If I were to pursue a major in creative writing, what kind of job opportunities would that open up?

Creative Writing majors tend to work as authors and editors; however, this isn't a limit. Author is a broad category, involving fiction, creative non-fiction, non-fiction, poetry, screen writing, stage play, etc. There's a whole host there, depending on your focus. Editors for publications are also highly sought after, whether it's newspapers, text book companies, etc. If you take a lot of workshops, then editing becomes a skill they help you craft, because it's not simply grammar and spelling, but also teasing out content and authentic messaging/voice.

All that to say this really depends on your zeal and what job opportunities you feel you can get. As someone who started in Astronomy, and then switched to focus on Creative Writing of poetry, I now work in Finance Strategy and Operations. Life never truly locks you out of opportunity.

That said, I still do a lot with writing, and found that the method of communication I learned through creative writing tactics serves me well in my current job.

If you're looking specifically to be a creative writer, then really, the jobs depend on your focus. Whether it's editing, publishing, or pedagogy, there's a lot of options. Traditionally, it's best to go for an Master of Fine Arts as it can open a lot of doors via networking in the trade, but if you're a great writer, and that's what you want to do, then trust yourself to find your way.

However, it's also something you can pursue on the side as well. I'm preparing to start a professional association for published writers, write for an online progressive journal, submit poetry to literary journals, and hone my craft through various organizations within my city.

Good luck, and believe in yourself. That's the biggest key point to make.

Valerie, I graduated with a degree in English/creative writing and for sure you will not find employment ads for 'novelist wanted.' That said, I believe since more students are pursuing STEM and business majors rather than traditional liberal arts degrees, there will be a growing need for people who can actually write human sentences. That could mean pursuing a career in business communications (public relations, corporate communications, corporate blogging) or marketing content creation (ad copy, script writing, etc.). Don't let anyone tell you a degree in creative writing is a silly thing and that you're crazy not to pursue an engineering degree. True, you likely won't make as much as an engineer, but you can earn a decent living and follow a variety of different paths such as I did (from newspaper journalism to PR to marketing to corp comms).