What Can You Do with a Creative Writing Degree?

Do you have a flair for crafting written content? Do you love reading books and imagine publishing your own one day? If you said ‘Yes’ to both questions, a creative writing degree might be an ideal choice if you’re looking to enter further education.

A degree in creative writing might also open the door to more potential career paths than you initially imagined. This guide will explore some of those roles, and further help you to decide if creative writing is the right program for you.

Is a creative writing major necessary?

While it’s possible to enter various creative writing careers without a degree in hand, it’s always beneficial to have this accreditation when applying for applicable roles. Plus a creative writing degree isn’t just to pump up your CV – it also hones your writing ability and provides you with additional skills in producing compelling, creative content.

Depending on the college you choose, your studies can also present future career opportunities. Certain programs will provide assistance for you to submit written content to literary journals and contests, while you may also get the chance to network with publishers. All of this can give you a leg up following graduation.

What can I do with a creative writing degree?

A creative writing degree doesn’t only set you up with the necessary tools to become a professional author. It also supplies you with the skills to work in various other related careers. Below are some of the most popular jobs with a creative writing degree available.

Technical writers

As the name implies, a technical writer will handle projects that have a large degree of complexity. These projects can include academic journal articles, how-to guides, textbooks, and manuals. A technical writer may also handle editing duties like checking for the tone of voice, syntax, and grammar.

Using research conducted by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, a technical writer earned an average annual wage of $72,850 in 2019. Between 2019 and 2029, this role is also projected to grow by 7% in terms of job opportunities.

Writers and authors

‘Writers and authors’ is a profession that generally covers writers that work in a wide range of capacities. This can cover those who produce fiction and nonfiction books, work in a digital content marketing role, and write on a freelance basis. A freelance writing role can be enticing for those who want to follow their own schedule, creating everything from blog posts to travel guides for clients.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics revealed that, in 2019, the average annual salary for a writer/author was $63,200. While this creative writing salary is a healthy one, the job outlook isn’t the same – between 2019 and 2029,

Public relations specialists

A public relations specialist is a professional that works directly with a corporation or public figure. Their job is to establish and maintain a positive relationship between the figure they represent and the general public. Along with utilizing their creative writing skills to produce press releases and other written content, a public relations specialist is also typically required to speak directly with the media.

In 2019, $61,150 was the annual wage reported for a public relations specialist. The Bureau of Labor Statistics also notes the job outlook for this position is favorable, with it expected to grow by 7% between 2019 and 2029.

How do you choose the right college?

First of all, you need to put together a shortlist of colleges that offer a creative writing program. Take the time to look at which ones are the most respected when it comes to the subject.

Of course, the quality of the program is only the start. Many other points need to be factored into your decision, including a budget, location, and available facilities. You also have to analyze the quality of the campus and dorms of each college.

This is where CampusReel steps to the forefront. No longer do you have to rely on fluff pieces of college-produced content. With CampusReel, you gain access to videos that are created not by professionals and hired film production crews, but by those that matter – students. Those that experience campus life are the ideal people to tell you all about the quality of dorms, nearby food options, and so on.

Best of all, you can gain instant access to the 15,000+ videos on CampusReel for free. Simply sign up for an account today and gain a more educated opinion to ensure you select the right college.