people with a degree in creative writing. Just make sure that you put your name on the list of candidates, and then be prepared to negotiate to get the job that you want.
Travel
If you want to travel the world and see the incredible sights that the Earth has to offer, being a creative writer is a great way to go about it. Many people with a minor in creative writing end up working as ghostwriters for travel blogs. You get paid to travel to exotic locations and just fill in the blanks with some fantastic stories. Some of these locations may be off-limits to normal tourists, so you’ll get to experience the adventure of a lifetime. While you’re at it, why not take a semester or a summer off to travel? It’s possible that you may not even need to go back to school to do it. With all the online universities that exist, it’s possible to earn a degree while you travel the globe and soak up as much culture as you can.
Start A Publishing Company
If you love to write and are passionate about a particular topic, it’s possible to start a publishing company on the side. Hire some help from professors who know how to run a business, and then focus on growing your company until you’re able to land a multi-million dollar contract. If you’re able to secure just one, it will be a phenomenal accomplishment.
Teach At A University
If you’re genuinely passionate about teaching others, it’s possible to go back to school and earn a master’s degree in teaching. Once you have your degree, it’s possible to teach any course that you want at a university. It’s highly likely that you’ll be able to find a job at a private university, as well. It’s also possible to teach at a community college. In many cases, it’s even possible to teach online. The only thing you need is a decent microphone, a computer, and a good teaching attitude. Your enthusiasm for teaching might even inspire someone to offer you a job.
Become A Freelancer
If you’ve got a skill that you’re passionate about, such as photography, or drawing, or painting, or any other form of artistic expression, you can become a freelancer and sell your work to companies and individuals who want to purchase art. Some of these opportunities might even become available after you graduate. It’s possible to find yourself working for a major publication, or even a newspaper, as a fact-checking freelancer. Many big organizations have an in-house creative writing department, and they often hire freelancers to write for them. If you’re able to secure just one, it will be a phenomenal accomplishment.
Get A Book Published
Even if you don’t write in your spare time, it’s possible to get a book published. Many times, writers will have a friend or family member who is also a good friend of a publisher. If you can land a contract with a publisher, it’s possible to get your work out to the public in the form of a paperback or hardcover book. The royalties from a book can be a wonderful addition to your writer’s income. If you follow the correct procedure, you may even be able to get a small advance against that royalty income. Getting a book published isn’t as hard as you might think it is. All you need is the will to write the first draft, and then some networking skills.
Direct Your Own Web-Based Project
If you have a specific topic that you want to research and write about, you can use your own website to collect information and then write your own article on the subject. This type of project can be very educational, and it’ll also expose you to a variety of topics that you may not have learned about in school. Plus, you can always add links and visuals to make the information more accessible to your audience.
Get A Film Made
If you have a passion for a particular topic, it’s possible to get a film made about it. Many times, these films are put together by people with a background in visual arts who also happen to be great filmmakers. If you’ve got a specific topic that you want to write about, it’s possible to find a filmmaker who is also interested in your topic. Working with a creative team like this can result in a winning outcome.
The sky is the limit in terms of what you can do with a minor in creative writing. It’s possible to become a professional in the field, have a very happy and successful career, or even find yourself traveling the world. Just make sure that you put your name on the list of candidates, and then be prepared to negotiate and ask for what you want. Good luck out there!