I have a BA in English - creative writing, what should I do now? (For a career I mean)

Would you like fries with that?
And learn how to say that in Mandarin and you’ll have three times as many opportunities.
Have a look at this video on the topic of grad school in English before you make the leap. Anyone who has been there will tell you it’s spot-on.
http://www.xtranormal.com/watch/7451115/

What did you envision yourself doing?

There is a great quote attributed to Einstein, “Most people miss opportunities because it shows up in overalls and looks like work.” That is probably true of writing more than anything. There’s a great podcast interview with Sara Gruen, who wrote Water For Elephants. In it she talks about being in the same place as you are, and becoming a technical writer, writing computer software manuals. And, how she enjoyed it.

Here is an article on Ten Things You Can Do with an English Degree.

At the Bachelors level, it doesn’t matter very much what your degree is. I had a degree in Russian and went into political fundraising. The Bachelors gives you important skills, including writing skills, which are needed almost anywhere—from business to journalism; publishing to paralegal. Perhaps you can write a bit better than others; perhaps not. It’s not going to make much difference.

So whatever you want to do—go for it. Your problem will be selling yourself, no matter what you want to do. You won’t have a disadvantage in most places. It’s not like you were pre-med or into engineering, although I bet if you wanted it enough, you could get into those fields, too.

Team up with a illustrator and make comics or short story graphic novels!

It would have been more effective to have considered this issue before beginning collge, don’t you think?

I completely enjoyed my time in college. I studied with passionate professors who helped me open my mind and explore my creativity and met talented fellow students who I talk to and share ideas with to this day. Learning the craft of writing was neither a waste of time nor a stupid decision. I am looking for people out there who like me, love what they did, but don’t feel that going back to school, spending more money and time, to be in the same position when it’s finished is the right path. And as most people will agree, a degree is a degree. Regardless of major, a quality higher education (like the one I believe I received) teaches one to think critically, to argue effectively, and to write and communicate clearly. I obviously cannot change my past, nor do I want to. I am merely asking this question in search of some thoughtful, real-world options for an individual in my situation. I believe there are many of us out there.

My sister is in your very shoes. She’s going back to school now to get a Master’s and also specific teaching credentials so she can give up babysitting and working in used clothes stores.

@RunForTheHillsWoman
I’m with you, mate.
I have a BA and an MPhil in linguistics and never had any clear idea of what to do with those degrees once I had them. I just took those courses because the subject interested me, which I still think is an excellent reason.
So I’m much in the same situation as you. Including not yet having figured out what to do for a living.

For what it’s worth, it helps the imagination to browse through vacancies from employment agencies, or take online tests to tell what sort of job would suit you.

I continue to be astounded at the number of people who act like they have a choice of career in this economy. With a double digit unemployment rate, jobs are not that easy to come by.

A BA degree pretty much limits you to entry level jobs. Creative writing would imply some type of publishing company, maybe greeting cards, or writing employment manuals or job descriptions for a large company. Have you thought about going into advertising?

@Fyrius

Yes, that is an excellent reason. Just be prepared, when you seek education for enlightenment as opposed to career advancement, to have a bit of a challenge convincing those who have MBAs that you’re not living in an ivory tower. : )

I forgot to add, my sister is a “writer” and has had “writing” jobs for several years now. They’re called internships for various newspapers and rarely pay enough to make a week’s worth of groceries.

You could become a english or language arts teacher. Publish some novels , become a
proffesor. There are so many amazing possibilities.

teach engrish to immigrants.

I hope my response isn’t late. I will be earning my BA in Creative Writing this December. I think being a writer has it’s advantages. There are many jobs out there that require grammar and writing and if it is your major, you have the leg up on someone who doesn’t have your background. I myself have found some writing jobs here and there. I didn’t go into writing (I don’t think you did either) for the money, but for the love of the written word. I tell people that if I am writing for a living, then it won’t matter how much I’m being paid because I’m not doing a job, but giving of my passions. You will do great because you will be doing what you love. Try freelance writing, but beware of scams. Try the newspapers; although they tend to favor journalists. Look into SEO content writing…this new job is in high demand and pays well. Best of luck to you!

Anything in the business world. They need writers there.