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What Kind of Job Can I Get With a Creative Writing Degree?

If you’re looking for a career change, you can start by considering what kind of job you can get with a Creative Writing Degree. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average yearly salary for a writer using their degree is about $48,000, with the highest-paying fields being TV/Film/Commercial Writing and Magazine/newspaper Journalism. With so many different specialties and skills that a Creative Writing Degree can teach you, it’s a worthwhile investment in your future.

The Specialties Available

Though the exact number of jobs available varies per occupation, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, about 80% of all occupations in North America can be considered a fit for people with a bachelor’s degree in creative writing. Here are some of the specialties available to you:

1. Magazine Editor

One of the most in-demand careers for people with a creative writing degree is magazine editor. You’ll be handling a variety of tasks, including pitching and editing stories, writing features, and designing magazines. The job involves working with an in-house creative team, as well as outside contractors; reviewing proposals; and liaising with advertisers. All of this can contribute to making your resume stand out above the rest.

2. Advertising Copywriter

If you’re looking for a career that involves pitching ideas to clients, consider advertising copywriter. This field is typically seen as the intersection between marketing and communications, and creative writing. It’s a very competitive industry with lots of opportunities for growth. According to Adzuna, a digital marketing platform, the average salary for a copywriter is about $52,000 a year, and the highest-paying fields include brand strategy and marketing, communication, and advertising. Designing marketing material, such as brochures, websites, and product packages, is also a responsibility that may fall under the banner of a copywriter.

3. Advertising Agencies/Marketing & Communications Department

If you’d like to work in an advertising agency, considering a marketing & communications degree can put you ahead of the competition. You’ll gain valuable experience while also honing your writing skills. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary for a marketing & communications manager is about $63,000 a year, with the highest-paying fields including publishing and marketing. Designing marketing material and pitching ideas is also part of the job description. Many marketing & commm department jobs also include handling public relations and social media.

4. News Editor

If you believe that your prose is stronger than the newsroom’s, you can try your hand at a news editor role. This is a challenging position that involves being the first point of contact for breaking news, as well as overseeing the production of daily news programs. You’ll have to be able to juggle different deadlines, manage multiple reporters, and be able to work with a team of editors. If you’re looking for a change of pace from the advertising world, a career in news may be for you.

5. Feature Writer

If you’re a fan of the written word and looking for a way to indulge your hobbies, you can take up feature writing. This is a fairly new field that emerged as a result of the information revolution. It involves researching a particular topic or personality, and then curating that information into an engaging narrative – often in a popular (often digital) format like a magazine or blog post. While the pay is relatively low, at about $25,000 a year, it’s still a decent opportunity to make a living as a fiction writer.

6. Scriptwriter

If you’re looking for a writing role that pays more, you can try your hand at a scriptwriter. This is a role that encompasses a variety of tasks, including writing the script; researching and organizing the material; and performing the necessary rewrites. The highest-paying fields are motion picture and television production, with scripting generally falling under the banner of television commercials, web content, and short-form content.

7. Journalist

If you’re looking for a steady job that doesn’t require too much thinking, consider becoming a journalist. You’ll typically need a degree in either economics, business administration, or political science, and an internship or minor in journalism. You’ll then be able to take on more in-depth research, follow-up interviews, and event coverage. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary for a journalist is about $57,000 a year, with the highest-paying fields including political reporting, local television news, and magazine journalism. It’s a fairly wide open field, so you can easily find your niche.

8. Book Author

Though a book author’s job description can vary, it’s often seen as a combination of marketing and communications, along with some editing. You may need to come up with a brand identity, design a marketing plan, and track your book’s sales. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary for a book author is about $61,000 a year, with the highest-paying fields including marketing, sales & public relations, and journalism. However, many authors see their job not as a step on the journey to becoming a full-time writer, but as the final stage in their creative writing education.

9. Creative Director

If you have a background in art and design, you can try your hand at a creative director role. You’ll be in charge of the whole creative process, from the initial concept to the final product. You may need to draw up design guidelines, oversee the production of marketing material and websites, and analyze traffic. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary for a creative director is about $85,000 a year, with the highest-paying fields including advertising, marketing, and marketing communications. This is a very rewarding and secure job, offering many opportunities to grow and prosper.

What’s Next?

As you can see, there are many different jobs and careers that you can get with a Creative Writing degree. In the coming months, we’ll delve deeper into some of the specialties and jobs that exist within the field, as well as examine the various ways that you can get a Creative Writing degree and where you can find work.