A creative writing degree can open a lot of doors. You will be able to acquire a well-paying job in any field you choose. You do not necessarily need to know which field is right for you before you get your creative writing degree, so it is best to just go for it. There is a lot of flexibility in terms of career, so you can develop your own path as you go along. If you need some inspiration on the types of jobs available, you can check out our article on the top 10 job titles that can be traced back to a creative writing degree.
Journalist
Being a journalist is one of the most in-demand careers out there, and it can be traced back to the early part of the 20th century, when prominent journalists would tour the United States interviewing notable figures from the worlds of politics, culture, and the military. For the most part, journalists will be responsible for gathering and reporting news stories, although the job can vary widely from one journalist to the next. If you want to go into journalism, then the best thing for you to do would be to get a degree in communication or media studies.
Aside from being an in-demand profession, journalism also offers a lot of flexibility. You will typically need to register with your local newspaper or magazine as a freelancer, so it is a good idea to get a head start in this field while you are still a student. It is possible to do in-demand freelance work even as a non-professional, so if you can get some experience under your belt while still in school, then why not? If you want to pursue this option, then be sure to check out our guide on how to be the best writer you can be, perfect your pitch, and get your work published.
Literary Agent
Literary agents are often considered to be the middlemen between publishers and authors. If you are unfamiliar, literary agents will usually take a cut of the contracts (usually a percentage) your clients sign with publishers. In return, agents are able to provide guidance and advice to clients on how to write and publish their books.
While there is certainly a lot of flexibility in terms of what a literary agent does (they can act as an editor, pitch writer, or marketing strategist, among other things), most will work within the field of fiction or non-fiction writing. If you decide to go this route, then you should look into getting a graduate degree in English literature or communications.
Editor
An editor is often considered to be a literary agent’s assistant, but you get the point: in an ideal world, an editor’s job is to make sure a manuscript is polished and ready to be published. They will usually work with a copy editor and a graphic designer to do this. Aside from being responsible for getting the word out about your book, an editor will usually be required to search for markets and find publishers willing to take a chance on your work. If you want to be an editor, then be sure to follow our lead and get a graduate degree in English literature or communications.
Marketing Executive
A marketing executive is someone who is responsible for coordinating media placements and promotions for a product or service. They will usually be responsible for coming up with the overarching marketing strategy for a brand or company, and then executing that strategy through various mediums, such as websites, social media, and email marketing. While the responsibilities of a marketing executive can vary from one firm to the next, the ideal candidate will have a solid background in marketing, communications, or public relations.
Aside from being responsible for disseminating information about your brand or product, a marketing executive will also be required to conduct research on your intended audience and then devise individualized strategies to achieve a specific goal.
Copy Editor
A copy editor is someone who works with an author to make sure the content of their books is presented in the best possible way. They will usually work with a graphic designer and a proofreader to make sure the manuscript is free of spelling errors and grammatical inaccuracies. Most copy editors will also need to be familiar with a range of software such as Microsoft Word and Google Docs so they can manipulate text to create professional-looking book manuscripts.
If you are looking to pursue this career path, then you should look into getting a graduate degree in English literature or communications. Not only will this help you to become a better writer, but you will also be able to find a job in a field related to your chosen degree.
Proofreader
A proofreader is someone who works with an author to make sure the contents of their books are presented in the best possible way. They will usually work with a graphic designer and an indexer to make sure the text is free of technical errors and then formatted in the correct way for the target audience. Aside from ensuring the text is error-free, a proofreader will also be responsible for formatting and naming the individual chapters and then preparing them for publication.
If you are looking to pursue this career path, then you should look into getting a graduate degree in English literature or communications. Not only will this help you to become a better writer, but you will also be able to find a job in a field related to your chosen degree.
Social Media Manager
A social media manager is someone who creates content for users on social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook and then manages the accounts of various brands or businesses. They will usually need to be familiar with a range of apps and platforms, including but not limited to:
- YouTube
If you are looking to pursue this path, then you should look into getting a graduate degree in English literature or communications. Not only will this help you to become a better writer, but you will also be able to find a job in a field related to your chosen degree.
Graphic Designer
A graphic designer is someone who creates the visual identity and marketing material for a brand or business. They will usually work with a copy editor, web designer, and a content specialist to create a coherent look for online and off-line material, including logos, websites, packaging, and apps. A graphic designer is responsible for making the text and images work together seamlessly.
If you are looking to pursue this career path, then you should look into getting a graduate degree in English literature or communications. Not only will this help you to become a better writer, but you will also be able to find a job in a field related to your chosen degree.
Content Specialist
A content specialist is someone who creates content for websites, social media platforms, or other online media channels. They will usually need to be familiar with a range of software such as Microsoft Word and Google Docs so they can manipulate text to create marketing material and press releases, for example.
If you are looking to pursue this career path, then you should look into getting a graduate degree in English literature or communications. Not only will this help you to become a better writer, but you will also be able to find a job in a field related to your chosen degree.
Web Designer
A web designer is someone who creates the look and feel of a web page or website. They will usually need to be knowledgeable in a range of software including but not limited to:
- Photoshop
- Web browser
- HTML
- CSS
- Javascript
- Tablet and mobile UI design
- Design principles
- Accessibility
- Responsive design
If you are looking to pursue this career path, then you should look into getting a graduate degree in English literature or communications. Not only will this help you to become a better writer, but you will also be able to find a job in a field related to your chosen degree.
Marketing Strategist
A marketing strategist is someone who creates and implements marketing plans for a product or service. Aside from coming up with the overarching marketing strategy for a brand or company, a marketing strategist will need to identify the specific goals and objectives of the campaign, and then devise the appropriate methods to achieve those goals. They work closely with a digital marketer and software engineer to ensure the strategy is carried out efficiently and effectively.