The second in a series on how to become a writer.
“You write for television? That’s amazing! Did you go to school for that?”
Dorian smiled at the old friend he’d passed in a restaurant that day, many years ago now. “Kind of, yeah. I took classes at a college.”
“That’s so awesome!”
If you hope to become a writer one day, or if you are a writer looking to elevate your career, you’ve thought about education and training needed. After all, most job postings mention required degrees. While there is still a heavy bias against job candidates that don’t have degrees but still have all the skills, paying for higher education isn’t your only option.
The Higher Education Path
If you can afford it and have the time, degrees are a great way to get the training you need, develop a network, and look more impressive to potential employers. Here is a quick FAQ of things to consider regarding degrees.
Q: Does it matter what college I go to?
A: If you go to a college that is well-known for their creative arts programs, you will have a better network after graduation that can help you on your job search.
Q: What degree should I get?
A: Degrees in Writing, English, Journalism, and Communications are all good options. Universities that offer “Fine Arts” degrees are always a plus.
Q: How advanced of a degree should I get?
A: Most employers want a Bachelor’s degree, but an Associate’s is still helpful. A Master of Fine Arts degree looks very impressive, but unless you intend to work for a university a graduate-level degree may not be worth the money and time.
Q: Do writing jobs actually require a degree?
A: It depends on the job you want. As we talked about in our Overview post, there are many career paths. If you want to be a journalist or a copywriter, a degree will be useful. If you want to be an author or a freelance writer, it is less useful.
The Non-Traditional Education Path
If you don’t have the money, time, or desire to pursue a degree (who can blame you?), there are other options. I personally used Coursera for a Certificate in Creative Writing from Wesleyan University, and I completed it all within my free trial period (I am a fast student, though).
No, this is not sponsored by Coursera, though I wish! But I do think they are a great option for people. It’s online and at your own pace. You can get some training and certificates for free or for very little money. Do your own reserach to determine what is best for you, but here are some good programs to look into:
- Weslyn University’s Creative Writing Certificate program
- Michigan State University’s Write Your First Novel Certificate program
- University of Colorado Boulder’s Business Writing Certificate program
The “Only Training” Path
If any type of formal education isn’t for you, but you want to showcase that you have been trained, there are still options available. The digital age is great! Pursuing professional development is also useful for those with degrees, as well. Make sure that any training you do you list on your portfolio, resume, LinkedIn, or whatever it is that you use for your career.
- Read informational books on writing skills, especially in your chosen discipline such as creative writing or academic writing
- Watch 1-hour long talks via Skillshare from industry professionals that talk about how to perfect your craft and give you resources
- Attend in-person or online seminars and workshops about writing (you’ll need to keep a lookout for upcoming events online)
You can read the Overview here.
Keep on the lookout for future posts in this series!