You’ve probably heard the expression ‘career path’, and wondered what it meant. Well, a career path is the steps that you take to get from A to B in your chosen profession. The journey can be a little tricky, and you might not end up where you expected to. A career path can be influenced by a variety of factors, like your family, your friends, your teachers, the books you read, and the media they in which you’re exposed to. It can be challenging to understand exactly what a career path for a writer might look like, and how to achieve it. That’s what this post is all about. Here, we’ll discuss the job prospects for a teenage writer, and what you might do next – whether you’re passionate about writing or not.
The Best Job in the World
With so much positive feedback, why should you even consider a writing career? Let’s face it, being a writer is an incredible job. You get to do what you love, and get paid for it. Some of the best-known writers in history (Shakespeare, Dickens, and Hemingway are all considered among the greatest of all time) began their careers as unpaid apprentices, learning the trade on the job. Back in the day, a large number of men and women learned to write by copying out lengthy correspondence. It was considered a prestigious job, and a young person’s dream.
These days, however, things are a little different. The digital age has taken its toll, and while there are still plenty of opportunities for would-be writers, the jobs aren’t as easily accessible as they used to be. That’s why it’s important to figure out what a career in writing actually entails, and how to get there. Keep reading for more details.
The Difference Between a MFA and a BA
A Master of Fine Arts (MFA) is an advanced degree that can only be obtained after you’ve completed a graduate program in writing. It’s a popular choice for those who want to become professional writers, or for those who have already published a book and are looking to further their education. With an MFA, you will typically learn how to take a single idea, and develop it into a full-blown piece. You’ll also learn how to structure a piece of writing to achieve the best possible readability. In addition to this, you will learn a variety of literary devices that you can use to further the story. Finally, you’ll gain valuable experience by taking on part-time work while you complete your studies.
A Bachelor of Arts (BA) is a degree that can be obtained after you’ve completed a standard four-year college program. The only real difference between a BA and an MFA is that while an MFA requires you to have already published a work, a BA doesn’t. Many people, particularly those who want to become professional writers, choose to obtain a BA so as to have a wider array of job options. With a BA, you will learn the craft of writing, including the basics of grammar, syntax, and punctuation. You will also learn how to develop your writing style, and gain experience by taking on part-time work while you complete your studies.
Both a BA and an MFA provide you with an incredible education and opportunities for future growth, and can only be considered as good choices for those who want to become writers. It’s important to remember, however, that not all writing degrees lead to lucrative careers. You have to be prepared to perform well in school, and to put in the hard work required to achieve your goals.
The Traditional Way
For those who are already at an age where they can begin to consider their career path, getting an education and training to become a writer is undoubtedly a challenging and rewarding prospect. One of the most important things for a writer to do is to learn how to write. Even if you’ve always considered yourself to be a good writer, it can still be quite the art to put it all into practice. Luckily, there is a rather traditional way to obtain a writing degree. For those who have an innate talent for writing, and who want to dedicate themselves to furthering their education, the route to obtaining a degree in English (or another related subject) is a relatively easy one. All they need to do is to write and submit an essay on a given topic, participate in class discussions, and complete some sort of academic project.
The only downside to this particular route is that it doesn’t provide you with any practical experience, aside from what you learn in class. If you want to become a professional writer, you will have to look elsewhere for your experience. One option is to take a full-time job, while you continue your education part-time. Another is to join a creative writing group, and get immersed in writing activities. Finally, it’s always an option to tutor, and gain experience by helping others to write. Just remember, you will be at the mercy of others’ courses and schedules, so make sure that you’re comfortable with the arrangement before you sign up for anything.
Getting A Work-Life Balance
For many, the attraction of a writing career is the potential for flexibility. Being a writer is very different to holding down a 9-5 job. You get to set your own work hours, and there are usually a lot of hours in the day when you’re not actually writing. It’s an incredibly unique way to earn an income, and it can be quite the adventure. Your life will change forever once you make the decision to dedicate yourself to an education and a writing career. While it’s usually not a problem to find the time to write, it can be very hard to find the time to live your life. That’s why it’s important to make sure that you’re doing this for the right reasons. If you feel that you’re not, then it might be time to consider other options.
In conclusion, it’s important to remember that while a career in writing can be immensely rewarding, it’s also quite a difficult one to break into. If you’re passionate about writing, however, then it’s certainly an option to consider. Just make sure that you’re prepared to put in the hard work, and make the necessary sacrifices. Good luck out there.