Careers

Writing/Editing

• Creative Writing- Books, Poetry, Plays, Screenplays, Scripts, Greeting Cards, Lyrics/Jingle Writing
• Journalism- Writing/Reporting, Editing
• Technical Writing- Science and Medical Writing
• Freelance Writing

Employers

• Newspapers
• Magazines
• Broadcast media companies including television, radio, and the movie industry
• Trade, professional, or consumer publications
• Internet sites
• Large corporations
• Government agencies including: Department of Homeland Security, Department of Defense
• Department of State, Veterans Affairs, National Archives and Records Admin.
• Universities and university presses
• Technical industries
• Self-employed/Freelance

Strategies

• Select elective coursework in a particular area of interest.
• Write forcampus publications such as college newspapers, magazines, ordepartmental/program newsletters.
• Volunteer to assist or tutor studentsin a writing center.
• For technical writing positions obtain aconcentration in technical writing.
• Take science and/or computercourses to gain knowledge about technical areas and trends.
• Become familiar with the proposal writing and submission process involved in freelance writing.
• Gain as much experience as possible through volunteer positions, internships, or part-time jobs.
• Demonstrate patience and persistence in starting a career in creative writing.

Education

• Teaching
• Administration
• Student Affairs
• Academic Advising
• Information Science
• Non-classroom Teaching
• Tutoring

Employers

• Public schools
• Private schools
• Colleges and universities
• Language institutes, local and abroad
• Libraries
• Museums
• Private learning centers
• Test preparation organizations
• Nonprofit organizations involved with literacy

Strategies

• Obtain appropriate state certification for public school teaching.
• Earn certification to teach multiple subjects or age groups for increased job opportunities.
• Earn a master's or doctorate degree for post-secondary teaching.
• Plan to attend graduate school in college student personnel or information science if those are areas of interest.
• Gain volunteer experience working with children through Big Brother/Sister programs, tutoring, summer camps, YMCA's, etc.
• Participate in school activities such as debate or literary clubs,campus publications, or student government.
• Get involved in roles of leadership such as resident advisor, peer mentor, student advisor, etc.
• Maintain a high grade point average and secure strong faculty recommendations for graduate school applications.

Publishing

• Editing
• Advertising
• Sales
• Circulation
• Production
• Publicity
• Marketing
• Promotion
• Administration

Employers

• Trade publishing
• Special interest magazines
• Trade magazines
• Association magazines
• Sunday newspaper supplements
• Educational publishing
• Religious books and magazines
• Professional and scholarly publishing
• University presses
• Independent publishers
• Alternative media publishers: E-books, Audiobooks

Strategies

• Obtain an internship in the publishing industry.
• Participate in a summer publishing institute.
• Develop word processing, editing, and desktop publishing skills.
• Gain additional technical skills if working in an online environment.
• Gain experience by writing for student publications such as the newspaper, creative writing magazines, the year book, etc.
• Conduct an informational interview with or shadow a professional in the publishing industry.
• Look for positions with local dailies and alternative weeklies in the community.
• Volunteer to write or edit publications with local nonprofit organizations to gain experience.
• Develop extensive grammar and language skills. Be prepared to relocate to cities with a publishing presence.
• Research the publishing industry to learn more about career ladders.

Law

Employers

• Law firms
• Corporate legal departments
• Government agencies
• Public service agencies

Strategies

• Develop strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Become skillful in debate and public speaking.
• Organize campus events, speakers, or political rallies.
• Obtain summer or part-time work in a law firm.
• Plan to shadow an attorney to learn more about the field.
• Complete special training requirements for paralegal positions.
• Attend law school and earn a JD to become an attorney.
• Maintain an excellent grade point average and secure strong faculty recommendations to gain law school admittance.
• Plan to take the LSAT.

Advertising

• Creative Services- Copy Writing, Art Direction
• Account Management
• Media
• Account Planning
• Production

Employers

• Advertising agencies
• In-house agencies of large companies

Strategies

• Demonstrate talent, persistence, assertiveness, and enthusiasm. Be prepared to start in an entry-level position.
• Obtain strong statistics background for market research positions.
• Create a portfolio of writing and ideas showing originality and imagination for creative positions.
• Gain knowledge of various media, contemporary tastes, and trends. Obtain experience with campus newspaper, TV, or radio.
• Participate insales and promotions for student organizations or private businesses.
• Complete an internship in a market research firm or advertising agency.
• Supplement curriculum with courses in business (marketing, economics,mathematics), art, or graphic design.

Public Relations

• Account Coordination
• Writing/Editing
• Media Relations
• Account Management

Employers

• Public relations firms
• Advertising agencies
• In-house public relations departments
• Trade associations
• Colleges and universities
• Nonprofit organizations
• Government agencies

Strategies

• Obtain internship or other relevant work experience to break into thisfield.
• Be prepared to start at the bottom and work towards higherlevels.
• Develop strong research skills, public speaking ability, enthusiasm, and interpersonal skills.
• Supplement curriculum with business courses.
• Become an effective team member by working on group projects for campus organizations.
• Volunteer to write publications for nonprofit or student organizations.

Business

• Management
• Sales
• Marketing
• Human Resources
• Insurance: Claims, Underwriting

Employers

• Business organizations including banks, real estate agencies, insurance firms, and large and small corporations
• Retailers including department, grocery, drug, specialty, variety, and book stores

Strategies

• Obtain a business minor.
• Gain work experience through part-time jobs, internships, or relevant volunteer work.
• Secure leadership roles in campus organizations.
• Join student professional associations and seek leadership roles. Develop strong analytical and computer skills.
• Gain experience as financial officer or treasurer of a campus organization.

Other Professions

• Actor
• Advertising Copywriter
• Bibliographer
• Bookstore Manager
• Clergy
• Columnist
• Copy Editor
• Critic
• Cryptographer
• Dramatist
• Editor
• Fund Raiser
• Genealogist
• Indexer
• Journalist
• Lexicographer
• Librarian
• Lobbyist
• Manuscript Reader
• Office Manager
• Political Campaigner
• Professor
• Proofreader
• Radio/Television Program Writer
• Reporter
• Researcher
• Resume Writer
• Script Writer
• Speech Writer
• Technical Writer
• Underwriter
• Writing Center Director