The Best Way To Build Your CV As A Creative Writing Student

As a creative writing student in university, you might be worried about your job prospects once you graduate and enter the workforce. I mean, how many times has someone asked you: “hm, but what are you going to do?” when talking about your major? Too many times to count, that’s for sure.

Then in comes the question of how you’re supposed to build your CV to rack up some experience, in order to increase your chances of getting a job in the future. So, here are the best ways to build your CV as a creative writing student!

Submit Your Pieces to Magazines and Local Newspapers

One great way to build your CV, is to submit your pieces to literary magazines. Whether it be creative nonfiction, poetry or short fiction- submit them all! Getting your work published will help establish you as a writer, and will spice up your CV as well. And it’s not just to established literary magazines either, even your local school newspaper or an up and coming online magazine are great ways to get your work out there.

Don’t be put off by a magazine’s size or popularity, just submit whatever you can to wherever and hope for the best. But don’t worry if you get rejected, because these things take time. Just believe in yourself, take in whatever constructive criticism you get, and keep on writing!

Volunteer for Creative Writing Opportunities

This could be anything, from doing volunteer work at a local creative writing festival to signing up to write weekly columns in your school newspaper. Or even to help out a creative writing workshop being held at a local school- any and all volunteer work are great ways to build up your CV.

Volunteer work will not only fill your CV up with more experience, but it’ll also show your passion and initiative when it comes to creative writing and its community. Volunteering shows that you’re passionate about what you do and that you’re willing to take time out of your day to do what you love and provide back to the community as well.

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Apply for Internships at Publishing Houses or Magazines

If you’re looking to get into the publishing industry, applying for internships at publishing houses or magazines are a great way to build your CV as a creative writing student. More often than not, these internships will be unpaid, but don’t be put off by that. You’ll be able to learn invaluable skills and knowledge about the publishing and creative writing industry through these internships, and that’s something money can’t buy.

Create an Online Presence for Your Work

Creating an online presence for your work is another great way to build your CV as a creative writing student. Whether it be a blog or an Instagram page, sharing your work to the public will not only put your work out there for people to see, but you can possibly gain a following for your work, too.

I know that posting your work online might seem unprofessional, but with the internet becoming so prominent in the rise of poets, and authors alike, there’s nothing to lose by creating an online page. This will also show your passion for the art of writing because you’re constantly writing and putting work out just for the sake of it.