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What Can You Do With A Creative Writing Degree?

By on December 16, 2017

Many writers spend time wondering whether getting qualifications in the field is worth it. For lots of us, writing is something we have wanted to do from a young age, but committing the time, effort and expense to getting a qualification such as a creative writing degree takes serious thought, and without being sure that it is worth it, it can feel like a huge risk.

So what can you do with a creative writing degree? Here are just some of the career options that having this qualification can help get you into.

A novelist or screenwriter

The obvious career choice for those who gain a creative writing qualification is to go on to try to make a living from their writing. Becoming a novelist or screenwriter is many a writers ultimate goal. However, competition is fierce. A creative writing degree puts you at an advantage because you learn so many different techniques, as well as the science behind writing. You also get constant feedback and have plenty of opportunities to practice your writing too.

A freelance writer

Making a living as a freelance writer can be incredibly fruitful for some. Just because your writing degree was in creative writing doesn’t mean you have to limit yourself to fiction writing alone. Lots of businesses require creative people who are good with words to help them in a variety of ways, and there are thousands of jobs out there. Having a degree in creative writing will make you stand out when you apply for these positions.

A journalist

While there are specific journalism degrees, a degree in creative writing can also open doors into the world of journalism. Journalism is about writing eye-catching, newsworthy, stories which grab readers attention, so lots of what you learn in a creative writing degree is transferable to journalistic writing too.

Marketing or advertising

Being able to get messages across to the right audience successfully is what marketing and advertising is all about. When you learn how to write stories, you are told to research your reader and always keep them in mind. These skills are so useful when it comes to marketing or setting up a successful advertising campaign.

Communications

Being an excellent communicator is all about being able to read people and to capture their attention and get them to listen to you. These are all skills a good storyteller will have and ones that you learn in a creative writing degree.

Teaching

Of course, what you learn in a creative writing degree doesn’t have to be kept to yourself! If you want to pass that wisdom on you could get into teaching writing to others. Setting up courses and classes could be a lucrative and rewarding career for any writer who is passionate about helping others.

Choosing a creative writing degree can feel daunting, but there are many career possibilities which would see a creative writing degree as a massive advantage. So if you are thinking of getting into one of the careers above, undertaking a creative writing degree could be the best decisions you’ve ever made!

Bethany Cadman -author of 'Doctor Vanilla's Sunflowers'

Bethany Cadman -author of 'Doctor Vanilla's Sunflowers'

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