I'm 31 years old and looking for a career change. I've come to love research and I've always loved reading nonfiction and true crime as well as the exposé articles often published by alternative weeklies. What are some careers that would fit these interests, and how do I work my way towards those careers?
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posted by averageamateur
on Mar 11, 2013 -
9 answers
I've always had communications-related jobs, but they never seem to be the right fit. I'm a great writer (although I have a love/hate relationship with writing), but I also helping enjoy helping people and interacting with people, etc., and writing is a pretty solitary job. (Well, PR isn't, but that's one area I want to stay away from, as well as fundraising). Have any other writer-types who are like me found a solution? (Oh, and I don't want to take on grad-school loans right now.)
posted by trillian
on Dec 14, 2012 -
15 answers
When I was in college, I really loved writing papers and now I find that I miss the chance to study small topics in depth. How could I make that into a career?
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posted by youcancallmeal
on Dec 10, 2012 -
23 answers
I'd like a career transition from an Assistant to copy-editor/editor. What steps can I take while holding this job to help me prepare to be competitive for the new type of job?
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posted by jymelyne
on Jun 5, 2012 -
9 answers
I'm a PhD student, and I'd like to do more academic networking over email. How does this work, and what should the emails sound like?
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posted by anonymous
on May 16, 2012 -
14 answers
[Career change filter, humanities edition] How can I best market my skills when I have very little experience?
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posted by Kitty Stardust
on Mar 28, 2012 -
5 answers
Should I get a technical writing certificate? If so, where should I go? What's the difference between the programs?
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posted by KathrynT
on Nov 1, 2011 -
8 answers
How do I deal with my impending success? Is there any way I can feel like less of a fraud, and can anyone who has been through this before give me tips to move the process along?
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posted by anonymous
on Oct 11, 2011 -
21 answers
I'm really good at predicting the end of most movies and books. I easily see foreshadowing, symbolism, and archetypes. How can I parlay this skill into a creative job?
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posted by dchrssyr
on Oct 2, 2011 -
27 answers
I'm a depressed not-incredibly-recent college grad with less than a year's experience under my belt and I'm still clueless. More snowflake-y annoying first world problems inside.
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posted by themaskedwonder
on Jul 12, 2011 -
9 answers
I recently went to a film screening and Q&A. I didn't go to the mic to ask one of the panelists my question. How would I ask it now?
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posted by droplet
on Feb 9, 2011 -
15 answers
I am interested in getting into technical writing. I have a full-time gig presently, but what can I do in my limited spare time that will make me a more attractive candidate for tech writing jobs in a year or two?
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posted by gallusgallus
on Sep 20, 2010 -
6 answers
How can I make a living doing what I love?
My almost-50 birthday is this week. Several years ago I quit my job to start a new career. I still have little idea how to make money from what I want to do. I'd hate to go back to my former career, and I can't imagine who would hire a man nearing 50, who hasn't had a job in years...
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posted by ifnot
on Aug 15, 2010 -
12 answers
Job_Offer_Filter: I'm a struggling freelance writer trying to (someday) break into the pr/communications field. I've just been offered a staff writer position at a small local newspaper. Does accepting the job inch me closer to my desired field? Or just burden me with a ton of unmarketable experience?
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posted by sureshot
on Nov 23, 2009 -
11 answers
Can you recommend a great professional writing certificate program?
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posted by jschu
on Jul 23, 2009 -
2 answers
My dream is to write nonfiction books, but I have more book ideas than I know what to do with. Does anybody have any advice on how to find an agent or even just somebody knowledgeable about the publishing business who could give some good advice about which book ideas would work and which ideas would fall flat? How does one get past the query letter stage, when you have multiple outlines and chapters and book ideas, but you don't have a finished book?
posted by jonp72
on Jul 14, 2009 -
13 answers
I would like to start working as a speech or letter writer for a political/government office. What advice do you have for me on how to best go about this?
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posted by orange swan
on Oct 17, 2008 -
5 answers
Never really worked before. Soon to be single mother. Need career. Told I can write well. What can I do?
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posted by anonymous
on Oct 7, 2008 -
36 answers
20-something INTP, bored to death in his corporate gig, asks: What should I do with my life?
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posted by anonymous
on May 8, 2008 -
28 answers
I’ve always wanted to be a writer. Always wanted… but never actually worked towards it, so I have no writing-specific experience or training. I’d like to transition to a career that somehow involves writing, but I’m not sure how I can get my foot in the door.
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posted by Metroid Baby
on Feb 29, 2008 -
12 answers
Can I work as a writer or medical liaison at a corporation, and pursue freelance journalism, simultaneously? Or would this be a conflict of interest?
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posted by anonymous
on Feb 8, 2008 -
4 answers
How can I parlay the sudden improvement of my freelance writing resume into career advancement?
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posted by hifiparasol
on Jun 22, 2007 -
6 answers
I've been out of work for a number of years, by choice, staying at home to raise my kids. I have a Bachelor's in Education with a minor in English from back in 19mumblemumbleyear, and even if it were up-to-date, my life has taken a different turn, and I don't feel that teaching is for me any more. With this kind of background, if I don't teach, I am pretty much, as one of my English teachers once put it, an "educated un-employable."
What further education do I need to be taken seriously as I re-enter the workforce?
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posted by misha
on May 19, 2007 -
7 answers
Am I crazy to think about trying to find a field or topic to write about purely based on potential popularity? If not, how?
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posted by nanojath
on Feb 24, 2007 -
19 answers
CareerFilter: Should I become a magazine / new media journalist? [UK based] - LONG POST WARNING!
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posted by dcbarker
on Feb 7, 2007 -
10 answers
I'm 23 and working as a sales assistant/helpdesk support/office admin/web designer/receptionist in my hometown. How do I go about getting a paying job as a writer, without formal qualifications?
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posted by saileyn
on Dec 7, 2006 -
10 answers
Career change advice sought! Help me make the switch to editing/publishing.
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posted by Miko
on Apr 14, 2006 -
5 answers
I want to make the transition into professional writing, specifically feature story and/or personal column writing and I'm not sure which steps to take make this dream come true.
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posted by mirileh
on Apr 16, 2005 -
17 answers
Inside, there's a lengthy question about freelance writing and resumes.
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posted by COBRA!
on Jun 22, 2004 -
5 answers
How does one become a freelance writer? I've written for money before, but it's all been for assignments that fell in my lap. How do I begin to seek out places to write for? Do I just put together a portfolio and submit to various publications? Any tips would be appreciated, as I'm basically starting from square one.
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posted by Zosia Blue
on Apr 27, 2004 -
10 answers
