What can you do with a Creative Writing degree from University of California, Riverside?

First, some facts. Of the Creative Writing graduates from University of California, Riverside 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? Bad. Overall, with an average relevance score of 45%, Creative Writing graduates from University of California, Riverside have a substantially lower likelihood (-22%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

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

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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:

• What jobs can you get with a Creative Writing degree from University of California, Riverside?
• What do Creative Writing graduates from University of California, Riverside do 1, 5 or 10 years out?
• How hard is a Creative Writing degree from University of California, Riverside? How long does it take?
• How much money can you make with a Creative Writing degree from University of California, Riverside?
• What are the best colleges for Creative Writing?

View a random Creative Writing graduate from University of California, Riverside and our analysis:

Relevance score: 65% We think this person has gone into a career only somewhat relevant to their degree. DEGREE INFO Graduated in 2012 from University of California, Riverside with a Bachelor of Arts - BA in Creative Writing. Also pursued further education since (see below). JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION Parttime Tutor The Tutoring Center Franchise Corp Aug 2014 - May 2015 The part-time tutor role involves teaching and mentoring, which may utilize some writing and communication skills from the Creative Writing degree, but it is not directly focused on creative writing itself. Substitute Teacher MURRIETA VALLEY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT Aug 2014 - Jun 2022 The substitute teacher position does not specifically require skills or knowledge in creative writing, focusing more on general teaching capabilities rather than writing expertise. Multi-Subject Tutor Success Tutoring May 2022 - Present As a multi-subject tutor, there may be elements of writing instruction involved, but the focus is broader than just creative writing, limiting the relevance to the degree. Faculty Writing Tutor Mt. San Jacinto College Aug 2014 - Jun 2020 The faculty writing tutor role directly applies the skills and knowledge from the Creative Writing degree, emphasizing writing instruction and support on a daily basis. Associate Faculty - English Mt. San Jacinto College Aug 2014 - Present The associate faculty position in English requires expertise in writing and literature, directly aligning with the core qualifications of a Creative Writing degree. FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATING Master of Fine Arts - MFA California State University, Long Beach 2012 - 2014 ABOUT I am a writer, instructor, tutor, and editor from Southern California. I write mostly fiction, including short stories and flash fiction. I am also currently working on my first novel, an epic fantasy story. I enjoy writing about families, relationships, language barriers, and strange occurrences. Some of my stories are grounded in real-life issues; some introduce elements of fantasy, magic realism, and surrealism; and some blend these genres. I have been teaching college English and Writing courses for over six years now. I enjoy sharing my knowledge with students who are eager to learn and improve their own work. Above all else, I value equity and student success in teaching; these are the two driving forces that shape my approach to teaching, my course curriculum, and my class assignments.

What jobs can you get with a Creative Writing degree from University of California, Riverside?

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

• Substitute Teacher
• Practicum Student
• Assistant Language Teacher
• Concept Artist
• Sorting Center Associate
• Director Of Business Development
• Delivery Driver
• Medical History Writer
• English as a Foreign Language Teacher
• Supervisor

So, if you look at all these job titles held by graduates from the University of California, Riverside's Creative Writing program, you’ll notice a wide range of roles. While there are definitely some jobs that utilize creative writing skills, like editor positions, concept artists, and writing tutors, many graduates found themselves in roles that aren't directly related to creative writing at all. You’ve got people working as teachers or in various administrative jobs, which, while important, don’t really call on the storytelling and writing abilities honed in a Creative Writing program. This highlights a pretty common reality—lots of grads pivot into roles that value their communication skills more broadly rather than their specific writing expertise.

It’s clear that while some of these positions do tap into the creativity and narrative skills that come from studying writing, a significant number of them lead to jobs where those writing skills aren't the main focus. It can be a bit of a mixed bag! Sometimes, it’s about how versatile your degree is and how you apply what you've learned in different fields, even if they aren’t directly about writing stories or crafting poetry. So, if you’re thinking about a Creative Writing degree, go in knowing that it can lead to some cool opportunities, but be ready to explore how those skills can fit into various careers beyond just writing!

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 University of California, Riverside):

What kind of career trajectories do Creative Writing graduates from University of California, Riverside have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

When you look at the career paths for graduates from the Creative Writing program at UC Riverside, it’s pretty mixed. Many of these folks kick off their careers doing all sorts of jobs that aren't directly related to creative writing—think teaching English abroad, tutoring, or even working as delivery drivers. In fact, a bunch of them are in education, doing everything from substitute teaching to working as English instructors. It seems like those first jobs often aren't exactly glamorous; they might be just stepping stones or even part-time gigs while they try to figure out what they really want to do with their writing skills.

Fast forward five to ten years, and while some have managed to carve out more relevant roles—like editors, writers, and concept artists—others have moved into completely different fields, often in education or community service. Some have pursued freelance opportunities, but there's also a noticeable trend of taking up roles in nonprofit or community organizations. So, while a few are thriving in creative jobs, many seem to have settled for practical positions that can support their lives but may not be aligned with their creative ambitions. Overall, if you’re eyeing a degree in Creative Writing, be prepared for a winding road ahead that may not always lead to your dream job right off the bat!

How hard is a Creative Writing degree from University of California, Riverside?

Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Creative Writing can be a mixed bag in terms of difficulty, and it really depends on your passion for writing and your commitment to the craft. At a place like University of California, Riverside, you’ll be surrounded by a supportive community and great faculty, which can make things easier. But don’t let that fool you—while it’s not the hardest degree out there, you’ll definitely face challenges like constant writing workshops, peer critiques, and meeting deadlines for your own projects. If you love writing and are willing to put in the effort, you might find it to be more rewarding than tough. So, if you're on the fence, just know it’ll be a journey worth taking if you’re into storytelling!

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 University of California, Riverside tend to make good money?

Looking at the job trajectories of these Creative Writing graduates from UC Riverside, it seems like they might not be rolling in the dough, but they're definitely paying their bills and getting by. Many of them have taken on roles in education and various creative positions, which often don't pay all that much—think teaching gigs, tutoring, and freelance work. A few have ventured into more stable or specialized roles, like working with kids or in business development, but none appear to have landed high-paying gigs just yet. Overall, it seems like they’re building experience and probably making decent money for entry-level jobs, but it might not be enough to buy a mansion anytime soon. They’re on their way, though!

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 University of California, Riverside). 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