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What career options are available for an English lover and creative writer?
I am currently in class 5 and looking for my dream career. I am a voracious reader, creative writer and public speaker. However, I do not have any desire to become an author. I would like some ideas for a career path for me. An important point to be noted is that the careers in question have to be stable jobs with decent salaries (A requirement of my parents)
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5 answers
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David’s Answer
Hi Liana,
It's great that you have a passion for literature and wish to explore career paths that would allow you to continue your appreciation of the written and spoken word into your professional life.
As an English graduate myself, I can say there are very few careers that don't allow you to exercise a certain amount of literary skill in day to day life. Most jobs will require different forms of communication (whether you're writing a business proposal, or presenting to audiences of various sizes), and being a talented writer can help immensely with such work. The study of literature is also the formation of logical, well structured arguments in the face of subjective and often incomplete information - and that is what a lot of jobs really boil down to.
For stable careers which are more directly aligned to English and creative use of the written word, you might want to consider the following industries:
- Publishing
- Marketing, communications and public relations
- Technical writing
- Journalism
Of course, you can always maintain your love of English alongside any job by reading regularly and joining social opportunities like book clubs.
It's great that you have a passion for literature and wish to explore career paths that would allow you to continue your appreciation of the written and spoken word into your professional life.
As an English graduate myself, I can say there are very few careers that don't allow you to exercise a certain amount of literary skill in day to day life. Most jobs will require different forms of communication (whether you're writing a business proposal, or presenting to audiences of various sizes), and being a talented writer can help immensely with such work. The study of literature is also the formation of logical, well structured arguments in the face of subjective and often incomplete information - and that is what a lot of jobs really boil down to.
For stable careers which are more directly aligned to English and creative use of the written word, you might want to consider the following industries:
- Publishing
- Marketing, communications and public relations
- Technical writing
- Journalism
Of course, you can always maintain your love of English alongside any job by reading regularly and joining social opportunities like book clubs.
I am really grateful you took the time to answer this question.
Liana
Updated
Shea’s Answer
Hi! Those are excellent skills and interests that can serve you well in so many careers. I work in a large corporate environment, and we have a robust Brand and Communications department. You would have the ability to write corporate communications and also potentially exercise your creativity through development of branded materials.
Another suggestion is law, as it typically includes a significant amount of writing. It is also beneficial to have a large vocabulary and a strong desire to read. Depending on the type of law you practice, there may be many opportunities for public speaking.
Education is also a potential field to consider, and the world certainly needs more teachers!
Good luck!
Another suggestion is law, as it typically includes a significant amount of writing. It is also beneficial to have a large vocabulary and a strong desire to read. Depending on the type of law you practice, there may be many opportunities for public speaking.
Education is also a potential field to consider, and the world certainly needs more teachers!
Good luck!
Thank you so much!
Liana
Updated
Simona’s Answer
Hello,
How about considering a career as a Technical Writer? You'll have the chance to create clear, easy-to-understand documents like user manuals, technical guides, and instructional materials. Your job will be to simplify complex products, processes, or systems, translating technical jargon into everyday language that everyone can comprehend.
Alternatively, you might find your calling as a Scriptwriter. In this role, you'll craft captivating scripts for a variety of platforms such as film, television, radio, and theater. You'll have the opportunity to breathe life into characters, create engaging dialogues, and weave intriguing storylines. All while ensuring your work fits the unique requirements of the medium and genre. It's a chance to entertain and captivate audiences with your creativity.
How about considering a career as a Technical Writer? You'll have the chance to create clear, easy-to-understand documents like user manuals, technical guides, and instructional materials. Your job will be to simplify complex products, processes, or systems, translating technical jargon into everyday language that everyone can comprehend.
Alternatively, you might find your calling as a Scriptwriter. In this role, you'll craft captivating scripts for a variety of platforms such as film, television, radio, and theater. You'll have the opportunity to breathe life into characters, create engaging dialogues, and weave intriguing storylines. All while ensuring your work fits the unique requirements of the medium and genre. It's a chance to entertain and captivate audiences with your creativity.
Thank you for the advice, Simona.
Liana
Evan Vissat
Copywriter/Communications Worker/Brand Specialist/Audio Producer/Creative Writer/Musician
2
Answers
Updated
Evan’s Answer
Hello! And good question, cause in undergrad I asked myself the same thing. I love to read and write, but also being able to eat + keep my lights on.
I currently work as a Copywriter for a corporate company. Before that, I worked as a freelance Copywriter for various businesses and agencies. A Copywriter is tasked with making content for anything revolving around a brand that has to do with written or spoken language.
This can take many forms, including advertisements, slogans, speeches, words you find on a website etc. While the specific form may change, the job of a Copywriter is to help a brand tell its story via words = you highlight their best qualities and tell people in a voice that best fits the brand.
Aside from copywriting, I also have a Master's degree in creative writing. Having a masters degree makes you eligible to teach at a college/university, so if teaching writing appeals to you this may be a move. I understand that undergrad and graduate school payments can be expensive so I would advise to check if pursuing a master's degree is within reason, regarding financial factors.
If you want a job that allows you time to read and write while also having a stable income, teaching in academia may be a good option for you. You get summers off too = more time to write!
In your question, you mention a "dream career." I would encourage you to define for yourself what this looks like for you. I finished undergrad in 2020, and the job I'm in currently has been the longest-held position so far. I wore a lot of hats post-graduation, and was even laid off at an agency due to their inability to pay all of their workers during the pandemic.
I would encourage you to make a list of things you like doing and want to do more of. For me, I want to finish my first book, make it a series, and learn how to make, mix, and publish high quality original music. My current job is not my life's purpose, it helps me fund the endeavors that are.
As you continue with classes, I would advise you to make note of what you're GOOD at, what you LIKE doing, and see where these 2 things intersect.
To make a long answer short, I would check out these avenues/topics:
- Copywriting
- Communications writing
-Marketing writing
-Advertising writing
-Social media writing
-Publishing
-Technical writing
-Scriptwriting
-Teacher/Professor
-Obtaining a writing MFA
I currently work as a Copywriter for a corporate company. Before that, I worked as a freelance Copywriter for various businesses and agencies. A Copywriter is tasked with making content for anything revolving around a brand that has to do with written or spoken language.
This can take many forms, including advertisements, slogans, speeches, words you find on a website etc. While the specific form may change, the job of a Copywriter is to help a brand tell its story via words = you highlight their best qualities and tell people in a voice that best fits the brand.
Aside from copywriting, I also have a Master's degree in creative writing. Having a masters degree makes you eligible to teach at a college/university, so if teaching writing appeals to you this may be a move. I understand that undergrad and graduate school payments can be expensive so I would advise to check if pursuing a master's degree is within reason, regarding financial factors.
If you want a job that allows you time to read and write while also having a stable income, teaching in academia may be a good option for you. You get summers off too = more time to write!
In your question, you mention a "dream career." I would encourage you to define for yourself what this looks like for you. I finished undergrad in 2020, and the job I'm in currently has been the longest-held position so far. I wore a lot of hats post-graduation, and was even laid off at an agency due to their inability to pay all of their workers during the pandemic.
I would encourage you to make a list of things you like doing and want to do more of. For me, I want to finish my first book, make it a series, and learn how to make, mix, and publish high quality original music. My current job is not my life's purpose, it helps me fund the endeavors that are.
As you continue with classes, I would advise you to make note of what you're GOOD at, what you LIKE doing, and see where these 2 things intersect.
To make a long answer short, I would check out these avenues/topics:
- Copywriting
- Communications writing
-Marketing writing
-Advertising writing
-Social media writing
-Publishing
-Technical writing
-Scriptwriting
-Teacher/Professor
-Obtaining a writing MFA
Thanks, that was some really practical advice.
Liana
Bob Stevens
Creative, Design, Writing, Marketing, Advertising, Digital
6
Answers
Updated
Bob’s Answer
Great question! It's wonderful that you love reading, creative writing, and public speaking. Those three loves go very well together. It's also very smart to pursue a career that will help you pay the bills and provide a stable income.
Reading, writing, and speaking can fit almost anywhere. But rather than give you options based on those skills, it's more important to understand you as a complete person. In other words, you said you're looking for your "dream job." That can be hard to nail down. What you're trying to do is fit an existing career (with a salary like your wise parents told you), into your expectations of what a dream job looks like.
A simple google search or even typing into ChatGPT the prompt, "list the top careers with a good salary that involve a love for reading, creative writing, and public speaking that doesn't involve becoming an author," will show you many great examples. It will also reveal like many of the answers here, how broad those skills are, and how they can fit almost anywhere.
So, instead of starting at the end, instead of starting with a career, start with you. Try this exercise on youtube to help you discover a job you love where you can also make money:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2SqqjRn_c0
After that, you should have a more focused journey. Once you have your career choices and dream job with a better focus, you can reach out (it's called networking) to people who have those jobs and ask them what it's like.
Hope this helps!
Use ChatGPT prompt to start a list of all possible careers
Watch the youtube clip and complete the exercise to narrow down your list
With your focused list of careers you like and a better definition of what your dream job requires, reach out to professionals with those jobs and politely ask if they could tell you more about what they do, why they love it, and what they don't like.
Reading, writing, and speaking can fit almost anywhere. But rather than give you options based on those skills, it's more important to understand you as a complete person. In other words, you said you're looking for your "dream job." That can be hard to nail down. What you're trying to do is fit an existing career (with a salary like your wise parents told you), into your expectations of what a dream job looks like.
A simple google search or even typing into ChatGPT the prompt, "list the top careers with a good salary that involve a love for reading, creative writing, and public speaking that doesn't involve becoming an author," will show you many great examples. It will also reveal like many of the answers here, how broad those skills are, and how they can fit almost anywhere.
So, instead of starting at the end, instead of starting with a career, start with you. Try this exercise on youtube to help you discover a job you love where you can also make money:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2SqqjRn_c0
After that, you should have a more focused journey. Once you have your career choices and dream job with a better focus, you can reach out (it's called networking) to people who have those jobs and ask them what it's like.
Hope this helps!
Bob recommends the following next steps:
Bob, thank you!
Liana