Careers by Major - Professional Writing & Communication

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Careers for graduates

There are many different career options available for Professional Writing graduates. Below is a sample of types of positions that PWC graduates have gone on to.

Note: This is not an exhaustive list as there are many other careers available. Many positions require additional education or experience. Examples of the following careers vary from those that are creative, to the technical, to the more administrative/managerial roles.

  • Communications Specialist*
  • Marketing Manager*
  • Print Journalist*
  • Editor*
  • Technical Writer*
  • Advertising Copywriter*
  • Public Relations Specialist*
  • Webmaster/Content Developer*
  • Publisher*
  • Researcher*
  • Public Affairs Officer
  • Editorial Assistant
  • Public Opinion Researcher
  • Customer Service Coordinator
  • Community Relations Coordinator
  • Fundraiser
  • Librarian
  • Copy Editor
  • News Editor
  • Science Writer
  • Internal/External Publications
  • Editor
  • Public Information Officer
  • Sales Representative
  • Professor
  • Speech Writer
  • Script Writer
  • Foreign Service Worker
  • Secondary School Teacher
  • Sports Editor
  • Publicity Manager
  • Promotion Specialist
  • Screenwriter
  • Productions Assistant
  • Corporate Trainer
  • Reporter
  • Program Coordinator
  • Reviewer (e.g., Book Reviewer)
  • Media Relations Officer
  • Student Affairs Professional
  • Freelance Writer

Note: career profiles for many of the above jobs are available in the Career Centre. Those marked with an asterisk(*) can be viewed using Career Cruising, a Cdn. electronic career guide available in the Centre

Who employs professional writing graduates?

  • Advertising/Marketing Agencies
  • Newspapers/Magazines
  • Publishing companies
  • Government
  • Universities and Colleges
  • Television/Radio stations
  • Banks/Financial institutions
  • Public Relations/Communications Firms
  • Science Related Companies
  • Consumer Organizations
  • Multimedia firms
  • Professional Organizations
  • Not-for-profit organizations
  • Self-Employment

Skills developed by professional writing majors

  • Able to communicate clearly and effectively to a broad range of audiences
  • Able to communicate for a broad range of purposes including e-mail communications, technical copy, business writing, marketing copy, speeches, proposals and presentations
  • Resourceful and skilled at conducting intense primary and secondary research
  • Able to approach projects independently without supervision beyond the initial contact
  • Deadline oriented, time management skills
  • Gather and evaluate information, sources, ideas and research
  • Ability to listen, clarify, question, and respond comprehensively
  • Ability to conduct and clearly explain research results
  • Skills in organizing ideas, information, materials, and people
  • Ability to present persuasive arguments
  • Skills in textual analysis and interpretation
  • Editing skills

Sample job listings for graduating students/recent graduates

Below is a sample of the types of positions that have recently been posted with the Career Centre for graduating students or recent graduates. To access full-time opportunities (for up to two years after graduation), you must first attend an orientation. Drop by or call us at 905-828-5451 for more information.

  • Communications Specialist, Manulife Financial
  • Technical/Science Writer, Baylis Medical Company
  • Writer, Google
  • Publications Assistant, Canadian Shareowner
  • Assistant Production Editor, Canada Law Book Inc.
  • Web Content Coordinator, Chum City Interactive
  • Copy Editor, Standard & Poor's
  • Script Writer, IPSOS-ASI Ltd.
  • Coordinator, External Communications & Marketing, YMCA
  • Transcriber, Legislative Assembly of Ontario
  • Publicity & Promotions Coordinator, Young Peoples Theatre
  • Technical Writer, Stantec Consulting
  • Assistant Medical Editor, Pulsus Group Inc.
  • Communications Coordinator, St. George's Golf & Country Club
  • Assistant Editor, Professional Engineers Ontario
  • Junior Copy Writer, Columbia House Canada
  • Communications Officer, Credit Valley Conservation
  • Editor - Electronic Products, CCH Canadian Limited
  • Public Relations & Communication Manager, Textile Museum of Canada
  • Instructional Designer, Investment Funds Institute of Canada
  • Editor, Ribosome Communications
  • Public Relations Associate, Northcott Communications
  • Patent Writer, Biomine Inc.
  • Researcher/Content Developer, ContactPoint
  • Media/Writing Communications Specialist, Toronto & Region Conservation
  • Digital Media & Marketing Specialist, Elooya International Corp.
  • Business Media Specialist, Multiview Inc.
  • Communications Coordinator, St. Paul’s Anglican Church
  • Editor, Georgian Bay Today
  • Translator/Editor, Babel Media
  • Communications/Community Engagement Officer, Horizons of Friendship

Don't forget about U of T Mississauga alumni!

Check out our Alumni Profiles page, to read profiles of UTM alumni who have studied in this area, find out about their career path and how their experiences have affected their career direction.

How to get experience

Start early by seeking relevant summer, part-time and volunteer opportunities that will help you gain experience and develop the skills that employers want. Below is a sample of the types of temporary positions that have recently been posted with the Career Centre. To access the summer, part-time, temporary and volunteer postings, register with the Career Centre Online.

Internships 

  • Ontario Internship Program, Communications, Ontario Public Service
  • Editorial Intern, Toronto Life Magazine
  • Internships (Editorial/Web/Marketing), Flare Magazine
  • Summer Internship in New York City, Time Canada
  • Fellowship in Advancement, University of Toronto
  • Journalism & Communications Internship, Alternatives
  • Publications Intern, Ontario Museum Association
  • National Mentorship Program, Cdn. Film & Television Production Ass.

Check the UofT Internship Directory Database for additional internship listings. You must register and login to the Career Centre Online to access this database.

Part-Time/Summer Positions

  • Media Analyst, Ministry of the Cabinet Office
  • Audience Relations Assistant, CHUM Television
  • Research Assistant, Canadian Education Association
  • Copy Editor, UTM - The Medium
  • Corporate Communications, Town of Oakville
  • Reporter, The Ottawa Citizen
  • Technical Writer, PREP101
  • Writer, Sieoma Communications
  • Editorial Assistant, Hospital for Sick Children
  • Directory Assistant, Canwest Global Communications
  • Freelance Writer, Metropolitan Drug Awareness

Work Study - previous postings have included:

  • Communications Coordinator, Office of the Registrar
  • Alumni Assistant, Office of Advancement
  • Assistant Editor, Aboriginal Student Services
  • Communications Writer, Faculty of Music
  • Preparing Web Pages, UTM Dept. of Italian Studies
  • Newsletter Editor, UofT Health Service
  • Communications Assistant, CCIT
  • Marketing Assistant, UTM Career Centre
  • Researcher/Editorial Assistant, Centre for Russian Studies

Volunteer

  • Media Coordinator, Kidney Foundation
  • Volunteer Internship, TORO Magazine
  • Communications Assistant, Easter Seal Society
  • Grant Writer, Habitat For Humanity Brampton
  • Editor, Air Pollution Coalition of Ontario
  • Media & Promotions Chair, Heart & Stroke Foundation
  • Writer, University of Toronto Solar Racing
  • Editorial Intern, National Post Business
  • Copy Writer/Editor, Cantos Cadre Inc.
  • Communications Director, AIESEC Toronto
  • Communications & Copywriting Support, Bell Canada
  • Writer/Book Reviewer, The Uncustomary Book Review
  • Communications Representative, Arbitrage Magazine
  • Staff Writer, Arbitrage Magazine

Featured/Published Work

Have your work featured in different mediums (e.g., print, web, etc).

The Medium - Have you thought of writing or submitting photography to the Medium? It’s a great way to have your work published and a piece to add to your future portfolio.

Have your work featured in Adbusters. Adbusters is a global network of artists, activists, writers, pranksters, students, educators and entrepreneurs who want to advance the new social activist movement of the information age. For submission guidelines, see web site.

Create a Portfolio

For journalism and other writing careers, employers typically want to see samples of your writing. Start preparing a portfolio or e-portfolio of samples now. To market your skills and knowledge gained as a Professional Writing student, select a few short stories, interviews and other writing pieces to show the variety of your writing skills. You can make mention of the relevance of your portfolio in your cover letter and consider sharing a significant project you have worked on.

Join an Association

Resources

Career Centre Library Resources:

  • Career Cruising
  • Careers for Writers...
  • Careers for Bookworms...
  • Great Jobs for Communications Majors
  • Great Jobs for English Majors
  • Careers in Culture Series
  • Opportunities in Television and Video
  • Career Information Binders:Desktop Publisher, Editor, Marketing, New Media, Writing, and many more

Web Links:

Career Centre Library Videos/Panel Packages:

The Career Centre Resource Library is located in DV 3094. For more information please visit us, call 905-828-5451 or e-mail: careers.utm@utoronto.ca

What's your next step? Take a look at our Sample Career Plan to see suggested steps that you can take towards developing your career-work search plan. Check our Events Calendar regularly for upcoming career related events (we offer several networking events and panels throughout the year). Watch for our Get Experience Fair (held annually in September), the Graduate and Professional School Fair (held annually in late September or early October), and the Summer Job Fair (held annually in January).