Master's degrees

[ThatRaceCardGuy]

I'm working on my MBA with a focus on project management. It's more for me than anything else. I've learned more in my first six classes than I did in my undergraduate program.

[BucEyedPea]

Originally Posted by chiefzilla1501

Just because you're a copywriter doesn't mean you have to go the rest of your life in freelance. There are lots of jobs that would value creativity, ability to create presentations. And here's a little word to the wise... content marketing is the next big thing. The tipping point is near, and it's going to explode. It's possible maybe your best path is instead to pick a technical trade, like digital marketing, study the balls out of it, perhaps take some online certification courses, and make yourself an expert in that field. While I strongly support getting an MBA, digital marketing is one of those emerging fields where experience and knowledge of the craft is a shitload more important than the critical thinking skills you learn in grad school.

He said he's not really a copywriter to me but did sport's journalism.

My daughter is interning at Film Marketing company owned by the director of the film school up at FSU using a form of digital marketing. She's a writing major with her second minor being Communications. She's learning a lot.

[chiefzilla1501]

Originally Posted by BucEyedPea

He said he's not really a copywriter to me but did sport's journalism.

My daughter is interning at Film Marketing company owned by the director of the film school up at FSU using a form of digital marketing. She's a writing major with her second minor being Communications. She's learning a lot.

That's the thing. Writing is in huge demand right now. It sounds like he's restricting himself to pure writing freelance. I would agree with you, that digital marketing is basically a massive publishing industry. But the power is in not just being able to write, but also understanding content strategy and knowing digital marketing inside out. Unless I'm mistaken, it doesn't sound like the OP has expanded his horizons nearly as much as he could. Even though I loved my MBA and think it's really valuable, the OP could probably read up on a ton of books, take cheaper online webinars, and gain on-the-job experience and gain a niche that will always be in demand even without a grad degree.

[Discuss Thrower]

Originally Posted by chiefzilla1501

That's the thing. Writing is in huge demand right now. It sounds like he's restricting himself to pure writing freelance. I would agree with you, that digital marketing is basically a massive publishing industry. But the power is in not just being able to write, but also understanding content strategy and knowing digital marketing inside out. Unless I'm mistaken, it doesn't sound like the OP has expanded his horizons nearly as much as he could. Even though I loved my MBA and think it's really valuable, the OP could probably read up on a ton of books, take cheaper online webinars, and gain on-the-job experience and gain a niche that will always be in demand even without a grad degree.

Technical writing is in demand, as is SEO.

I have no background in either of those things.

Copywriting is something I'd be good at, but since I have no experience in it, it's not going to happen.

And the more I think about it, doing an unpaid internship is a loser move too, because it's highly unlikely I'd get hired at whatever firm I intern with, which means getting hired elsewhere is a nigh-impossible proposition.

Pretty much I have to accept the fact that being a fry-cook or barista is as good as it's going to get with my current degree.

[chiefzilla1501]

Originally Posted by Discuss Thrower

Technical writing is in demand, as is SEO.

I have no background in either of those things.

Copywriting is something I'd be good at, but since I have no experience in it, it's not going to happen.

And the more I think about it, doing an unpaid internship is a loser move too, because it's highly unlikely I'd get hired at whatever firm I intern with, which means getting hired elsewhere is a nigh-impossible proposition.

Pretty much I have to accept the fact that being a fry-cook or barista is as good as it's going to get with my current degree.

Sounds like you're pretty dejected. First of all, have a little confidence. The job market sucks, it has nothing to do with you.

If you want to career switch, you have to realize you have to take a small step back if you want to take a step forward. Like I said, there are jobs out the wazoo for digital marketing. You don't need an MBA to get a job there and there's lots of stuff available entry level. There is no excuse for you not to know how to do it. If you don't know it, learn it! There are a million books on the subject and if you were thinking of paying to get an MBA, then you should have no issue paying to get a certification. I took online webinars from Market Motive. They're pretty solid and it's something you can stamp on your resume. You already have a leg up on the masses of people in this field with no writing experience. There is a huge demand for this work. White papers, web content, etc... many firms are investing 20% of their marketing budget on content. There are jobs out there.

Long story short... as long as you think you can't do better, you won't. No grad degree or application or interview is going to work for you. If you want to change fields, commit to the craft. Learn it. Network with people in the field. And if you have to, settle for an entry level job that gets your foot in the door.

[BucEyedPea]

Originally Posted by Discuss Thrower

Technical writing is in demand, as is SEO.

I have no background in either of those things.

Copywriting is something I'd be good at, but since I have no experience in it, it's not going to happen.

And the more I think about it, doing an unpaid internship is a loser move too, because it's highly unlikely I'd get hired at whatever firm I intern with, which means getting hired elsewhere is a nigh-impossible proposition.

Pretty much I have to accept the fact that being a fry-cook or barista is as good as it's going to get with my current degree.

I can understand you're down right now, but that's not the way to look at it. You get the experience by making it happen. No contacts? Make them. If you can resign yourself to being a fry-cook or barista, then you can take in some free, cheap work to build a portfolio or book. It doesn't have to take long. That's what you're going to need to break in. You can even make up some pieces.

I was told in art school, if we couldn't find a job then create a job for ourselves. It's what I wound up having to do. I was dejected at times too.

There are some copywriting courses on-line and there's a copywriter who talks about how to become one. (I'll try to locate it after this post.) However, it takes initiative. You'll have to get out there and promote, promote, promote. Afterall, that's the kind of activity you'd be writing for so it's a good learning experience. Copywriting is just words that sell.

You'll have days you will be discouraged but just keep doing it.

[Misplaced_Chiefs_Fan]

Originally Posted by Discuss Thrower

Technical writing is in demand, as is SEO.

I have no background in either of those things.

Copywriting is something I'd be good at, but since I have no experience in it, it's not going to happen.

And the more I think about it, doing an unpaid internship is a loser move too, because it's highly unlikely I'd get hired at whatever firm I intern with, which means getting hired elsewhere is a nigh-impossible proposition.

Pretty much I have to accept the fact that being a fry-cook or barista is as good as it's going to get with my current degree.

Dude, I had NO experience as a Tech Writer.

None.

All I had was 15.5 years in the Army, a degree in History, and a willingness to be a tech writer. Believe me, companies are LOOKING for tech writers.

Why?

Cause no one wants to do it.

I've been doing it for 15 years now this October for a defense contractor. Can't complain about the money, good medical, good vacation, and I generally don't stay on a contract more than a couple of years and move to a new one before I get burnt out.

You *can* do it.

Remember, if you never ask, the answer is always no.

[Discuss Thrower]

Originally Posted by Misplaced_Chiefs_Fan

Dude, I had NO experience as a Tech Writer.

None.

All I had was 15.5 years in the Army, a degree in History, and a willingness to be a tech writer. Believe me, companies are LOOKING for tech writers.

Why?

Cause no one wants to do it.

I've been doing it for 15 years now this October for a defense contractor. Can't complain about the money, good medical, good vacation, and I generally don't stay on a contract more than a couple of years and move to a new one before I get burnt out.

You *can* do it.

Remember, if you never ask, the answer is always no.

And I've been lead to believe it's becoming a field requiring a master's.

[BucEyedPea]

Originally Posted by chiefzilla1501

That's the thing. Writing is in huge demand right now.

Yeah, I had wondered what jobs my own daughter could take if she couldn't break into games or entertainment in writing. Turns out advertising, PR, marketing were still showing growth. These were listed at the school as jobs for her major, among many others. A top copywriter can make excellent money.

[DaKCMan AP]

BS in Electrical Engineering
MS in Electrical Engineering
MBA

All from UF.

[NewChief]

I actually found myself in similar straits post graduate school where I had a masters, needed to support my wife while she was in graduate school and could not do so on an educator's salary.

I applied as a copywriter despite no experience. The thing that landed me the job is that I was applying in an industry about which I was knowledgeable and passionate (outdoor industry). I know it's a long shot but you might focus your copywriting job search on the sports industry since you have a sports journalism major.

[BucEyedPea]

Originally Posted by NewChief

know it's a long shot but you might focus your copywriting job search on the sports industry since you have a sports journalism major.

I think that's a great idea. A good chunk of my book was sports--athletic footwear mainly. That's 'cause there were lots of shoe companies in New England.

[Marco Polo]

I have an MBA. I learned a lot while I was there. It's not all applicable for me in my current line of work but will pay dividends with the next promotion.

[BucEyedPea]

How to become an advertising copywriter

There's lots out there but this is by someone who did it.
http://www.kuraoka.com/

In particular this page:

http://www.kuraoka.com/how-to-become...opywriter.html

Certain majors seem to open doors in the creative department. These include advertising, marketing, communications, English, journalism, psychology, liberal arts, and media studies...

But, a master’s is not necessary for copywriting, and the two years it would require would be better spent getting your career started.

You have the journalism already. Tells you how to build your "book" and what traps to avoid.

[BucEyedPea]

Discuss Thrower--
I heard Starbucks was going to pay for college for their workers. You mentioned barista. I don't think they work full-time and it could be another option while you build your book and add some extra classes in advertising or public relations. Just a thought.