If you love to write and understand human behavior, then a creative writing degree is the right choice for you! You will become a more valuable employee as you gain experience, and after graduating, you can look for a job in almost any field. There are many creative writing degrees to choose from, so you can tailor your studies to fit your career goals. Take a look at some of the most in-demand jobs for writers and the valuable skills that you will learn along the way:
Accountant
The demand for public accountants is expected to increase by 6% in the next five years, and many large public accounting firms have already begun to hire. You will learn about financial accounting and how to prepare tax returns, which are valuable skills for an accountant. You will also study business structures and how they impact business functions such as ownership and management. Finally, you will build your professional skills by completing additional courses in tax law, auditing, and other areas. You can further tailor your studies by getting a Masters in Public Accountancy, with the option to earn up to three additional years of work experience. With a writing degree, you will have many career options when you graduate. You can become a business journalist, covering news stories about companies and current affairs. You can work for a company itself, doing written reports and handling internal communications or you can become a freelancer, providing business-related writing services to companies both large and small.
Advertising Account Manager
Advertisers are looking for people with a knowledge of both marketing and communications to help them develop and implement marketing strategies. You will examine consumer behavior and culture, identifying trends and analyzing market shares. You will develop strong skills in copywriting and editing, creating ads that catch people’s attention and motivate them to action. Additionally, you will work on projects with ad agencies, gaining valuable experience that will help you land a job in this exciting field. The demand for advertising account managers is expected to increase by 14% in the next five years, so if you want to work in adverts, you can start building your career now!
Editor
Editors are in great demand, not just because they can do important fact-checking and copy-editing, but also because they can help writers with their work. Whether you love to write short stories, write creatively for magazines, or simply want to become a better writer, an editing course will teach you the skills you need to succeed in this area. You will learn how to look at a piece of text in a way that will make the reader feel something, whether it is joy, curiosity, or anxiety. You will develop the important skills of analysis, synthesis, and judgment, enabling you to become a more effective writer and editor.
Management Consultant
Many people start their career in consulting, either by becoming a business or economic consultant or by starting their own business consulting firm. You will study business concepts like leadership and strategy, in addition to gaining exposure to real-life situations through case studies and through group work. This will help you prepare for a role in a consulting firm, where you will analyze businesses, develop strategies, and present conclusions and proposals to senior management. Your degree will not only give you the essential skills you need to get a job in this field, but it will also put you ahead of the competition.
Public Relations Officer
Public relations officers (PROs) work for non-profit organizations, governmental agencies, and multinational corporations, carrying out tasks such as media and stakeholder communication, event planning, and branding. You will learn about the different types of PR pro’s (i.e., communications, events, and media), the different platforms they use (i.e., digital and social media), and the various issues they face (i.e., finding balance between PR and corporate communications). Additionally, you will study issues surrounding stakeholder engagement and the impact that different media have on an audience, enabling you to become a more effective PR officer.
Journalist
Journalists can get their hands on all kinds of interesting stories, from politics to sports, arts, and business. Although the demand for journalists is expected to decrease by 1% in the next five years, many occupations remain extremely in-demand, including: journalist, TV news producer, newspaper editor, and foreign correspondent. Your degree will not only put you ahead of the competition, but it will also give you the skills you need to pursue your chosen job, whether it is in a firm, a nonprofit organization, or even a media group. You can get a job as a business or government journalist, filing articles and reports for news outlets or starting your own newspaper, magazine, or web publication. There will always be stories to cover, and with a journalistic degree, you will be able to find them!
Copywriter
Copywriters create marketing material like advertisements, brochures, and websites, pitching ideas to target audiences to encourage them to act or make a purchase. You will learn how to craft a pitch that will make the reader (or listener or viewer) interested in your product or service, while maintaining a professional tone. You will learn both creative and technical writing skills, copy editing, and keyword research. Finally, you will study the advertising market, analyzing trends and shares in key demographics, to provide valuable insight to your clients.
Technical Writer
With the world rapidly changing, companies are looking for people with technical expertise to draft technical documents, like product datasheets, installation instructions, and more. You will learn how to take complex information and present it in a simple and straightforward manner, using specialized language and examples relevant to digital technology, programming, and other areas. Additionally, you will need to have a good understanding of the technology, programming language, and terms used, enabling you to break down complex tasks into easy-to-understand steps. If you are looking for a new challenge, and want to work in a field where you can use your technical expertise, then technical writing is the field for you!
There are many exciting opportunities out there for you, with the choice of creative writing degree being only limited by your imagination. You can even create your own degree, combining your interests and gaining valuable experience alongside your studies. In doing so, you will set yourself apart from the competition, and ensure that you stand out in the workplace.