How important is a college degree if I would like to be a writer?

Question

I would like to be a full time freelance writer. Is a college degree neccessary to be successful?

Answer 1

As a successful, full-time freelance writer, I feel I can help you out with this question. Although a college degree is not necessary to be a full-time writer, it is certainly helpful. You will be competing for jobs against people who may have a masters degree so you will need to be confident, well-spoken and articulate. Having a positive work ethic is essential. The perfect balance is to combine field experience with distance learning. As you gain experience writing, you can take courses in business and English so you can develop the skills to further your career. Distance learning is flexible so you can take as many or as few classes as you can handle, depending on how busy you get as a freelance writer. To get try your hand at writing right away, consider starting a free blog or checking out websites such as iFreelance and Elance. For more information about distance learning opportunities, check out http://www.distance-learning-college-guide.com. You can do it - good luck!

Answer 2

Yes, you can and I am an example of this as is a friend of mine. I have only a Liberal Arts degree from a community college. I spent a few years in journalism at the newspaper and built my portfolio there. In the recent years since I have moved into different writing such as copywriting and business writing. Now, I freelance when and where I can. A friend of mine has been writing for longer than I've been alive and he has no formal education. His background largely involves copywriting (much like myself) and short story writing. He is one of the best writers I know and is completely self-taught. A degree in English, Creative Writing, Technical Writing, or Journalism is certainly useful in becoming a writer but that piece of paper does not make you a writer. Actual writing, however, does. If you are a good writer it will not matter what the piece of paper says. You can do anything and still be considered a writer. I do encourage classes in creative writing and even technical writing to sharpen your skills. I also suggest you read a lot and practice regularly with writing. Look for small publications of interest to consider submitting your work to. Develop a strong portfolio of clips an any published work. This will definitely help build your credibility and skill. It's long hours and hard work but if you can see yourself committing to it, then by all means go for it. If you're just in it just to be noticed (not saying you are) then it may not be the career path for you. The financial payoff is not spectacular unless by some very slim chance you write a bestselling novel. I wish you the best of luck. It's not easy but it's well worth it.

Answer 3

Strictly speaking, no, but the truth is that it's difficult to make a living as a freelance writer. You need to be able to build up a reputation and a portfolio of clips, and you have to have a way to support yourself while you're doing it, which is where a college degree comes in handy. It also helps to have an area that you're particularly knowledgeable in, like science or business, and having a college degree helps with that as well.

Answer 4

Technically speaking no, it's not necessary. Keep in mind that getting a degree only gives you a paper that shows you receive the proper instructions. But you can get the same training on the field which the experience worth more than what you get from school.

I'm not saying that a degree is not important, rather it's not necessary.

Answer 5

Writing seems to be kind of tricky. Many people that I know who want to be writers have used college as a way to develop and polish their writing. Other has just taken entry level jobs and worked on their writing while working themselves up at local papers or magazines. A good internship that doesn't require a degree may be helpful in choosing what you want to do.

Answer 6

You probably need the credential less than would most people, but what would be useful would be the education itself. You would be learning from experts about techniques used by successful writers which you could adapt to your own uses. There are clearly writers who have hit upon a formula for success without a college degree, but many who have degrees feel that what they learned in college was responsible for their success.

Answer 7

I wouldn't exactly say it's necessary, but competitive hiring and prospective employer's expectations will probably mean that you should have one. Unless you have a lot of other things on your side, and you're excellently qualified otherwise, I think it will be twice as difficult to get a job in that field as it already is.

Answer 8

Yes. It gives you a better reputation with employers...plus, if it doesn't work out and you're stuck with no college degree, you're kind of screwed.

Answer 9

Not necessary, but it will be helpful. Study English, to learn images, similes, metaphors, and all the rest of the background information that it takes to be a good writer.