There is a constant and continuous stream of jobs in the creative field. Whether you are a freelance writer, a social media manager, or a brand strategist, you will always be able to find work. Some of the most in-demand and rewarding jobs in the industry are those that require an advanced degree.
If you’re looking to make a career change and want to be in a field that is consistently in demand, consider pursuing a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing.
By getting an MFA, you will be able to gain invaluable knowledge and develop professional skillsets that will give you an edge over the competition.
The Evolution Of Creative Writing
Creative writing has always been a popular option among students because it is such a versatile and useful skill to have.
The practice of creative writing is as old as literature itself and can be traced back to the 17th century. During that time, literary works, such as poetry and plays, were largely considered to be ‘fine arts’, or practical applications of artistic skill, rather than ‘science’ or ‘literature’ as we know it today.
In the 18th century, creative writing became more of a formal practice and was often seen as a necessary step for a ‘gentleman’ or ‘man of letters.’ However, as the 19th century progressed, creative writing gradually became less of a ‘gateway’ to other careers and more of a standalone option.
In the early 20th century, people began to see the importance of creative writing in their education. English teachers would often assign creative writing tasks to their students because it helped develop their creative and critical thinking skills.
It wasn’t until the 1950s that universities and colleges began to see a massive upswing in applicants wanting to study creative writing. This was largely due to the fact that the ‘creative writing’ course had become so popular that schools started offering it as a standalone option instead of as a ‘writing for publication’ module.
To this day, you will still find many universities offering Bachelors in Creative Writing. These degrees focus on various aspects of the craft such as fiction, non-fiction, and screenwriting. However, with so many jobs available, it is now possible to find employment without a formal writing education.
The most popular and in-demand degree program in the country today is unquestionably the MFA in Creative Writing. Why? Because even though jobs in the industry are plentiful, there is a constant and continuous stream of new graduates looking for high-quality positions.
In the eyes of employers, an MFA in Creative Writing is the perfect balance of professional skills and knowledge, combined with critical thinking and creative writing ability. Employers value this combination because it gives them the best of what both worlds have to offer: the practical skills of a writer and the creative and innovative thinking of an artist.
Why An MFA?
An MFA in Creative Writing is the ultimate in-demand degree right now because, as we have discussed, there is a continuous and steady stream of applicants wanting to study the craft. However, beyond gaining valuable knowledge, an MFA in Creative Writing also provides you with job prospects and a sense of accomplishment that comes with a well-deserved diploma.
In the eyes of many colleges and universities, an MFA in Creative Writing is the ultimate ‘career-changing’ or ‘upward mobility’ degree because it is such an all-encompassing degree. With so many jobs available in the industry, it is clearly a degree that will prove to be quite valuable in your future career.
Even if you decide that you don’t want to pursue a career in creative writing, the MFA will still give you important knowledge and skills that you can use in a variety of industries.
What Will You Study?
Even if you are not intending on pursuing a career in creative writing, one of the most important things to study, as we have discussed, is the craft of writing. To prepare for your studies, you will need to enrol in a Bachelors in English Literature, obtain a score of at least 50% on the relevant exams, and then apply for admission to the MFA program at your educational institution.
Broadly speaking, you will study narrative fiction, creative non-fiction, and screenplay analysis. Within these broad areas, you will focus on the theory and practice of writing in each case.
Who Will Your Education Serve?
Even before considering whether to pursue a career in creative writing or not, you should start looking for potential employers. As we have discussed, the craft of writing is valuable in and of itself; however, it is also a well-respected and in-demand degree because it provides you with the knowledge and skills that many employers value.
A solid Bachelors in English Literature will give you the theoretical knowledge and skills you need to start your writing career. If you then decide to pursue an MFA in Creative Writing, in addition to giving you a new and exciting creative outlet, your degree will also form the base of your professional career. From there, you can branch into other areas of creative writing (such as fiction or non-fiction), brand strategy, or social media management.
In choosing a University to study at, it’s important to look for an institution that is well-regarded and has a good reputation. As an English Major, you will almost certainly be writing a lot, so you will want to find an institution that offers good training, and lots of opportunities to develop your creative and critical thinking skills. With so many Universities offering a Bachelors in English Literature, you are bound to find an educational establishment that fits down to your needs.
On the other hand, if you are applying for an MFA in Creative Writing, you may want to look for an institution that is renowned for its creative writing programs. In choosing a University to study at, it’s important to look for an educational establishment that is either a Member of Creative Scotland, or fully accredited by the British Council.
The Rewards Of A Formal Education
One of the key reasons why an MFA in Creative Writing is such an alluring prospect is that it provides you with so many opportunities for further study and learning. As we have discussed, an MFA in Creative Writing provides you with a degree that is of outstanding value and is also highly sought after by universities and colleges across the world.
In most cases, you will be required to undertake a Master’s Project, a piece of original and innovative writing of no more than 30,000 words in length. This is typically in the form of a short story, a novella, or a full-length novel. In order to complete your Master’s Project, you will need to follow a rigorous course of study that will involve reading widely, writing intensively, and engaging with other students and educators in an intellectually challenging environment. The end product of your studies will be a piece of original and innovative writing that you can take forward to your professional career.
As well as providing you with a fantastic opportunity for further study, an MFA in Creative Writing also provides you with a fantastic opportunity for learning. Many universities now offer a variety of professional development and skills training courses, both on and off campus. These are valuable resources that can help you gain new insights and perspectives on various topics that are relevant to your career. In choosing a University to study at, it’s important to look for an educational establishment that provides you with ample opportunities for learning.
Learning is a continuous process; something that you will continue to do even after you complete your studies. As we have discussed, with many opportunities for learning and development both on and off campus, as well as a range of high-quality teaching staff, it is clear that an MFA in Creative Writing, at least in part, provides you with a world-class education.
A Degree That Is Of Outstanding Value
In most career and education circles, an MFA in Creative Writing is considered to be of ‘outstanding value’, or, in other words, it is highly regarded and in great demand. In choosing a University to study at, it’s important to look for an educational establishment that is also highly regarded and has a good reputation for training young writers. As we have discussed, a degree that is of outstanding value and in great demand is a fantastic opportunity to further your education and career.