What can you do with a Creative Writing degree from Columbia College Chicago?

First, some facts. Of the Creative Writing graduates from Columbia College Chicago we've analyzed , here's how many have used (or NOT used) their degree in their career:


These are estimates based on AI analysis of 10 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Significantly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 54%, Creative Writing graduates from Columbia College Chicago have a much lower likelihood (-13%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 54%
Average relevance score across all fields: 67%

And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.

× Chart

Also, after graduating, only 30% of these graduates have pursued further education other than another Bachelor's degree (such as a Masters degree or other), compared to the average across all profiles of 35%. This suggests a Bachelors degree is enough for most Creative Writing graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.

See the details:

View a random Creative Writing graduate from Columbia College Chicago and our analysis:


Relevance score: 0%

We think this person has NOT gone into a career related to their degree.

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2022 from Columbia College Chicago with a Bachelor of Arts - BA in Creative Writing. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Pastry Cook
Cooper's Hawk Winery and Restaurants
Jul 2022 - Present
The position of Pastry Cook does not require the specific skills or knowledge gained from a Bachelor's degree in Creative Writing, as it primarily focuses on culinary skills rather than writing or literary analysis.

ABOUT

No information provided.

What jobs can you get with a Creative Writing degree from Columbia College Chicago?

The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:


After analyzing the job titles linked to graduates from Columbia College Chicago with a degree in Creative Writing, it's clear that many have ventured into diverse fields. A lot of people found roles that have only a loose connection to creative writing. For instance, positions like executive assistants, behavior consultants, or even accountants mainly focus on administrative tasks and don’t really align with the creative skills honed in their studies. However, there’s also a solid representation of jobs that do utilize those writing and storytelling skills, such as editors, freelance writers, and those involved in digital marketing and social media. These roles not only reflect a direct application of their degree but also highlight how versatile a Creative Writing background can be.

Overall, it seems that while many graduates do take on jobs that may not be directly related to creative writing, there’s a significant number who have carved niches in roles where storytelling and writing skills are essential. Positions like editors and content creators definitely stand out as relevant, as they leverage the fundamental skills learned in their program. So while the creative writing degree isn't always a direct ticket to a writing-focused job, many graduates do find ways to incorporate those skills into their careers, even if it’s in more indirect ways.

Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Creative Writing graduates (this is across all Creative Writing graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Columbia College Chicago):

What kind of career trajectories do Creative Writing graduates from Columbia College Chicago have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

When we take a look at graduates from Columbia College Chicago with a degree in Creative Writing, we see a pretty varied path. Right after graduation, many of them seem to be landing roles that are a mix between creative positions and more traditional jobs. For example, some graduates have started their careers as photographers or in editing roles, while others found themselves in more atypical positions like executive assistants or social media managers. It’s a bit of a toss-up, really; some people stick closely to writing and editing, while others take a bit of a detour into fields like marketing or counseling.

If we zoom out a bit and look at what these folks are doing five or ten years down the line, there’s definitely a trend towards more stable, managerial, and freelance roles. A few graduates moved into senior positions or took on project management roles in creative companies, which suggests that they found their niche in that realm. Yet, there are also graduates who seem to have taken jobs that feel quite distant from their Creative Writing background, like working as a pastry cook or in various non-writing-focused roles. Overall, it appears that while some graduates have successfully parlayed their creative skills into fulfilling careers, others may not have found their way directly into jobs that resonate with their degree. So, like many degrees, it can depend on the individual and how they choose to navigate the job market after college!

How hard is a Creative Writing degree from Columbia College Chicago?

Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Creative Writing, including at Columbia College Chicago, can be a mix of challenging and really rewarding experiences. It’s not exactly a walk in the park—you're going to do a lot of writing, revising, and critiquing, which means exposing your work (and that of others) to judgment. You'll dive deep into various genres, develop your voice, and tackle feedback head-on, which can be tough for some. But if you love writing, it can feel more like an exciting adventure than a grind. Some people find certain aspects easier, while others might struggle, so it really depends on your passion and willingness to put in the effort. Overall, it's a pretty engaging program, just challenging enough to help you grow as a writer!

How long does it take?

Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Creative Writing.

Do Creative Writing graduates from Columbia College Chicago tend to make good money?

Looking at the job histories of these Creative Writing graduates from Columbia College Chicago, it seems like they're on a bit of a mixed bag when it comes to making decent money. Some have built pretty cool careers with roles like Editors, Digital Project Managers, and even a Director of Engagement, which could definitely lead to a decent paycheck, especially as they gain more experience. However, others are in entry-level or part-time positions, like a Pastry Cook or an After School Dance Teacher, which might not bring in the big bucks, especially right out of college. Freelancing is great for flexibility, but it can be a bit hit or miss financially, depending on the amount of work they get. Overall, it looks like a few are starting to climb the ladder and could be doing well, while others might still be working their way up or just scraping by for now.

What buzzwords do Creative Writing graduates use to describe themselves?

Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Creative Writing (this is across all Creative Writing graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Columbia College Chicago). This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for Creative Writing?

Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Creative Writing (ordered by the average relevance score of their Creative Writing graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:

College Score Count
University of Central Florida 58 17
Florida State University 56 15
Columbia College Chicago 54 10
University of Washington 53 11
University of California, Riverside 45 10
Southern New Hampshire University 44 26
Western Washington University 44 10
Full Sail University 21 31