Staying Alive with a Writing Degree

When people ask me what degree I have, I say, "I've got Bachelor of the Arts in Writing, with a Minor in Literature." That isn't exactly the truth. In reality, my BA in Writing is a BA in the Liberal Arts with a focus on Writing.

This slight of hand isn't my fault-it's The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey's fault. They offer a Liberal Arts program that they call LIBA. Basically, if The RSCNJ doesn't offer the major that you want, you're allowed to make a close approximation of that major with the approval of two faculty supervisor and the Dean of General Studies. So, since Stockton didn't offer a Writing major, I had to make one.

First, that sounds like a very intensive process. It isn't. Basically, you need two faculty members who believe in you and your want for Marine Criminology. Then you look at the courses offered at the College and plot out a 4 year course plan. This course plan isn't binding; it just looks nice on paper. Then you have a meeting with the Dean while wearing a nice suit, nod and say the right words, and presto. LIBA granted.

Second, even if it's asy to get, the LIBA program still sounds great and seems quite student friendly. However, the piece of paper LIBA graduates are given after four years grants them a BA in Liberal Arts. Not exactly the most prestigious of words to be scrawled on that proudly framed degree hanging on the wall behind your desk. That doesn't change the fact that an inordinate amount of my classes were writing classes. Poetry, Fiction, Creative Non-Fiction, Satire, Modernism, Experimental styles-take your pick; I had a class in it. I am, by training, trade, and truth, a writer. Degrees, after all, are only expensive pieces of paper.

The Fallout

I had the unfortunate luck of graduating in May 2009. From then until present (March 2010), the job market hasn't exactly been booming. Most employers haven't been hiring, much less hiring inexperienced, fresh-out-of-college, kids. The jobs that have been available aren't the jobs that require a college degree.

You don't need a job to make use a writing degree. Or, rather, you don't need a job to write. You only need a piece of paper and a pen. A computer will suffice, too. So, fresh out of school, that's what I did. I wrote.

I finished stories that got put aside for other projects, started new stories, entered contests, and helped friends edit their writing. I worked my overnight, slave-wage McJob and wrote whenever possible. Some projects were finished; some were left by the wayside. I started a graphic novel collaboration with a friend only to have him decide he no longer liked to draw-but at least I started.

I hate to sound like every other book on writing or writing teacher out there, but what they all say is true. The best way to get better at writing is to write. If you've got a writing degree and can't find job that makes use of it-don't worry. Just write. Eventually something will win a contest or get published. At worst, you'll expand your portfolio...and that's never a bad thing.

Staking a Claim

During the summer, I found a small niche. It wasn't a major vein of gold, but it was something. I enjoy smoking cigars and have a decently trained palate, so I started reviewing cigars. I would receive small packages of cigars to review from other forum members.

With the coming of Spring, I've decided to monetize the process via websites such as Associated Content. It isn't bringing in huge money and it won't (unless I somehow hit it huge), but it is being read and bringing in some money. With time, it might create a small, but steady revenue stream. And if it never takes off, at least I'm being read by people who aren't my parents and getting to try cigars for free.

Most of us are Bound

But writers are certainly allowed to freelance. When the school-year started up again, I picked up hours as a substitute teacher. I also started grabbing a few freelance assignments. Some blog posts, a few pieces of copy, another article on Associated Content, an article for a small local paper (or the old college paper)-whatever I could find and was within reason. None of it was the new Great American Novel, but not every hit is a homerun.

It isn't glamorous, it isn't high pay, but if you got into writing for the fame and fortune, you made a serious mistake.

Looking Forward

It's hard to find that last inch of the dirty bathroom floor in the book market. Just about every topic within every genre has already been written about. But that doesn't mean that I'm giving up on getting a book published. The current lack of prestige and money in the freelance market won't discourage me, either.

Of all of the people who I've kept in touch with from my graduating class, only one has gotten a job directly related to his degree. The job market just isn't there for, well, pretty much everything. I'll keep plugging away with what I know and keep writing. Whether or not my next trick will need a volunteer is up in the air-but I know that I've got another trick coming, and another one, and another one, and another one.