Creative Writing & Lit Major Meets Career
Graduates of Naropa’s BA in Creative Writing & Literature program have published books and been finalists for the Walt Whitman Prize from the Academy of American Poets. They have received awards from the NEA, Prism International, StoryMagazine’s Raymond Carver contest, and the Ernest Hemingway First Novel Contest. Their work has received an American Book Award from the Before Columbus Foundation, James Duval Phelan Award from the San Francisco Foundation, the Colorado Book Award, and theInternational Latino Book Award in historical fiction. Works have been nominated for theBeliever Book Award, featured on NPR’s All Things Considered, and received the Premio Aztlan Prize in Fiction. Some career paths of recent graduates include work with Poets & Writers Inc.,state-wide coordinator for Colorado Writers-in-the-Schools, and assistant professor at the University of Texas and The Evergreen State College.
Discover Career Pathways for Creative Writing & Literature Graduates
Career Options
Dance
Choreographer
Dance Therapy
Bringing dance to under served / minority populations through non-profit initiatives and grand funded opportunities
Performing re: Contemporary, lyrical, ballet, hip-hop, jazz, tap, cultural specific dances
Writing for dance companies / journals
Teaching / working in dance history in institutions, cultural heritage sites, tourism, etc.
Writing
Creative Writing such as: novels, poetry, screenplays, scripts, cards, commercials, jingles, lyrics, commercial scripts,
Marketing / Advertising such as: commercial scripts, jingles, blogs, content writing, feature writing, copyrighting (websites, products, brands, etc.)
Freelance writing Technical writing
Journalism i.e. investigative, photo, sports, editorial, online, etc.
Reporting
Editing & proofreading
Publishing
Visual Art
Traditional / fine visual art areas such as: Illustration, film, performance, installation, video
Commercial art such as: Graphic art, motion design, web design graphic novels, illustration
Advertising / Marketing such as: Branding, logo design, story boards, animation, typography, art direction, layouts, packaging
Museum work such as: curating, restoration, conservation, collections, exhibitions, education, tours, history
Theater
Performance
Acting
Be a part of a stage crew i.e. set design, management, direction, construction, lighting / sound
Work in the media industry i.e. television, radio, video, etc.
Technical direction i.e. camera opps, rigging, carpentry, etc.
Behind the scenes creativity: casting, costume design, special effects, hair/make-up, wardrobe, props, etc.
Music
Composing / Arranging
Music and Program Direction
Performance
Advertising / commercial: voice overs, composition, sound mixing, post- production, copyright
Music composition, editing, licensing
Management/Business
Entrepreneurial / freelance creative
Marketing / Advertising: talent acquisition, product management, art direction, event planning, public relations, branding, media relations, etc.
Publishing and Editing
Producing & Recording
Administration
Retail
Education
Teaching in an institution, private lessons, more formalized instruction, etc.
Research re: contemporary, innovative modalities and initiatives
Potential Employers
Dance
Cultural organizations and arts councils
Theaters and arts venues
Self-employed / freelance Non-profits
Grant-funded initiatives
Therapeutic & Wellness programs
Ecstatic dance
Yoga / embodiment organizations
Festivals
Dance companies, studios, and academies
National Endowment for the Arts
Performance organizations: dance, theater, broadway, touring, off-broadway, television, motion picture, commercials, music videos
Tourism & recreation: cultural heritage sites, visitor centers, resorts, sporting events, amusement parks, cruise ships, etc.
Writing
In-house at an organization you love
Freelance / entrepreneurial ventures
Publishers i.e. magazines, newspapers, technical, academic publications
Digital i.e. social media, websites, content creation, blog building companies
Advertising / Marketing / PR organizations
Broadcast media i.e. television, motion picture, radio companies including television,
Universities
Government agencies
Visual Art
Art Museums
Galleries
Community centers
Self-employed
Studios
Advertising agencies
Public relation agencies
Design firms
Company marketing departments
Publishing companies
Magazines
Newspapers
Books
Department stores
Television and motion picture industry
Internet media companies
Governmental agencies
Music
Self employed through hire or private instruction / performance
Bands, groups, ensembles, orchestras, choirs, theaters, production companies
Record company
Media outlets: television, radio, motion picture, etc.
Music agencies, production companies, recording studios, etc.
Management/Business
Advertising, public relations, marketing, design firms
In-house creative departments
Publishing companies
Production companies
Media industry i.e. Television, radio, motion picture
Digital / tech / social media companies
Retail
Nonprofit agencies
Grant-funded initiatives / projects
Government agencies
Education
Schools: public, private, charter, Waldorf, universities, colleges
Art, design, creative, performance specific schools/ universities
Nonprofit / grant-funded initiatives
Tourism agencies
Government organizations
Community centers
Therapy / wellness organizations
Hospitals
Elderly care
Rehabilitation centers
Theater
Community, regional, commercial theaters
Self-employed / freelance
Nonprofits
Grant-funded initiatives
Touring companies
Marketing / Advertising: commercials, videos, etc.
Tourism & recreation: cultural heritage sites, visitor centers, resorts, sporting events, amusement parks, cruise ships, etc.
Career Path Preparedness
Strategies for Success
Sign up for the Internship class & complete an internship related to the creative arts field. Visit the Office of Career Development to see the site list and for a variety of different organizations to get involved in.
Get involved in school creative I performance groups & resources i.e. SUN, Naropa Circus Club, etc.
Complete a service learning project aligned with your career goals / path. See your COR professors & advisors for details.
Align your classes, curriculum, research projects and thesis / capstone projects with your career goals / path.
Volunteer / familiarize yourself with organizations that align with your career goals & provide the opportunity for hands-on training.
Earn a minor in a specialized field of interest.
Get out and explore—immerse yourself in artistic skills and interests.
Attend workshops, conferences. MeetUps, panels, etc. to build your network.
Obtain skills in business, marketing, technology to increase employment and entrepreneurial options.
Develop a variety of creative skills—become “multi-disciplinary” i.e. dance, singing, acting, art, design, fashion, etc.
Cultivate resilience, patience and determination in order to make your artistic dreams a reality. And most importantly—GET CONNECTED!
A graduate degree, i.e. a Master of Fine Arts could be a great way to further your career in the creative and performing arts field.
Understand and practice communicating the transferable and sought-after skills that differentiate you as an “artist” or “creative.”
Continuing Education
If you are interested pursuing a graduate degree there are several things you will want to keep in mind while in your undergraduate studies:
Academic work, and the way you show up is VERY important. Put in your best effort academically and aim for a high grade point average.
Relationships matter. REALLY matter. Build positive connections while in the Naropa community with faculty, staff, colleagues, etc. These relationships will continue to support you and you can ask those same people to provide recommendation letters for your graduate degree applications!
Get experience! A lot of it. Either through academic, internship, volunteer or work opportunities. This will bolster your application and CV immensely.
Alumnx Spotlight
Getting connected with Naropa Alumnx is a great way to build your professional network and resources. Some ways to get involved are:
- Connect with Naropa’s Office of Development and the Alumnx Relations Officer at 303-546-3594 or nualumni@naropa.edu.
- Join Naropa University’s Facebook page
- Visit the Alumnx & Resources page.
- Reach out to Naropa Alumnx on Linkedln
- Attend Career & Life Development events and Alumnx panels
