If you have a knack for crafty writing and have always dreamed about writing for magazines but never thought you’d actually get the chance, then you’ve come to the right place. Below we’ve put together a list of some of the most in-demand job titles for a creative writing major. These are the careers you can expect to find yourself on after graduation.
Magazine Editor
No matter what kind of writer you are, you’ll need to become proficient in editing articles for publication. You may start out as an assistant editor, taking on small tasks such as copy editing and fact checking. As you gain experience, you might be asked to take on bigger projects. If you’re passionate about a certain subject, then you might be offered the chance to write an article on it. With so many responsibilities, you’ll need to be confident enough to pitch ideas to higher-ups and be able to work well under pressure.
Journalist
A career in journalism requires you to be versatile and agile in terms of your writing. You’ll need to be able to multitask while performing basic research, following up on leads, and pitching story ideas to higher-ups. Getting a foothold in journalism can be tricky, as you’ll need to prove yourself by publishing a variety of content ranging from short-form articles to web content and TV spots. Once you’ve established yourself, you can work your way up to bigger and better stories. While you might start out primarily as a reporter, you might also end up editing or producing a story for a major publication. Even if you don’t end up in a position of power, as a journalist you will be perceived as having power.
Copy Editor
If you’re a fast typer and love to edit words, then a career as a copy editor might be for you. As a copy editor, you’ll be given a piece of content and tasked with fixing up spelling errors, clarifying difficult words and phrases, and making sure that everything is consistent in terms of style and tone. If you’re able to take criticism in your stride and make an objective assessment of your work, then this is the type of job you might aspire to. Think of this as editing for correctness instead of creativity, but with the freedom to be as creative as you like within the limits of the material you’re working with.
Chief Editor
If you love to edit and have an eye for detail, then you might consider a career as a chief editor. As the head editor of a publication, you’ll be responsible for establishing editorial standards, overseeing the production process, and making sure that the product is of a high quality. You’ll need to have excellent communication skills both written and verbal, as well as a passion for the subject matter you’re covering. If you think you have what it takes to be a successful chief editor, then don’t hesitate to apply for the position. As an added bonus, you’ll get to work with some of the top writers in the industry. If you don’t get the opportunity to write for a living, at least you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing that your work is being used by others.
Online Editor
If you have a good feeling about yourself and want to take a stab at becoming the editor of a digital publication, then an online editor position might be for you. Depending on the size of the publication, you might start out as an assistant editor, taking on small tasks such as fact checking and copy editing. As you gain experience, you might be asked to take on larger projects. One of the biggest differences between an online editor and a traditional one is that the latter usually assumes a more passive role, focusing more on content creation than content management. This is a role that might suit you if you want to work in a content-oriented environment and have a good feeling about yourself.
Features Editor
A features editor’s job is to take a look at a product (such as a magazine or a newspaper) and provide readers with content that is both interesting and informative. For this reason, a features editor often works closely with the product manager and the rest of the editorial team to ensure that the material is both relevant and appropriate. If you’re interested in writing about a specific topic, then this is a job title that can get you there. If you don’t mind getting your hands dirty, then this is an ideal position for you. You’ll need to be able to deal with sensitive issues in a mature and professional manner but will also get to delve into the details of a product you’re not familiar with. So, as you can see, there are a variety of occupations for creative writing majors. While none of these positions might satisfy your ambitions completely, at least they can get you closer than you might think.