What kind of jobs involve a lot of writing?
June 2, 2013 6:23 PM   Subscribe

I like putting words together, whether they're short stories or research and reports. What kind of job would allow me to do more of that?

I've been writing fiction (fanfiction) on and off since high school. Then in undergrad, it was lab reports, thesis, research and experimental protocols (science). After working as a lab tech for a year and a half post-graduation, I got a job as a legal admin assistant at a small intellectual property law firm, and I'm still working there. My job is mostly administrative, writing letters to clients/government, and doing the billing.

There's not much room to go up in law unless I go back to school (to get a paralegal certificate if not a J.D.; paralegal certificates are required to get a job as a paralegal around here). I like my job. That said, the biggest reason why I like my job is that I have an extremely chill firm with incredibly relaxed lawyers and there isn't even pressure about billing hours for the employees. In terms of the work itself, I certainly don't hate it, but I'm not overly in love with it either. I know, one doesn't have to be in love with their job, but I'm not entirely convinced I want to go back to school to get a certificate if I don't get to really like my job afterwards, especially considering the likelihood of working with more difficult lawyers from a bigger, more high-pressure firm. As it is, the LAA position doesn't pay enough.

What I do like to do is writing. I'm not looking to become a fiction writer (fiction is a hobby I think best left as a hobby, particularly as I have a lot of difficulty with producing that kind of creativity on demand), but I like crafting words and making them come together, whether that was fiction or my thesis. I don't have much experience doing it in a professional capacity though; I've never edited school newspapers or anything. Currently I'm just starting a volunteering gig with a non-profit overhauling some of their FAQs on their website, but other than that, all the writing I've done are from schoolwork and my hobby.

So, my question: what kind of jobs are out there that would make use of writing (and possibly associated research) as a primary function? What kind of experience (volunteer or working) would I need to get there? I realize this is a very broad question and you certainly don't need to write me an essay in response; I'd just like to have something to Google and research.

Or, alternatively: further thoughts on the advantages/disadvantages of being a paralegal? (Google seems to be more biased towards the former than latter, so if you have extra thoughts on disadvantages it'd be great.)

I'm in Canada, if that matters. Thanks in advance, everyone!
posted by Zelos to Work & Money (15 answers total) 24 users marked this as a favorite
 
Technical writers will keep you writing all the time. You also get to interact with people, figure out the best ways to show complicated information in an easy-to-digest manner, and be a part of the production process.
posted by xingcat at 6:32 PM on June 2, 2013 [4 favorites]


I'd agree about technical writing; another area is marketing, including research, social media and web content, etc. It isn't necessarily agency work; I do a ton of writing working for a company that does promotional products, t-shirts, uniform programs, etc. Facebook and twitter updates, employment notices, product descriptions for web sites, etc.

Another thing if you're more technical, less marketing - any sort of project management role involves a lot of writing - e-mails, reports, etc. Polished writing ability to communicate what's going on to external clients, vendors, and senior management is a great plus.

Generally speaking, more people probably hate to write or aren't good at it than the other way round; if you like to write you can often get the writing assignments within a given company.
posted by randomkeystrike at 6:36 PM on June 2, 2013 [1 favorite]


Nonprofit development! I write reports and proposals all day long. Like you, I enjoy "constructing" reports. Now that I'm at a smaller nonprofit, I also get to write promotional materials like brochures.

As a bonus, there are a ton of legal nonprofts, so it might not be hard to get a foot in the door.
posted by showbiz_liz at 6:36 PM on June 2, 2013


Lots of options in various industries: copywriting (advertising, communications/marketing, public relations, etc.), grant writing (nonprofits, academic institutions, etc.), technical writing. I started off my career as a junior copywriter for the marketing dept. of an insurance company -- I didn't have any actual copywriting experience, but had worked on various publications in college and grad school; that was enough to get me an interview, after which they gave me a copywriting test.

With a cover letter and resume that foregrounds your different types of writing experience, I would think you could similarly get a foot in the door for entry-level writing jobs.
posted by scody at 6:57 PM on June 2, 2013


There's also:
editors and copy writers
screenwriters
columnists

It may be a good idea to research the companies and organizations you would like to work for, and then find out how you can volunteer with them.
posted by bleumare at 7:01 PM on June 2, 2013


Marketing, marketing communication, content management. People always need writers for marketing materials, websites, etc.
posted by radioamy at 7:42 PM on June 2, 2013


Many types of consultants spend a lot of time writing, as do people working on bid management.
posted by smoke at 8:06 PM on June 2, 2013


Nthing marketing. The manager of my company's marketing department spends tons of time writing. She produces web content regularly, writes for the company blog and newsletter, writes articles for industry magazines and crafts lengthy internal communications (emails explaining current promotions, results, etc.) She also puts together trainings and presentations.

As CRM administrator I spend a fair amount of time writing technical materials, internal communications and training materials. And we have a person in our department who writes and designs product brochures and other collateral.
posted by Serene Empress Dork at 3:21 AM on June 3, 2013


You could try ghostwriting! Someone gives you an outline and you write a book based on it. It can be kind of dull stuff to write about, in general it's interesting.
posted by chaiminda at 3:26 AM on June 3, 2013


I am a technical writer and I find my work very satisfying. I enjoy taking complex information and making it easy to understand. Based on your description of yourself I think it might be something you would like as well. It also pays pretty well, so that's a nice bonus.

It helps if you have some sort of technical background, but that's not strictly necessary. I work in software development but I'm not a developer nor do I have a degree in a related field. I got this job by working my way up from an entry-level job where I was able to display my skill at writing.
posted by RubyScarlet at 4:37 AM on June 3, 2013 [1 favorite]


Travel writing? Here's an online class at Stanford that's full, but you could join the wait list. https://continuingstudies.stanford.edu/courses/course.php?cid=20124_CNF+08+W
posted by bananafish at 8:02 AM on June 3, 2013


Nthing non-profit development. I'm a glorified grant writer, and this is what I do. Lots of research, different projects all the time, tons of writing - letters, proposal narratives, reports. This year I've written grants for solar panel projects, veterans assistance, lab equipment, scholarships, buildings, research - all sorts of stuff (I work in higher ed). Lot of looking at data and making cases for things. It's a good job for a curious humanities-major type person who doesn't want to wear a tie.

There are lots of downsides. Working in the non-profit world can be rewarding and fun but is also full of disorganization, low pay, drama. It tends to draw a lot of opinionated, bleeding heart liberal types, which can be great but can also be a headache. Money is always a huge focus. Everything is money in the NPO world, and obviously especially if you're working in development.

Grant writing can also be kind of thankless. Lots of folks thinking you can solve all the agencies issues just by getting some magical huge grant. Burn out is high. Average tenure of a development person at an organization right now is 16 months (!).

That said, I know a lot of grant writers who work as consultants. It's good work if you can get it. Lots of diversity in your work, work for yourself, etc. Gotta do the hustle thing though.

One thing I will say - if you like to write fiction and stuff, it can be really hard to keep that up as a hobby and write as a day job. At least that's what I've found. I love to write, but writing all day makes it really tough to go home and write.

I'm obviously a bit burnt out myself, and a little cynical about the whole thing. But seriously, if you find an organization you like, grant writing can be great work. The demand is also pretty high. Once you get some experience and have raised some money, finding a job isn't too tough.
posted by Lutoslawski at 11:24 AM on June 3, 2013


Don't know if I am stating the obvious to you, but I am an attorney, and I do a ton of writing. I write legal decisions and opinions for my federal agency. That involves drafting the actual product, along with various letters needed along the way, and the occasional internal memo. That said, I wouldn't recommend going to law school if you know you want to be someone who writes a lot. Many attorneys don't write much at all. That's in addition to the general bad rap law school gets these days as being a debt trap.
posted by massysett at 5:04 PM on June 3, 2013


Response by poster: Thank you all for the very helpful answers! Reading through it seems like technical writing and NPO development might fall closer to my strengths and interests, but they were all valuable food-for-thought.

Lutoslawski, I really only do a lot of writing during periods where I have a lot of free time. I wrote a ton last year during a six-month period of unemployment, but during any period where I am legitimately busy (school, FT job) my creativity drops like a stone. Ah, well, that's why it's a hobby.

I'll try to PM a couple of you for further information to avoid cluttering up the thread. Thank you again, everyone.
posted by Zelos at 7:59 PM on June 3, 2013


public relations is a lot of writing of press releases. a lot of companies are looking for website content creators.
posted by Jewel98 at 9:31 PM on June 3, 2013


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