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Megan
Student
Menomonie, Wisconsin
3
Questions
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Is getting an associate's degree in English or Liberal Arts the better option?
Hello! I have previously sought college advice in some of my former posts about pursuing a Bachelor's degree. I am currently considering doing an Associate's degree instead of that and planning from there if going on to a Bachelor's is something I'm interested in. I would like to ask, since I'm interested in both English and Art, particularly editing, writing, publishing, (mainly thinking of smaller publishers in entry-level roles) or a career involved with art and design, would an associate's program in Liberal Arts or English be the better option? I am also taking into consideration concentrations, supplemental certificates, and other forms of experience I can get along with the degree. Thank you so much!
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3 answers
Kim Matthews
Graphic Production Designer and Sculptor
109
Answers
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Updated
Kim’s Answer
Hi Megan,
I agree with Michelle about holding off on an associate's degree in English. I have a commercial art certificate from a technical college and about three years of university credits toward a studio art BA, and I've been working as a proofreader, copy editor, and writer since the late 1990s in addition to offering graphic design and print production services. I was trained as a proofreader when I had a temp admin gig at an executive coaching firm, then picked up technical writing there after I got brought on for a permanent role, which was later eliminated after the dot-com bust. I've been able to find interesting freelance and contract work, but roles that offer a competitive wage often require specialized training or security clearance for certain government jobs.
Times have really changed though, and will keep changing ever more rapidly and dramatically. Now we have AI to contend with, as well as countless proofreaders and copy editors who trained during the pandemic. Then there's outsourcing. As a result, wages have gone way down; I regularly see jobs advertised at well below minimum wage. As for journalism, you can see what's happened to famous broadcast journalists in recent years. And print journalism is all but dead. Many high-profile reporters have quit or been fired and are relying on their brand equity, experience, and relationships to build audiences independently.
Instead of thinking solely in terms of which major to choose, I suggest spend time looking at specific jobs you might want to do, and hope you can find some "future proof" ones if such a thing is possible. Currently there's a lot of very low-paying work out there for writers and editors to train AI bots; check out LinkedIN and Indeed to see how scarce posts are at year end, when there's very little hiring happening. After the first of the year, there will be more posts; go back and review job descriptions for responsibilities, wages, skills, and education needed for each. Currently many businesses are looking for Canva skills rather than Adobe Illustrator, for example, because it's a much cheaper solution than an Adobe subscription, (which currently costs me about $60/month, single user license, to give you an idea).
I've also found a couple of good projects editing AI-generated text, but I don't know how much longer those gigs will be available and am trying to figure out what to do next. I'm grateful that I have a broad set of skills and experiences--including project management--and suggest that you also consider ways in which you can combine your skills, interests, and talents in ways that add value for employers. All that said, of all the majors Michelle mentioned, I think business makes the most sense because you'll learn fundamentals that are less likely to change and are applicable in various environments.
Hope this helps. I try to be concise here, but you all are asking very serious questions for which the answers are sometimes very complex or hard to pin down. We're all trying to figure things out as we go. Oh--one last thing: No matter what happens, make time for the studio--whatever that looks like for you. Do what brings you joy and helps you develop your creative problem-solving skills.
Sending best wishes for great success and fulfillment in work, art, and life.
I agree with Michelle about holding off on an associate's degree in English. I have a commercial art certificate from a technical college and about three years of university credits toward a studio art BA, and I've been working as a proofreader, copy editor, and writer since the late 1990s in addition to offering graphic design and print production services. I was trained as a proofreader when I had a temp admin gig at an executive coaching firm, then picked up technical writing there after I got brought on for a permanent role, which was later eliminated after the dot-com bust. I've been able to find interesting freelance and contract work, but roles that offer a competitive wage often require specialized training or security clearance for certain government jobs.
Times have really changed though, and will keep changing ever more rapidly and dramatically. Now we have AI to contend with, as well as countless proofreaders and copy editors who trained during the pandemic. Then there's outsourcing. As a result, wages have gone way down; I regularly see jobs advertised at well below minimum wage. As for journalism, you can see what's happened to famous broadcast journalists in recent years. And print journalism is all but dead. Many high-profile reporters have quit or been fired and are relying on their brand equity, experience, and relationships to build audiences independently.
Instead of thinking solely in terms of which major to choose, I suggest spend time looking at specific jobs you might want to do, and hope you can find some "future proof" ones if such a thing is possible. Currently there's a lot of very low-paying work out there for writers and editors to train AI bots; check out LinkedIN and Indeed to see how scarce posts are at year end, when there's very little hiring happening. After the first of the year, there will be more posts; go back and review job descriptions for responsibilities, wages, skills, and education needed for each. Currently many businesses are looking for Canva skills rather than Adobe Illustrator, for example, because it's a much cheaper solution than an Adobe subscription, (which currently costs me about $60/month, single user license, to give you an idea).
I've also found a couple of good projects editing AI-generated text, but I don't know how much longer those gigs will be available and am trying to figure out what to do next. I'm grateful that I have a broad set of skills and experiences--including project management--and suggest that you also consider ways in which you can combine your skills, interests, and talents in ways that add value for employers. All that said, of all the majors Michelle mentioned, I think business makes the most sense because you'll learn fundamentals that are less likely to change and are applicable in various environments.
Hope this helps. I try to be concise here, but you all are asking very serious questions for which the answers are sometimes very complex or hard to pin down. We're all trying to figure things out as we go. Oh--one last thing: No matter what happens, make time for the studio--whatever that looks like for you. Do what brings you joy and helps you develop your creative problem-solving skills.
Sending best wishes for great success and fulfillment in work, art, and life.
Michelle M.
Actress
3276
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Megan !
That is a lot to take in all at once but I think I can narrow it down, provide some advice and hopefully you will have beneficial focus by obtaining different perspectives.
You will need to choose a career first before choosing a college Major. Your degree is going to have to align with a specific CAREER, not a variety of interests and you did not mention the actual career you're aiming for even though you said you're thinking about the publishing field.
I would not advise getting a degree in Liberal Arts as it is not a degree that connects with a career. Employers never ask for applicants with a degree in Liberal Arts. I also would not advise obtaining a degree in English, either, because although it can align with Publishing, if you change your mind about a career later on, this degree would not be able to sufficiently transfer to many other careers. My view for publishing, especially if you are not 100% positive about it, is to obtain your BACHELORS DEGREE, not an Associates, in Business, Marketing, or Journalism as there is no major program called Publishing. A Bachelors Degree in one of these subjects can qualify you for many various careers using your writing and art. It's fine to begin with an Associates Degree and go back for the Bachelors Degree later because most people applying for the same jobs as you will have their Bachelors Degree.
I also suggest majors of either marketing, business or journalism because there really aren't many publishers in or near where you live. The closest one, The University of Wisconsin in Stevens Point has Cornerstone Press which is run by students.
While you are working on your Associates Degree, you can very well take individual courses in writing and art which are skills. You can also at any time take many online classes in writing and art. Although certificates may be valuable for specific targeted careers, it is my view that you would still need a Bachelors Degree if intending to pursue publishing. Many of the professional Certifications given for publishing are offered at various on site colleges for students that meet the requirement of already having a certain amount of credits in a certain path of study. For online, Coursera offers courses in digital publishing, content creation, and graphic design, while Zippia highlights the Adobe Digital Publishing Suite Exam as a top certification for professionals using Adobe InDesign and digital publishing tools. The Nonfiction Authors Association also offers certification programs in book publishing, marketing, and publicity, designed to standardize practices for nonfiction authors and industry professionals and you'd have to find out if it is in person or online.
Keep in mind that there are a couple of types of "certificates". There are Certificates of Attendance or Completion" and Certification for professional work in a specific field. The professional Certifications are going to be the ones that count and would be recognized as carrying weight.
So, think about what you want to do, give it more time and consult with an Academic Counselor at the college you intend to go to. You're going to want the time and energy and all your efforts to pay off for a degree that can focus on a career.
I hope this helps and I wish you all the best !
That is a lot to take in all at once but I think I can narrow it down, provide some advice and hopefully you will have beneficial focus by obtaining different perspectives.
You will need to choose a career first before choosing a college Major. Your degree is going to have to align with a specific CAREER, not a variety of interests and you did not mention the actual career you're aiming for even though you said you're thinking about the publishing field.
I would not advise getting a degree in Liberal Arts as it is not a degree that connects with a career. Employers never ask for applicants with a degree in Liberal Arts. I also would not advise obtaining a degree in English, either, because although it can align with Publishing, if you change your mind about a career later on, this degree would not be able to sufficiently transfer to many other careers. My view for publishing, especially if you are not 100% positive about it, is to obtain your BACHELORS DEGREE, not an Associates, in Business, Marketing, or Journalism as there is no major program called Publishing. A Bachelors Degree in one of these subjects can qualify you for many various careers using your writing and art. It's fine to begin with an Associates Degree and go back for the Bachelors Degree later because most people applying for the same jobs as you will have their Bachelors Degree.
I also suggest majors of either marketing, business or journalism because there really aren't many publishers in or near where you live. The closest one, The University of Wisconsin in Stevens Point has Cornerstone Press which is run by students.
While you are working on your Associates Degree, you can very well take individual courses in writing and art which are skills. You can also at any time take many online classes in writing and art. Although certificates may be valuable for specific targeted careers, it is my view that you would still need a Bachelors Degree if intending to pursue publishing. Many of the professional Certifications given for publishing are offered at various on site colleges for students that meet the requirement of already having a certain amount of credits in a certain path of study. For online, Coursera offers courses in digital publishing, content creation, and graphic design, while Zippia highlights the Adobe Digital Publishing Suite Exam as a top certification for professionals using Adobe InDesign and digital publishing tools. The Nonfiction Authors Association also offers certification programs in book publishing, marketing, and publicity, designed to standardize practices for nonfiction authors and industry professionals and you'd have to find out if it is in person or online.
Keep in mind that there are a couple of types of "certificates". There are Certificates of Attendance or Completion" and Certification for professional work in a specific field. The professional Certifications are going to be the ones that count and would be recognized as carrying weight.
So, think about what you want to do, give it more time and consult with an Academic Counselor at the college you intend to go to. You're going to want the time and energy and all your efforts to pay off for a degree that can focus on a career.
I hope this helps and I wish you all the best !
Thank you so much for your insight and best wishes to you as well!
Megan
You are welcome for the advice, Megan !
Michelle M.
Adrianne Jezin
Musician
2
Answers
Long Beach, California
Updated
Adrianne’s Answer
Getting a degree in English and art. Okay so what is it you want to become? An english teacher, an art teacher? A graphic artist perhaps? Journalism? Either way, you’re gonna need that bachelors degree, nobody will take you seriously otherwise. Go for it!