What Can I Do With a Master’s in Professional Writing?

If you have a way with the written word or simply enjoy the process of using language to convey meaning to others, your vocational aspirations may have led you consider earning a Master’s in Professional Writing?

Although each university that offers a Master’s in Professional Writing will be different, the program is basically one that prepares students to excel within a plethora of fields related to writing such as arts, publishing, education, and business. Students will often have the opportunity to study three types of writing: composition and rhetoric, creative writing, and applied writing. Each of these types enables students to gain practical and theoretical knowledge regarding how to work within distinct writing sectors.

By gaining proficiency in the ability to produce and analyze creative, journalistic, technical, and business texts, students will attain a sophisticated understanding of important writing elements such as structure, audience, and style. Ideally, individuals who complete these programs will become the type of flexible writers who can master the writing conventions of any genre and adapt their style to meet the requirements of different rhetorical contexts.

Career Opportunities After Earning a Master’s in Professional Writing

Because writing is needed in almost every professional career sector, there are numerous vocational opportunities that individuals who have obtained a Master’s in Professional Writing will have. Here are just a few of the many job positions you could apply for with this degree:

1. Web Content Writer

The rise of internet website and blogs has resulted in the need for writers who can create great content. Individuals who have obtained a Master’s in Professional Writing can often excel in this sector as a result of their ability to quickly master the specific stylistic requirements indigenous to this genre. For example, the type of online content that is generally marketed well will be “scannable,” meaning that readers can quickly scan through the text to find the information they want. In recognizing this principle, individuals who write web content will include textual elements like bullets, headers, and numbered lists.

2. Technical Writer

Technical writers are individuals who prepare journal articles, instruction manuals, and various other documents designed to effectively communicate technical and complex information to the public. Technical writers are also responsible for the development, gathering, and dissemination of technical information among designers, manufacturers, and customers. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, technical writers can expect to earn about $65,500 annually.

3. Editor

The primary task of the editor is to plan, review, and revise various forms of content such that its form and content is fit for publication. Because individuals who obtain a Master’s in Professional Writing often spend extensive time evaluating written texts, they can generally excel in this field. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that editors earn about $53,880 annually.

The aforementioned job opportunities are just three of several that individuals who obtain a Master’s in Professional Writing will have. Some other options include becoming a screenwriter or pursuing entrepreneurial work such as novel writing. Now that you’re aware of several vocational opportunities you can pursue upon attaining a Master’s in Professional Writing, you can decide whether this is the right career path for you.

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