Editing, tutoring, noveling, PhDing – what to do with writing??!

Parent Cafe
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<p>Hello there,</p>

<p>I’m having one of those “what am I going to do for the rest of my life?!” panics, and I thought I would write down all of my options/worries and seek some further advice.</p>

<p>First off, here are my majors: Writing and Rhetoric and French Language and Literature (I'm a rising junior). For those of you who are unfamiliar with a rhetoric program, it focuses not on literature but on types of arguments. Specifically at my university, we study the ancient rhetoric of Aristotle, the modern rhetoric of our government and of politics, the everyday rhetoric of trying to convince your mom to let you go to Cancun over spring break, the rhetoric of the media and of design, and other angles of writing and communication. I’m in a certain track that focuses on student writing and how to actually teach/evaluate it, and I work at my university’s writing center and so directly apply and demonstrate these concepts.</p>

<p>French is my “fun” major and is something that I strive to learn and apply effectively in my life. In 2 weeks I’m leaving to study abroad in Montreal and am hopefully going to be able to study in France at some point, and though I’ve yet to take the hard literature courses, I’ve been doing well in my French classes and have been told I have great language-learning potential.</p>

<p>So, this all leaves me at this: yes I heartily enjoy my 2 majors, but at the same time, I don’t have any direct notion of my future career. I mentioned a PhD because that interests me as well. I really love the writing and rhetoric discipline and I also like working with students at the writing center, so in a lot of ways, I feel like I don’t want to stop learning and sharing knowledge. I don’t know if this makes an automatic fit for a college professor/writing center administrator, but it’s definitely an option, and my professors at school are supportive and have assured me that they’d help me with the process.</p>

<p>Additionally, even though my writing major is more academic and practical, I have a very imaginative side to my soul. I love writing fiction and watching movies, and over the years, I've established some decent writing techniques and styles. Though I haven’t taken any creative writing/screenwriting classes at the college level, I feel like writing novels and movies is something I could definitely do. I was always discouraged from this type of creative endeavor since my mom thinks it’s a nice, braggable hobby but not a steady, guaranteed career, but deep down inside, I feel like I could make it if I only gave it my all and was given a chance.</p>

<p>I’m not a completely hopeless romantic. I know that I’m majoring in two very competitive fields. There aren’t a lot of successful writers out there and the academic market is atrocious, so I know what I’m up against. Likewise, it's hard to become completely fluent in a foreign language and your job prospects are only as good as your fluency. However, I know that a person works ten times as hard and with ten times as much zeal if they’re doing what they sincerely, genuinely love, so I’m kind of hoping that can aid me in my future quests.</p>

<p>That’s my story and where I’m at right now, and I’d appreciate any advice as to how I should prepare for the real, mean world. I have 2 years left at my university and am preparing for some writing center conferences, so while I’m doing well in that area, I feel like time is running out for my creative writing, which admittedly does sadden me quite a bit. </p>

<p>Thanks for reading my tale, and I'm sorry if it veers off course or doesn't make sense.</p>

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<p>Have you considered journalistic pursuits?</p>

<p>You could become a reporter or an editor.</p>

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<p>

This is where you go off the rails. Throughout history people have pursued creative writing while engaged in other pursuits or activities. They wrote while raising children, while at war, while working other jobs. In fact, it gives you more to say if you are battling through a challenge just to get it down on paper. Pursue something that will pay a salary. Write creative work on the side. If you are lucky and produce the next Harry Potter, you will be doing well enough to leave your salaried job for the creative writing. </p>

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<p>It seems you could find work teaching writing or as a writing center admin. You’re being realistic in considering a way to support yourself doing something you enjoy. And you can still do the creative writing on the side or during breaks. Another idea: Would you like to teach French in the US? A relative of mine has an MA in French and teaches intro. courses at a state u. She is far from fluent, but has a lot of knowledge/enthusiasm for French culture, history, food, geography, literature, film, etc., which she conveys to her students-- perfect for introducing beginning students to all things French. Plus, she gets to travel in the summer. She won a big teaching award in her state. Just saying, you don’t HAVE to be completely fluent. . . . One more thought–I know this discouraged now, but have you considered law?–with your rhetoric/writing skills it could be a good fit.</p>

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<p>My friend who is a novelist wrote a novel on the side while she was in college. She wrote more while she was a priest. So yes, if you really want to write fiction, you will find time for it. It sounds like right now your experience is leading you to some sort of work where you either teach writing or writing is a big part of the job. Does politics interest you? There’s a lot of things that need to be written in politics - not just speeches. </p>

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<p>Thanks for the replies! You all are right in that creative writing takes time and that it’s usually done around other things. I guess I just feel guilty that I haven’t formally studied it since I truly enjoy it. </p>

<p>I haven’t really considered journalism since I know there’s a separate program for that kind of work, and I never even looked into reporting. I will have to do some research on that. I have considered law (I was actually set on law school all throughout high school), and I plan on taking the LSAT next summer just to see how I do. I’m not committing myself to the idea, but that’s definitely something I’ve always thought about. (And I agree that the rhetoric certainly might help, though I don’t know if I’d be fit as an attorney.) </p>

<p>In regards to politics, I’ve never really been a political person, but I’ve dabbled with politics for class since we need to be somewhat versed in it. What other kinds of writing could there be besides speeches or formal statements? And how could someone even get involved with that? I didn’t even think about that as an option, but it does sound interesting! </p>

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<p>Look up Peggy Noonan who was the speech writer for Reagan and see her background as to how she eventually got the job.</p>

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<p>I recently read an article about creative writing majors being one of the most highly paid corporate employees and that companies are in such dire need of good writing that they are recruiting. I’ll try to find the article online for you, later.</p>

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<p>If you want to learn about politics, volunteer to work in a campaign–you won’t get turned away and while you might have to do grunt work at first, let people know about your writing skills. There are Congressional races going on right now. Lots to do on all campaigns before the mid-term elections in November. What state do you live in? Check to see of there’s a governor’s race going on or a US Senate race too.</p>

<p>Another way to see if your interested in using your skills in the political arena is to volunteer or intern for a political consulting firm.</p>

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<p>Cannot find the article at this time. But google “companies hiring writers” and so on and a lot will come up. For example, <a href=“Why Every Tech Company Needs An English Major - ReadWrite”>ReadWrite - Where Technology Meets the World;

<p>Your training in rhetoric will be very valuable. I loved reading about it: few schools offer this training anymore. If you become fluent in French, that may also be valuable.</p>

<p>I have spent years working for non-profits doing most of the writing for grants, newsletters, brochures, press releases, thank you letters, and correspondence in general. Nowadays that also includes websites and social media. You can pick up some of the technical skills for these at community college and adult education centers after you graduate. Desktop publishing for instance. </p>

<p>Your post is refreshing, to be honest. You are clearly bright, motivated and intellectual, in a way not many are today. Your education will prepare you for many possibilities. It does seem that whatever you do, some teaching might be involved. You might also look into Teach for America or Americorps if you are not going right into grad school. You can always tutor while you figure things out: some tutoring jobs are paid fairly well.</p>

<p>I would say continue to explore your interests, working in the writing center and any other interning or volunteering you might want to do, during the school year and the summers. In the fall of senior year you can get down to job search in earnest, or grad school applications, but enjoy your studies in the coming year without undue stress about the future.</p>

<p>It may take some time to find what you want to do long term. That is okay!</p>

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<p>I suggest that you start by structuring creative writing into your life by taking a class ASAP. It is not uncommon, I think, for creative writing classes to have a specific focus in any given term. Pick something that interests you. See how that goes. Yes, some writers write while doing something else as a day job. But writing is very, very difficult even if you are driven to do it. You may find that you would rather teach about writing than do it yourself, or that you like some kinds of writing but not others. I like Bromfield’s advice about exploring politics by volunteering.</p>

<p>It is great that you are actively thinking about what you want to do in the future in terms of your skills and what you enjoy doing. You have a lot of options.</p>

<p>My S, who was a French major in college, gradually identified writing as his desired career path, and <em>finally</em> took a creative writing class the very last term of senior year. It was a breakthrough experience for him. He subsequently went to journalism school and has his first job as a reporter on a regional daily newspaper. </p>

<p>Maybe you would prefer a (funded) MFA program. (They are VERY difficult to get into, and you need a portfolio.) Maybe you would prefer to teach HS. Maybe you would prefer to do PR, or technical writing, or corporate communications. You can look into getting a position as an “assistant” teaching English in France for a year after you graduate. There is an entire official program, and you would have a modest stipend. </p>

<p>But please, for the love of doG, if you really love to write, do not listen to people who tell you not to take a few classes because it is supposedly impractical. These four years are your best opportunity to explore. Take advantage of them. You have the rest of your life to sit in a cubicle doing a “practical” job.</p>

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<p>Thanks for all the replies and suggestions! I really, really appreciate it. </p>

<p>I live in SE Michigan, so I know there’s always something going on in the tri-county area. I will look into the events and campaigns and see what kinds of things I could possibly do. I will read up on Peggy Noonan as well.</p>

<p>In regards to the creative writing courses, they’re all actually full right now for the fall and I have a packed schedule as it is. Would taking it at a community college next summer suffice? Are there any other ways to independently study it? (I already write quite often in addition to serving as a type of beta reader, but is that considered good practice?) </p>

<p>As for teaching English abroad in France, that’s definitely something I would consider after I graduate. I’ve been told it’d be a good thing to do even if I decide to go to grad school since I’d be able to live out my French dreams and get a taste of the world before buckling down. However, with this type of thing, would my tutoring experience really be similar? I mean, teaching content from scratch is a lot different than just narrowing in on certain parts as a sort of supplement, so how would I know if being a primary instructor is something I can do? </p>

<p>Thank you all so much again. It’s helpful to hear anecdotes of people who are in similar fields. </p>

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<p>In the French program you would be a teaching assistant, not the primary instructor. Familiarity with French is good, but I do not believe you have to be fluent.</p>

<p>Any way to schedule “creative” writing into your life works but taking a class is good because it means that your writing is part of your academic load, not something to work in around the edges. And, of course, you get formal feedback, which can be invaluable. If fall classes are full, sign up for one in the spring. If you aren’t motivated to make time for it, that may tell you something about your real priorities. :slight_smile: (No criticism implied.) The one commonality is that writers write. All the time, often on a schedule. Lots of people enjoy writing here and there, but faced with the necessity of producing steady output, just can’t force themselves to do it.</p>

<p>I have a college friend who majored in French and became, for a while, a speechwriter for state politicians and then for GHW Bush. :slight_smile: I think she started out volunteering. She also edited a local newspaper.</p>

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<p>Creative writing isn’t over with college! You can do it on the side along with a career. I’ve always loved to write, it’s been my thing since I was a kid and wrote notebooks and notebooks full of stories. </p>

<p>Have you considered a career as a copywriter? I’m in marketing right now, but it just happened to work out for me to start doing some copy writing projects and now I’m hoping to transition into a full time copy writing position. I love being able to write for my job and it’s been a lot of fun to write all different kinds of copy - short blurbs, emails, blogs, longer educational articles, etc. Writing at work has also reignited my love to write for myself, too. I’m very slowly chugging along on a novel of my own on the weekends and in the evenings during the work week if I have time. </p>

<p>Writing doesn’t end when you graduate - it will always be there for you, even if you have to take a break because you’re too busy with your “real” job, you can always go back to it.</p>

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<p>I laughed a little when @atomom suggested law school, because I was an aspiring writer who switched to French Language/Lit major, and then went to law school! You definitely sound like someone who would do well in the law – which, just to be clear, doesn’t necessarily mean litigation or working in a big corporate law firm. I left litigation, spent 14 years at home with my kids, and I’m now working in environmental policy and advocacy. (And by the way, one of my fellow policy experts is someone who majored in Slavic Languages/Literatures! You never know where life will take you.)</p>

<p>Being a good writer does open a lot of doors for you. I know someone who majored in something like medieval literature, and she found her way into marketing for a pharmaceutical company and is now probably one of the most knowledgeable people in the country on various cancer treatments. I know someone else who for the last twenty years has made quite a decent living by freelance editing – she has to edit extremely boring articles about things like changes in tax policy and how this or that new piece of legislation will affect industry outcomes in the blahblah field, so it’s not all fun and games, but she has a stable list of clients and she’s never lacked for work. </p>

<p>My main advice to you would be to keep up with the work at your school’s writing center, and work your connections from that job to find your next job. You’ve found a way to be paid for your writing skills, which is all the start you need. Build up a resume that says to a potential employer “I am such a good writer and editor that people pay me to do it.” </p>

<p>To be honest, I found my French major to be pretty much a dead end, because I wasn’t interested in teaching and I didn’t have the fluency to really leverage my language skills into anything. I only majored in French because I was enjoying my French lit classes more than my English lit classes, so I switched over. I will say it’s something that’s been a good icebreaker during job interviews – every interviewer always says “so, you majored in French Literature? Tell me about that.”</p>

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<p>Organizations that require good writers:</p>

<p>think tanks
<a href=“List of think tanks in the United States - Wikipedia”>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_think_tanks_in_the_United_States&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>NGOs – too many to list</p>

<p>congressional staffer
<a href=“Congressional staffers: What's it like to work for a member of Congress?”>http://www.slate.com/blogs/quora/2013/11/07/congressional_staffers_what_s_it_like_to_work_for_a_member_of_congress.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>lobbying organizations – too many to list</p>

<p>foreign service
<a href=“Foreign Service Officer - Careers”>http://careers.state.gov/work/foreign-service/officer&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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<p>Thank you all so much for your help! hj0519 and dustypig, thanks for the personal anecdotes, and I appreciate the links, GMTplus7. I will definitely get to reading everything. </p>

<p>And dustypig, it’s funny how you also had a blend of writing, French, and law interests! It seems to have worked out for you, and I’m glad :slight_smile: Specifically, did you feel that your experiences with your French classes helped improve your writing and your analytical skills? I find that I pay much more attention to the finicky rules of English since I compare it to French and that I’m better able to logically deduce things since I so often decode strange French words while reading. These types of skills do seem to point towards a certain kind of law readiness, so maybe I’ll have to further consider that option as well. </p>

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<p>You might want to also look into copy writing. When you respond to an ad, someone wrote that, and they did so in a specific way that made you read further or click on a link or check out their product. Plus (from what I’ve heard) it’s work you could do at an office or freelance, so maybe (once you got established) you could do freelance copywriting to pay the bills while you worked on a novel.</p>

<p>I’ve been writing since I can remember, and only now (after 30 years) am I seeing some positive feedback. What I’ve tried to do (to keep myself sane and feel like I haven’t given up on my dream) is incorporate my love of writing into my day job. I now maintain our small firm’s blog and post articles on events that affect our industry. </p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

<p>By the way, did your photo have some work done? Used to be more of an orange moon look…:)</p>

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<p>Sorry not to have responded to this sooner – I didn’t bookmark this thread and it fell off the first page. I don’t know that learning the French language did all that much for my analytical ability, though I will say that learning to deconstruct texts in the approved French literary criticism way did a lot for it.</p>

<p>Honestly, I’m not sure whether I would advise anyone to go to law school in the current economic climate. I keep hearing that people are graduating from competitive law schools and not finding work – that law firms are going to the part-time contractor model, where they bring on a bunch of temporary folks when they have a big case coming to trial and have to do a lot of discovery or whatever, rather than hiring associates on their permanent payroll. </p>