what can you do with a creative writing degree

what can you do with a creative writing degree

The Benefits of a Creative Writing Degree

1. Introduction

As the 21st century unfolds, everyday life is increasingly being played out on the computer. Among the fields most affected is creative writing. Creative writing not only takes us into the lives and feelings of others, and allows us to understand or reflect on them, it can move us, make us think, and elicit feelings. And the new technologies can extend and enhance these experiences in ways not possible only a few years ago. But to take full advantage of these can be a complex business. Developing skills as a writer in the modern world can open up a rich variety of rewarding and fulfilling careers, and it makes sense for anyone wanting to write – whether for pleasure or for pay – to achieve some kind of qualification. This article addresses some of the influences of modern technology on creative writing and considers how these might best be exploited. In terms of higher education, there has been a significant growth in creative writing courses in the last decade, with an increasing number of new courses and students studying the subject at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. It is still possible to become a successful writer with no formal qualifications, but it is becoming increasingly rare. And for such courses, learning how to make the most of modern technology is a complex business, not least because the technologies themselves are changing so rapidly.

2. Developing Writing Skills

Ideal degree for those who wish to utilize their writing, creativity, and imagination skills in the lucrative field of work. There are many students with an interest in writing who do not go the extra mile to pursue this interest because they believe that a creative writing degree won’t help them in a higher paid, marketable career that they are interested in. This is not the case. A creative writing degree is not a “poor option,” rather it is a smart option. In this day and age, many employers find communication skills to be one of the most important attributes that they seek in new employees. In a recent study, “The Chronicle for Higher Education,” the Association of American Colleges and Universities reported that more than 80% of employers seek written communication skills in new employees, and 83% of the employers want new hires with clear writing abilities. Adding to this, various CEOs and upper management individuals gave feedback that many university graduates do not possess clear written communication skills, a skill that they are often forced to teach these graduates at work to ensure that the message is being portrayed clearly and effectively to consumers and clients. This shows that there is a demand for writers in the workforce. With an expected growth of 15-20% in the writing job market, it is important to understand that a degree that develops these writing skills is valuable and beneficial. Also, a degree in creative writing provides the ability to write in a wide range of writing jobs from technical to creative.

3. Career Opportunities in Writing

Another career in writing is public relations. This field, according to the O*NET database, is expecting much faster than average job growth. Public relations writers can work in company PR departments, advertising agencies, government agencies, non-profit organizations, hospitals, schools, and many other types of organizations. This type of work can include writing press releases, web content, sales copy, and many other kinds of writing for the purpose of maintaining a favorable public image for the organization. This type of work is often considered a good opportunity for writers because it typically includes less stress to meet strict deadlines, as well as a comfortable income in the $60,000 to $80,000 range.

The most obvious career opportunity to pursue after earning a creative writing degree is that of being a professional writer. This can include a novelist, screenwriter, poet, columnist, copywriter, technical writer, food writer, travel writer, and various other writing specific careers. Most of the well paid work in this industry is in technical or copywriting. According to the O*NET Online Occupational Database, most professional writers have excellent job opportunities for people with the right skills and education. Expected job growth and average salaries are difficult to determine in this broadly varied field, but those with superior writing skills and a good understanding of their audience should have better prospects.

4. Pursuing Further Education

Other options are to work in advertising, technical writing, publishing and journalism. This is practical work and it will help with the bills. Many writers would like to turn back the clock and replace their undergraduate and/or graduate jobs with a career in professional writing. In any of these jobs, the writer can expect to work, at least in part, under the direction of another. This is a principle different from that of the independent artist. And yet, part-time work can often be fended off (indeed, teaching is notoriously hard to get into) leaving the writer free to write for their full work week.

In addition, the writer can work in the community, for arts or education councils, for magazines or presses, or they can design their own program of writer/teacher training. This can be done in the context of an already existing education program, or through a more informal arrangement. In this form of work, the writer is often working to help students “find their voices.” Usually, this sort of work leads to a more formal teaching job.

In terms of further education, the creative writer has the option to complete a postgraduate degree. They may opt for a Master of Studies in Creative Writing. This is a two-year, part-time course, intended for committed writers. It is also possible to study for a PhD, although in this case the PhD would be by research and academic practice, with an element of creative writing. A PhD in creative writing will combine the production of a creative work with critical analysis. This is often the fastest route to a job as a creative writing teacher; at some schools, an MFA is sufficient. Although an MFA in creative writing is ideal. These jobs can be difficult to obtain, often combining a considerable degree of professional success with the necessity of time spent teaching, and thus great dedication, in the best college or university of all. (And yet it is a common aspiration to want to teach at a good college, and in many ways, these jobs are the best college jobs.)

5. Conclusion

One more interesting, yet controversial aspect of modern society is that now we can’t split between right-brained and left-brained people. This often ridiculed metaphor has made an exclusive label for art people and science people. Ironically, the science people now need something that is not closely related to their education: creativity. Now many science people have an interest in literature and the gold they have established from an often tedious learning of empirical sciences can be spent to learn something beautiful and admittedly easier to do. Because of this situation, and the many controversies in it, a creative writer now can produce a wide range of literary works not only aimed at the common people but also at the intellectuals with various themes coming from their degree in various fields of study. This becomes an opportunity for a graduate of literature to make article writing a side job.

Another benefit from literature that has been long proposed by postmodern literature philosophers and aficionados is a mental broadening. In the post-world-war era, various sorts of cultural mutations have happened that create a really diverse society. There are numerous subcultures that exist in modern society, many of which are products of migrations or international fusions. These subcultures often have their own lifestyles or phenomena, which are interesting to be learned. With the richness of information of various cultures, an accurate, thorough psychological approach is required in learning a culture. It is said that one won’t understand another person before he understands the other’s point of view. High-quality literature always offers abundant knowledge. A graduate with a literature degree has a chance to learn many cultures and approach them to get a better understanding of the essence of life.

Imagine how many best-selling novels and scripts for films we can get from a creative writer who understands the essence of life and can put it into multilevel, multi-interpreted, yet understandable writings. Nowadays, people are bored of literature that is only at face value. People need literature that stimulates deep critical thinking, literature that has some psychological and sociological aspects, but is presented in an interesting, not too heavy to digest ways. This is what people from various backgrounds want to see from literature. With a degree in literature, this can certainly be learned, practiced, and then applied to produce some quality works.

Creative writing, as a subject, can be said to still be improving and growing in the future. The importance of literature is a major factor in its development. In the new era of multicultural literacy, a degree in literature truly is worth its weight in gold. Referenced from: [Link] Follow us: @ukessays on Twitter.