I’m sure all the current and former English literature and Liberal Arts majors have heard the warnings that your job does not lead to a high-paying career path. There’s pressure to choose a more reliable course of study like business, accounting, nursing, or law. The good news is that there are opportunities for creatives who love to write and tell stories. Discovering your next career move will take a diligent eye.
In honor of Black National Poetry Day, we want to focus on career opportunities for the poetry lover.
Here are six job ideas for the aspiring poet.
Copywriter
A copywriter job is a position for wordsmiths! You will research, report, and write copy in a brand’s voice. Your job is to craft copy that aligns with the company’s mission, vision, and target audience. The ultimate goal is to create a narrative that drives revenue for a business.
Professor/Educator
The possibilities are endless for subjects you can teach related to poetry. Whether you teach English literature, creative writing, poetry, fiction, genre fiction, digital creative fiction, or screenwriting, many education roles are available. You’d need to pursue higher education as a professor. Many higher education roles typically require a Master’s or PhD.
Editor
If you have a fine eye for detail and diction, pursuing a career in the editorial field will suit you. Journalism and online media are ever-evolving fields, and editors are always needed. Whether you work for a literary magazine or a publishing house, a position as an editor will allow you to put your love of words to good use.
Librarian
For the poetry lover, there’s nothing better than being surrounded by words all day and every day. In most states, a master’s degree in library science, or MLS, is required to become a librarian. In addition to a love of words, other skills necessary for success in the field are administration and organizational skills, analytical skills to create systems and procedures, and strong oral and verbal communication skills.
Art Historian
The love for culture and appreciation for visual, oral, and written communication is apparent in Art History majors. Put that love to use in a role as an art historian. Most art history careers require a postsecondary degree in Art History or Visual Studies. The day-to-day responsibilities for this role range from helping an art curator create exhibitions, advising about the buying/selling of artwork, researching the history of artwork and artifacts, and recording their findings to share with others.
Gallery Manager
If you love going to museums or art galleries and analyzing exhibits becoming a gallery manager is right up your alley. A gallery manager is in charge of art exhibitions for private or public art galleries. They have a unique blend of skill sets that typically include art history, arts management, and knowledge of marketing concepts.