Writing
» open the printable major» search for more Areas of StudyUndergraduate Major
Description
This major provides students with the opportunity to pursue practical training in creative writing and to develop an understanding of the diverse range of media available to the contemporary writer (print, theatre, film, online and television). Creativity, critical thinking and written communication skills are developed through this course of study and sought by various creative industries such as publishing, advertising and the media.
View our Bachelor of Arts in the Program Handbook and the online prospectus What Can I Study?.
View our Bachelor of Aboriginal Professional Practice in the Program Handbook and the online prospectus What Can I Study?.
Further Study Options
Some occupations require a higher level of completed study than an undergraduate degree, and for this reason it is worthwhile considering the range of Honours, Research Higher Degrees (RHD), Postgraduate Coursework programs and additional study options available. These options may also be useful for specialising in a particular area, or to stimulate career change. Some of the future options include:
Honours:
Postgraduate Study:
Research
Coursework
After completing a degree there are a broad range of postgraduate options available in a variety of fields which can allow you to specialise in a particular area of interest or build upon your existing knowledge base. To explore such options please visit the Postgraduate Handbook at http://www.newcastle.edu.au/campaigns/postgrad/
Sample Jobs
The following list provides some example jobs for the Writing major. Some of these jobs will depend upon the amount and level of study undertaken, level of experience, and the combination of other majors and electives studied, for example some may require further study.
- Administrator
- Advertiser
- Agent
- Arts Manager
- Broadcast Journalist
- Commissioning Editor
- Copywriter
- Critic
- Cultural Development Officer
- Diplomat / Foreign Affairs and Trade Officer
- Editor
- Editorial Assistant
- Festival/Events Co-ordinator
- Foreign Correspondent
- Graduate Programs - Public and Private Sectors
- Greeting Card Writer
- Journalist
- Lawyer
- Librarian
- Media Analyst
- Museum Publications Officer/Editor
- Playwright
- Poet
- Policy Officer/Analyst
- Primary Teacher/Classroom
- Producer
- Program Manager / Project Coordinator
- Project Worker
- Public Relations Officer
- Publications Officer/Editor
- Publishing Distribution Officer
- Research Officer
- Screenwriter
- Secondary Teacher
- Songwriter
- Speechwriter
- Technical Writer
- Travel Writer
- University Lecturer / Academic
- Writer
Getting the Edge
Most employers seek to recruit people who have relevant work experience and an appreciation for their industry. Here is a check list of ideas about gaining experience and industry knowledge.
- Check the type of experience most employers in your field of interest expect. Don’t overlook the part time work you may be currently doing. Most employers understand that the skills are transferrable even if the work is not in their industry.
- Check your academic program for any courses that involve a placement or the opportunity to undertake an industry based project.
- Check your school for Summer Scholarships for research opportunities.
- Check vacancy sites for advertised traineeships, part time employment and vacation work opportunities in your field.
- Source and approach organisations directly about possible work shadowing or information interview opportunities.
- Source and approach organisations directly for paid work opportunities.
- Consider volunteering.
Note: Gaining experience may be important but not at the expense of your studies. Make sure you do not overload your timetable with unrealistic work commitments.
Sample Employers
Writing graduates find employment opportunities in a wide variety of industries in small, medium or large organisations. Below is an example of some of the large organisations that recruit this major.
- ACP Magazines (Australia)
- Allen & Unwin (International)
- Allianz (Australia)
- Arclight Films (International)
- Ausfilm International (International)
- Austereo (Australia)
- Australian Academic Press (Australia)
- Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) (Australia)
- Australian Bureau of Statistics (Australia)
- Australian Council for the Arts (Australia)
- Australian National Library (Australia)
- Australian Taxation Office (Australia)
- Belvoir Street Theatre (Australia)
- Beyond International Films (International)
- Centrelink (Australia)
- Clemenger BBDO (International)
- Dendy Cinemas (Australia)
- Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (Australia)
- Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (Australia)
- Fairfax Media (Australia)
- Federal Department of Broadband, Communication and the Digital Economy (DBCDE) (Australia)
- Fox World Australia (International)
- Granada Productions (International)
- Hallmark International (International)
- Hopscotch Films (International)
- John Wiley & Sons Australia (Australia)
- Local Government - NSW directory (Australia)
- Masterfoods (Australia)
- National Archives of Australia (Australia)
- National Museum of Australia (Australia)
- News Corporation (Australia)
- Ogilvy (Australia)
- Pan Macmillan Australia (Australia)
- Random House (Australia)
- Red Rock Global Media (International)
- Regional Arts Australia (Australia)
- RHI Entertainment Australia (Australia)
- Saatchi & Saatchi (International)
- SBS Television (Australia)
- Scholastic (Australia)
- Splash Entertainment (Australia)
- State Arts Ministries (Australia)
- State Government - NSW directory (Australia)
- State Theatre Company (SA) (Australia)
- The Sydney Morning Herald (Australia)
- TPA - The Publicity (Australia)
- Unilever (International)
Recruitment Timing
Some large organisations have specific graduate recruitment programs designed to employ the pick of graduates each year. You must be in your final year of study or recently completed to apply for these programs. The timing of these recruitment drives varies and may occur at any point in the academic year, in some cases starting as early as the first few weeks of the first semester or trimester.
Find out if employers in your area/s of interest have graduate programs, when they typically recruit and what recruitment methods they use. Check with the Careers Service .
Job Prospects and Salary
For up-to-date information please see Job Outlook Australia. This site provides basic Australian labour market information including job prospects, skills requirements and salaries. You might try some of the classifications below as a guide on this site.
Societies and Associations
Associations and societies often provide relevant and up to date information about a variety of issues relating to specific industry sectors. These can be a good starting point to learn more about occupations through profiles, industry news, links to academic journals and information on research developments. Many also offer student membership, conference and professional development activities, newsletters and the opportunity to participate in projects.
- Advertising Federation of Australia (Australia)
- Asia and Pacific Writers Network (Australia)
- Association for the Study of Australian Literature (Australia)
- Australian Editors Societies (Australia)
- Australian Interactive Media Industry Association (Australia)
- Australian Librarian and Information Association (Australia)
Don’t overlook student societies and associations. As well as student chapters of professional associations, some faculties or schools have discipline based student associations. Check your school or faculty web site; perhaps you might start one if one doesn’t exist.
Some academic disciplines run Seminar Programs that involve regular seminars presented by University of Newcastle academics, visiting academics and postgraduate students. Check your schools website for the timetable.
Job Search Sites
Searching job sites is a good way to gain an understanding of: industries recruiting professionals in this field; types of roles and the requirements or expectations of employers for these roles. There are many online job search sites, here are a few to start with:
Australian and International
- CareerHub: the University of Newcastle Careers Service careers and job search site for enrolled students and graduates.
Australian
- CareerOne: Australia wide job listings, all levels and industries including executive positions
- MyCareer: Australian and international listings
- Seek: comprehensive Australian job listings, also includes New Zealand and UK listings
- The Big Chair: Management and Executive Jobs
International
- Overseas Jobs
- Mind Exchange: links to job listings in Asia, Europe and Latin America
- International Jobs
- Agency Central: UK recruitment agency and job sites directory
- Command Group: a recruitment company with vacancies in Australia, Hong Kong and Singapore
Sample Job Ads and Tips for Applying
Job ads provide useful information about the job and the required skills, experience and qualifications. Information like this is useful in career planning. Below is a small sample of job ads with tips on planning and job applications; explore further to gather more useful information for your planning.
Please note, the job ads listed on this page are not current and were sourced from a variety of websites in 2010.