Key takeaways
- Many businesses need people who can communicate clearly through different types of writing.
- Good college majors for people who want to be writers include Journalism, Communications, Creative Writing, Technical Writing, English, Finance, and Public Relations.
- To decide the best major for you, consider what your interests and career goals are, seek advice from your advisor, and participate in internships to get the experience you need to make the right choice for you.
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Choosing a college major is a big decision, especially if you love to write. Businesses everywhere need people who can communicate clearly. Whether it’s writing a news story, a video game script, or a manual for a new app, your skills are in high demand. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for writers and authors is expected to grow 4% through 2034.
If you’ve decided to become a writer after graduation, you might be wondering which degree path is best. Here are some of the top college majors for aspiring writers to consider.
1. Journalism
This is the classic college major choice if you want to write news stories or report on sports.
What you’ll learn: How to interview people, find the facts, and write quickly on a deadline.
Topics may also include media laws and ethics, using data to tell compelling stories, and writing for news websites.
2. Communication
Communication is a very flexible college major. It doesn’t lock you into just one type of job, which is helpful when applying for college.
What you’ll learn: How to share ideas with different groups of people using social media, websites, and videos.
You will study how marketing works and how to manage a brand. This prepares you for jobs like social media manager or content writer for a variety of businesses.
3. Creative Writing
If your dream is to write a novel, a book of poems, or a movie script, a creative writing major may be the best major for you.
What you’ll learn: How to build interesting characters, write great dialogue, and give helpful feedback to other writers.
You will spend your time in workshops. This is where you write your own stories and read them out loud to get advice from your instructor and classmates.
4. Technical Writing
This is a great major for writers who like gadgets, technology, and software. It is a very sought-after skill for big tech companies.
What you’ll learn: How to take a confusing topic and make it easier for people to understand.
You’ll learn how to write instruction manuals and how-to guides for apps. Being a technical writer is a collaborative job that requires you to work closely with engineers.
5. English
An English major provides a solid foundation for any kind of writing. It gives you a comprehensive understanding of how language works.
What you’ll learn: How to think critically and analyze deep meanings in books and essays.
You will read famous books from all over the world and write many papers that help you perfect your grammar and style.
6. Finance
You might wonder why a money major is on a writing list. The reason is simple: Writers need a topic, and finance is one of the most lucrative topics you could learn to write about.
What you’ll learn: How the economy works and how people invest their money.
You’ll learn the language of business. This helps you write articles for big banks or companies that explain money to their customers.
7. Public relations
Public relations (PR) is a great major if you want to be the voice for a person or a company. PR professionals spend much of their time writing to help shape how the public sees their clients.
What you’ll learn: You may learn how to write press releases, speeches, and official statements.
You could also study how to handle a crisis or a big news event. This helps you write quickly and stay calm under pressure to protect a brand’s reputation.
Other majors to consider
If the first seven majors don’t seem like a good fit for your future writing career, here are a few more paths:
- Marketing: This is perfect if you want to write ads or social media posts that convince people to buy things.
- Rhetoric: This major focuses on the art of persuasion. It’s a great path if you want to be a speechwriter.
- History: To be a great writer, you need to understand people. History teaches you how to research facts and tell a true story about the past.
Tips for making your choice
- Consider your interests: Do you love finance, but don’t want to speak with customers? Being a writer for a finance company could give you the best of both worlds.
- Talk to an advisor: Ask a faculty member or academic advisor which major fits your career goals.
- Look for internships: Try to find a program that lets you work at local companies while you are still in school.
- Keep writing: No matter what you study, practice your writing by keeping a blog or writing for your school paper. Practice is one of the best ways to reach academic excellence.
Your future as a writer
There is no single “right” major for someone who loves to write. Whether you choose to study English, finance, or technical writing, your ability to tell a story may be your greatest tool in the job market. While grades are important, remember that building a strong portfolio of work is what often helps you stand out to employers.
Ready to see which campus could be the best match for your writing goals? Use our College Match tool to compare schools and find the perfect program for your future today!
