Creative Writing | Career Centre

Have you always wanted to pursue a career as a writer? Do you love literature and feel that this is the direction you wish to take after university? Majoring in Creative Writing at York allows you to explore unending possibilities as you develop knowledge of different genres and approaches to writing by contemporary and past authors. You will have access to accomplished professors and exposure to a variety of opportunities to improve your writing abilities and gain a good understanding of the profession and opportunities in your field of interest before graduation.

Career Options in Creative Writing

Below is a sample list of some future choices to explore following studies in Creative Writing. This list is not exhaustive but it provides a solid idea of what fellow graduates have gone on to do and what potential careers a Creative Writing degree can offer. Some options are more directly associated with specific areas of Creative Writing than others.

Author
Blogger
Cartoonist
Blogger
Children’s Writer
Communications Consultant
Cultural Consultant
Critic
Editor
Entrepreneur
Event Planner
Fundraising Coordinator
Historian
Human Resources Specialist
International Aid Director
International Development Worker
Interpreter
Journalist

Lawyer
Legal Aid Representative
Librarian
Linguist
Literary Editor
Lobbyist
Magazine Contributor
Marketing Director
Media Correspondent
Non-Profit Organization Director
Publisher
Professor
Public Relations Representative
Social Program Director
Speech Coach
Speech Writer
Travel Magazine Editor
Translator
UN Representative

Some of these career choices may require additional education or preparation in the form of graduate studies, experiential education or professional formative courses and exams. For a more in-depth description of some of the careers mentioned above visit Career Cruising (login information can be found on the home page of the Career Centre's online system) or the National Occupational Classification website.

Skills Developed through a Creative Writing Degree

A background in Creative Writing ensures that you develop the skills and mindset to tackle many different professional challenges. Here are just a few of the skills a Creative Writing degree can help you develop:

Core Creative Writing Skills

Familiarity with contemporary and classic literary works and analysis of different styles of writing.
An ability to understand and mould language with great ease to fit your needs as a writer.
A capability to experiment with different forms of writing to get your message across.
Through exposure to various works and methods you will develop your own style, discover what sort of writing most compels you and gain confidence in your writing.

Communication, Data Gathering and Organizational Skills

The ability to present your thoughts clearly and intelligently in written statements and written opinion pieces
The ability to learn new information and apply this to professional demands
The capacity to critically analyze problems, think creatively and make sound decisions while considering different sides of an argument
The ability to explain complex ideas clearly to others and to apply complex theoretical concepts to everyday practice and professional dilemmas
The skills to collect various types of information, assess them, analyze and incorporate potential linkages from different fields, put them into writing and efficiently convey your message and the goal of your work

Management and Teamwork

The ability to interpret and analyze information presented by peers and efficiently and constructively support or challenge their proposals, theories, ideas and reports in order to achieve a project’s intended and successful end result
The capacity to lead and interact with a variety of people with different approaches and personal and professional backgrounds
The ability to debate, persuade, mediate and present your thoughts and opinions to others, as well as the capacity to recognize and incorporate other potential solutions or applications to given problems
The capability to identify priorities and proper courses of action, to plan the execution of tasks and to determine and delegate responsibilities to group members to most effectively carry out projects

Professional Associations and Organizations

Knowing the industry and how to excel in it after receiving a degree are key elements of future success. University study sets up the building blocks you will need to develop and enhance your understanding and knowledge in your career. Being part of a professional organization or network and gaining further insight through training are excellent ways of increasing your knowledge of the field. The following is a selection of organizations related to the field of Creative Writing that you may want to visit as you research career options for Creative Writing graduates.