4 answers
Jaeda
Student
Springfield, Massachusetts
1
Question
Updated
448 views
How can I choose the right job or college to catered towards what I want to do for my career to be an Author?
I am 19, I graduated high-school last year. I was class of 2025 in June. My original plan was to attend college like everyone and my parents wanted. I did online but things got hectic for me so I left. I've never had a job. I know that writing is my passion. I would love to become an Author one day. But I still unfortunately struggle to get a job because well what I've been taught is that I need a degree or start from just any random job just so I could be successful. But it stresses me because something I learned about myself is I am not interested in school as much. I know I want to learn but I want to decide my success for itself because I always let what everyone says affect what I do. I just want advice on how I can find a decent job or school that I like without compromising what I want to do. I know my success is not the same as anyone else's but the point is that I want to do something I love for the rest of my life, not something I hate.
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4 answers
Liam Rielly
Data Center Technician
180
Answers
Manassas, Virginia
Updated
Liam’s Answer
I agree with Karin and I think her answer provides great direction!
With that, sometimes getting a degree or a job you don't love but just work is fine. I know people who work their job in finance but do what they love at the end of the day. Sometimes a job is just a job and a degree is just a packed parachute. I recommend getting the degree and having some skills even if your plan is to write in the end.
If you want to write about something, getting a degree in that field and becoming an authority on that topic. This will help you get published because you are an expert people want to hear! Other than that, keep your creative thinking alive, write just to write, and promote what you do! Don't make being a writer an eventual thing, don't make a degree an "instead" of writing. This is a path you can do both and be successful the way you want to be!
With that, sometimes getting a degree or a job you don't love but just work is fine. I know people who work their job in finance but do what they love at the end of the day. Sometimes a job is just a job and a degree is just a packed parachute. I recommend getting the degree and having some skills even if your plan is to write in the end.
If you want to write about something, getting a degree in that field and becoming an authority on that topic. This will help you get published because you are an expert people want to hear! Other than that, keep your creative thinking alive, write just to write, and promote what you do! Don't make being a writer an eventual thing, don't make a degree an "instead" of writing. This is a path you can do both and be successful the way you want to be!
jose pimienta
comics and storyboarding
32
Answers
Burbank, California
Updated
jose’s Answer
Hi. I'm. a big believer that education is not limited to the classroom. I understand you don't want to go to school, and that's totally fine, but in order to become a writer, it is important to continue learning. Because of that, I recommend you seek other ways to continue your education: Find a writer's group and commit. If you can't find a writer's group, make one and commit to it. Read as much as you can, and write as often as you can. Go to writer's events. Go to workshops. Build a community and learn from them. Talk with other writers, talk with different editors, and meet agents.
Writing is re-writing, so, keep honing your craft. Learn to take criticism and listen to your instincts.
I will say, however, that even though right now a degree is not in your interest, and that's valid, it does come in handy for a lot of things. You don't need a degree to be a writer, but it's useful in the literary world. not to mention, networking comes with more ease in an academic environment. But if you find joy in having a day job that doesn't require a degree while you continue to hone your craft and become a better writer, by all means, take that route. Still, acquiring a degree comes with its benefits. And just in case you haven't heard this one: You can take your time. Good writing takes its time on a regular basis.
There's a cliche that says "Write what you know" and while true, I feel it's incomplete. Write what you know, but keep learning, so you have more to write about.
Best of success to you. Keep writing and keep sharing your work. That's what gets you noticed.
Writing is re-writing, so, keep honing your craft. Learn to take criticism and listen to your instincts.
I will say, however, that even though right now a degree is not in your interest, and that's valid, it does come in handy for a lot of things. You don't need a degree to be a writer, but it's useful in the literary world. not to mention, networking comes with more ease in an academic environment. But if you find joy in having a day job that doesn't require a degree while you continue to hone your craft and become a better writer, by all means, take that route. Still, acquiring a degree comes with its benefits. And just in case you haven't heard this one: You can take your time. Good writing takes its time on a regular basis.
There's a cliche that says "Write what you know" and while true, I feel it's incomplete. Write what you know, but keep learning, so you have more to write about.
Best of success to you. Keep writing and keep sharing your work. That's what gets you noticed.
Karin P.
Lecturer, Academic Advisor, Career Coach, Mentor
1209
Answers
Göttingen, Lower Saxony, Germany
Updated
Karin’s Answer
Hi Jaeda,
It's great that you have identified a strong passion for writing. Now, you need to find a way to make it happen.
Being an author is a career that does not require a college education or a degree but can certainly benefit from having/getting a degree. You could e.g. look for programs in creative writing. If you don't want to go to college, you need to find some other ways to get out there to write and learn. There are writers collectives and workshops (both local and online) where you could participate. They provide a community of other writers, readers for your stories, critique and feedback as well as accountability. I left some links for you below.
Being an author is also a career that does not come with a regular pay check. It could be many years before you make any money being an author. Or you might never make any money. So, you need to find a way to support yourself. You'll have to decide if you want to pursue a career other than writing and write in your spare time or if you want to work a minimal job to pay the bills while you spend most of your time writing. Or something in between. You could also pursue a writing-intensive "more practical" career like technical writing.
If you have no interest in school and are not interested in studying and you don't feel it would benefit you in your career aspirations, don't go just because "everyone does it" or "my parents want me to". College is too expensive for that. If you are ambivalent about college, you can take a creative writing class at your local community college to see how you like it:
https://catalog.springfield.edu/preview_course_nopop.php?catoid=92&coid=103710
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
https://www.facebook.com/groups/2906972692786264/
https://www.meetup.com/springfield-writers-block-meetup-group/
https://strawdogwriters.org/writing-resources
https://www.scribophile.com/
https://www.consciouswriterscollective.com/
It's great that you have identified a strong passion for writing. Now, you need to find a way to make it happen.
Being an author is a career that does not require a college education or a degree but can certainly benefit from having/getting a degree. You could e.g. look for programs in creative writing. If you don't want to go to college, you need to find some other ways to get out there to write and learn. There are writers collectives and workshops (both local and online) where you could participate. They provide a community of other writers, readers for your stories, critique and feedback as well as accountability. I left some links for you below.
Being an author is also a career that does not come with a regular pay check. It could be many years before you make any money being an author. Or you might never make any money. So, you need to find a way to support yourself. You'll have to decide if you want to pursue a career other than writing and write in your spare time or if you want to work a minimal job to pay the bills while you spend most of your time writing. Or something in between. You could also pursue a writing-intensive "more practical" career like technical writing.
If you have no interest in school and are not interested in studying and you don't feel it would benefit you in your career aspirations, don't go just because "everyone does it" or "my parents want me to". College is too expensive for that. If you are ambivalent about college, you can take a creative writing class at your local community college to see how you like it:
https://catalog.springfield.edu/preview_course_nopop.php?catoid=92&coid=103710
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
Karin recommends the following next steps:
Rich Feitelberg
Novelist
33
Answers
Quincy, Massachusetts
Updated
Rich’s Answer
You have to decide what best for you. I was in your position at your age. I went to college, studied writing and eventually practiced it as a technical writer. Then later began writing creatively. I got through school working in a supermarket part time. That paid for tuition. When I got a technical writing job I was able to control my own life better. But it’s your choice on what you do and how you reach your goal. Good luck.