If you love to write in your spare time and cannot bear it when people misuse a comma, apostrophe, or capital letter, you might enjoy much career satisfaction as a writer. However, you don’t need to write a novel, screenplay, or play to establish a career in the creative field.
You can choose from many well-paid jobs in fields that need exceptional writing skills. If you’re eager to turn your passion for the written word into a career, check out these ten rewarding occupations for those who love writing.
- A Journalist
If you often feel frustrated at the quality of various publications and news stories and believe you could do better, you may enjoy a long, successful career as a journalist. Each day you’ll need to research potential news stories and write about your findings for a specific news publication, such as a newspaper or magazine.
Of course, as print is a dying industry, it would be smart to turn your attention toward publishing articles on online publications. Many are looking for writers with high journalistic standards and an ability to capture their readers’ attention. Enjoy success in the field by gaining an online masters in journalism. In addition to gaining traditional journalism skills, such as writing, editing, and reporting, you will also master digital media platforms and connect with readers using video, photography, audio, and design.
- Public Relations (PR) Specialist
As a PR specialist, you will be responsible for building a brand’s awareness and engagement. To enjoy success in the field, you must develop positive relationships with various media professionals, develop engaging, informative press releases, and lead consumer campaigns. Also, it will be your responsibility to prevent or minimize negative press to protect a company’s industry reputation and finances.
As a PR specialist, you can work across various fields and for different-sized companies. For example, you could work for an:
- Independent business
- A non-profit organization
- An academic institution
- A business group or corporation
- A digital marketing agency
- An individual, such as a celebrity, politician, or public figure
If a PR specialist career sounds perfect for your needs, you will typically need to earn a bachelor’s degree in public relations, marketing, communications, or a similar field. PR specialists often earn a salary between $48,000 to $100,000 per annum. However, the more success you experience driving positive press and increasing brand awareness, the more money you can request from an employer.
- Copywriter
If you have a flair for the written word and are interested in marketing, a copywriting career might be right up your street. While your tasks are determined by your employer, the job will require you to write compelling, persuasive copy to encourage a reader to perform an action.
For example, you may need to write an engaging advertisement, publish interesting landing page content, or produce an effective sales letter. Thanks to your creative copy, you will help companies improve their conversion rate and revenue. While the average copywriter can earn $52,000+ per annum, experienced copywriters could demand a much higher salary for their expertise. To become a copywriter, you will need to earn a degree in journalism, English language, marketing, or literature.
- A Technical Writer
If you have a rare ability to turn complex ideas into easy-to-read copy, you could make a living as a technical writer. The role will require you to translate technical topics into simple materials a general audience can read with ease, such as journal articles, educational resources, tutorials, and instruction manuals.
Technical writers possess exceptional writing skills to break down a complex topic into layman’s terms. For this reason, they must develop an in-depth understanding of various tech-related concepts, which will enable them to identify the best non-technical language when producing copy.
If a technical career sounds interesting, pursue a degree in journalism or English, and gain experiences in a specific subject matter, such as information technology, computer science, specific scientific research, or manufacturing processes. By doing so, you will be rewarded with a large salary and a varied working life.
- Medical Writer
A medical writer is similar to a technical writing career, as you must break down complex healthcare ideas and concepts before translating them into easy-to-read copy. As you can expect, you will need to have a healthcare focus in the role, as you may produce various policy documents, training materials, educational content, and medical articles.
It’s an ideal career for a passionate writer interested in healthcare, as you can work in various healthcare environments, such as:
- Healthcare providers (e.g., hospitals, medical practices, dental clinics, etc.)
- Medical associations
- Pharmaceutical companies
- Medical device organizations
- Supplement companies
- Health tech startups
If you would like to pursue a medical writing career, you’ll need to earn a degree in biology or another science. Yet, medical field experience combined with impeccable writing and research skills might be the only requirement in a job description.
- Grant Writer
A grant writing career will allow you to make a positive difference to society and the economy. After identifying potential sources for business funding, you can write a compelling proposal to secure funds for a non-profit organization or foundation. It will allow you to work for an organization that matches your values and taps into a passion. Also, you could learn about various social issues and play a key role in changing or expanding an organization’s efforts.
If a grant writing career ticks every box on your writing list, gain a degree in either technical writing, communications, English, or a similar discipline. However, some organizations might be willing to hire you as a grant writer if you have earned a degree in their field, such as healthcare.
- Communications Manager
Communications managers will shape a company’s tone of voice, customer service experience, and profitability. Your primary responsibilities will include developing and executing the company’s tone of voice that matches the brand’s image, mission, and values. Plus, you must create an effective communication strategy to improve engagement, conversions, and customer satisfaction.
Typical daily duties include writing and publishing press releases, holding press conferences, sending internal and external business communications, and identifying potential media opportunities to boost engagement.
As good communication is critical in business, your role will require much writing and editing. Also, you must routinely connect with management, colleagues, and external partners to publish accurate, positive, and interesting materials. If this role sounds perfect, earn a degree in communications, marketing, or a similar field.
- Editor
If you are naturally creative, have exceptional attention to detail, and class yourself as a talented wordsmith, an editing career might provide much job satisfaction. Your responsibilities will vary as an editor, as you may need to develop a thesis, framing, and structure for a copy. Also, you much fact-check content and ensure all sources are credible.
Your expertise and leadership will guide many talented writers throughout their careers, as you will need to make suggestions on how they can improve their writing, such as developing a stronger tone of voice in an article, column, or book.
It’s an ideal role for those who love to correct spelling and grammar mistakes and eliminate unnecessary words, sentences, or paragraphs in copy. As an editor, you can enter different settings, such as magazines, newspapers, media companies, book publishers, and brands.
To enjoy success as an editor, you must have a rock-solid understanding of:
- Grammar
- Narrative
- Structure
- Style
Secure an editing career by earning a writing-related degree, such as journalism or English. Your first editing role likely won’t provide a substantial salary, but your income will increase as you progress in your career.
- Proposal Writer
Many companies need to hire talented, passionate proposal writers to help their businesses secure key contracts. Organizations of various sizes depending on proposals for forming strong professional relationships and generating healthy revenue.
As a proposal writer, you must write persuasive documents to demonstrate how your employer can meet a potential client’s various needs. It is a perfect path for those with excellent writing and research skills. To enter a proposal writing career, you must earn a degree in English, journalism, or a similar discipline.
- Social Media Manager
If you are more than a little social media savvy, are always interested in the best and latest online platforms, and have a passion for writing and marketing, take the steps to become a social media manager. You will play a key role in a company’s success, as you must create and publish attention-grabbing, creative content to grab people’s attention on various social media networks, such as Facebook, Instagram, Tik Tok, and more.
When you’re not busy brainstorming ideas and publishing compelling content, you will use various analysis tools to monitor audience engagement, such as post reach, comments, and click-through rates. You must then use this information to optimize future content to help a brand reach its target audience and secure and retain customers.
If you would love to become an expert in Instagram, Facebook, or another social media network, earn a degree in marketing, communications, or a related field. Also, improve your social media knowledge to impress a hiring manager, such as the best online practices and creative ideas to increase online engagement.
In some cases, you may not need a degree to enter an entry-level position, as many companies might be happy to hire candidates who possess exceptional writing, planning, and customer service skills.
