Writing - careers involving
Writing features in many more careers than you might expect. It can form part of a huge range of roles, so consider whether you would like writing to be a small part of your job or the main focus of what you do.
When thinking about careers involving writing, many people immediately think of novels, film and TV scripts, or journalism. However, writing is also important in a wide range of other areas and for many different purposes. Examples include writing policy documents for government departments, preparing funding bids for museums and charities, creating marketing brochures for a kitchen company, or developing website content for organisations of all kinds.
Some writing-focused roles may not have the word writer in the job title. For example, content is a common term used in jobs involving websites, blogs, social media and digital media. Similarly, many roles with communications or communication in the job title involve writing as a significant part of the work.
Hear from professionals working in the sector
Spotlight On: Careers in Writing
This is a broad and exciting field, and our four speakers share how they launched their careers, overcame challenges, and built success.
Speakers:
- Eve Werscoki Morris, Author (Freelance)
- Lilly Matson, Campaigns Manager, World Cancer Research Fund
- Sian Baldwin, Senior Publishing Manager
- Niamh Ellen, Medical Writer, Ashfield MedComms
- Alumni: Email us to gain access to the webinar
Languages graduate working in content creation
Sia Danielson Clayton is a freelance content strategist and creator, who graduated from UoN with a BA French and German degree.
Find out more about her career journey as she shares her experience to date, insights and advice.
- Alumni: Email us to gain access to the webinar
What types of organisations could I work for?
Roles can be found in a wide range of organisations and sectors, including education, charities, government, healthcare, the arts, media and commercial businesses. You could work in-house, directly for an organisation, or for an agency that produces written content for clients, such as a marketing, communications or public relations agency.
Many creative writing careers are freelance or self-employed in nature, meaning that income may be less predictable and you will not receive employee benefits such as holiday pay. This is common in areas such as novel writing, scriptwriting, screenwriting and some forms of journalism.
Only a small minority of authors earn enough from book sales alone to support themselves financially, and reaching this point can take many years. Many writers combine creative writing with other sources of income, either within or outside the writing industry. Therefore, it is worth considering whether you would be comfortable with a potentially less predictable income, or whether you might prefer to pursue creative writing alongside another career.
What does the term ‘creative’ mean to you?
Many people are attracted to the idea of creative writing. However, the word creative can mean different things to different people. For example, it might mean producing an original piece of fiction, poetry or script, or it could mean developing a memorable slogan for an advertising campaign that helps promote a product or service.
Even in roles that seem highly creative and allow you to develop your own voice, you may be surprised by how collaborative the writing process can be. For example, in many areas of journalism, writers produce content for a specific audience and publication. Editors may suggest changes to the content, tone or style to ensure it meets the needs of readers and the organisation. Novelists may also receive editorial feedback on elements such as plot, pacing or character development.
In advertising, marketing and communications roles, creativity often works within a set of constraints. A client may have a specific brief, target audience, brand identity and budget, all of which influence the final piece of work.
Equally, you may find opportunities to be creative in industries that are not traditionally associated with writing or the arts. For example, organisations in sectors such as engineering, healthcare or pharmaceuticals often employ people to write stories, articles and other content for purposes including marketing, public relations, stakeholder engagement and corporate social responsibility.
Creativity in a career does not always mean complete freedom. Often, it means finding original and effective ways to communicate ideas while working within the needs of an audience, organisation or client.
What skills do I need if I want a career involving writing?
Although writing may be at the forefront of your interests, there are many different styles of writing, each with its own purpose and audience. Some graduates discover that they are particularly skilled at, or enjoy, certain types of writing more than others.
As with most careers, success depends on more than technical ability alone. Many journalists, for example, say that curiosity is one of the most important qualities for their work. Curiosity can
help you uncover stories, ask insightful questions and build relationships with sources. Strong research skills, communication skills and persistence are also highly valued.
Similarly, authors often need skills beyond writing itself. Particularly when establishing their careers, they may need to promote their work on social media, build professional networks, give talks and attend events such as book festivals and fairs.
Digital skills are also increasingly important in many writing-related roles. Depending on the position, you may need to use social media professionally, create content for websites, work with digital publishing tools, analyse online engagement data, or produce content across a range of digital platforms.
Additional skills needed:
- Research and information gathering
- Communication and interpersonal skills
- Attention to detail and proofreading
- Time management and meeting deadlines
- (particularly in marketing, PR and publishing)
- Adaptability (writing for different audiences and formats)
How do I give myself the best chance?
For many writing-related roles, employers are often more interested in seeing examples of your work than hearing that you enjoy writing.
All writing has an audience, and understanding that audience influences how, what and when you write. Different audiences have different needs, interests and expectations. Explore a variety of writing styles, formats and subjects to develop a portfolio of work and discover the types of writing you most enjoy. This can also help you refine your writing voice and identify areas of particular interest or expertise.
Alongside your academic writing, look for opportunities to write for real audiences. This might include contributing to a student magazine or newspaper, running your own blog or website, writing for a student society, creating content for social media, submitting articles to local or national publications, or entering writing competitions. Many publishers, charities, media organisations and professional bodies also run schemes designed to help new writers gain experience and build their profiles.
Regular writing practice can help you develop your skills, demonstrate your commitment to potential employers and build a portfolio that showcases your abilities.
How do I gain work experience?
Writing is an important part of many roles, meaning you can develop relevant experience through a wide range of activities, including part-time work, internships, student roles and volunteering. Consider some of the points covered on this page, such as the subjects you are interested in, the type of writing you enjoy (for example, creative writing, journalism, marketing content or writing to a client brief), and the sectors and employers that appeal to you.
This can help you identify organisations to research for work experience, internships, placements and volunteering opportunities. You could also contact organisations directly to enquire about opportunities to contribute to blogs, newsletters, social media content or other written materials.
At ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½, you can also develop relevant experience and skills through:
These opportunities may provide experience of writing for a range of purposes and audiences, including reports, blogs, marketing content, reflective pieces and online communications. They can also help you develop related skills such as communication, teamwork, project management and digital literacy.
Building a portfolio of writing samples can be particularly valuable when applying for writing-related roles, as it provides evidence of your skills and interests.
What roles are available?
The following roles involve substantial amounts of writing, although the type and purpose of that writing varies considerably.
When considering which role might suit you, think about your interests as well as your preferred style of writing. For example, if you are passionate about a particular hobby, sport or subject, you may enjoy writing for a specialist publication, website or organisation. If you are motivated by social or political issues, you might be interested in policy, communications or charity fundraising roles. If you enjoy technology and digital media, social media, content creation or digital communications could be worth exploring.
If you feel strongly about certain causes, then contributing to policy documents, or producing content to help fundraise for a charity might be for you. If you are excited by the latest technology and media, then social media content or podcasting could be something to explore.
Remember that many careers involve writing as a major part of the role, even when the job title does not include words such as writer or author.
Roles you could consider include:
- Bid writer (see CharityJob for job opportunities)
- Communications officer (see CharityJob for job opportunities)
- Fundraising/grant manager (see CharityJob for job opportunities)
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- Publishing professional - see the Publishing section of our website