If you’re a creative soul who’s ever had someone tell you to stick to your passions as a hobby because there’s no money in them professionally, here’s some good news. Creative people like you build successful, well-paid careers all the time. Not sure how your creative talents might transfer to the job market so you can make a living?
Here are five professional careers that can be a good fit for creative people.
If artwork is your creative passion, you might be able to put those skills to work while building a viable career with an animation studio. Whether you work directly as an animator, an art director, or some position in between, you can be a part of creating animated projects for children and adults alike.
In addition to working for an animation studio, you can put similar skills to use in game design or illustration.
If writing is more your creative forte, maybe a career in publishing is for you. This might mean becoming an author, but that isn’t your only option. You can also write shorter pieces as a freelance writer or staff writer for magazines and websites. You could become a published poet or short story writer. Or you might go into editing or other behind-the-scenes publishing jobs that help bring books and other publications to market.
Along similar lines, you could turn your writing into a successful career as a screenwriter or TV writer.
Do you love more functional design? If so, you might consider a career with an architecture firm. Design beautiful buildings, from homes to future landmarks, and watch your creative work stand the test of time.
You might also pursue related creative careers in fields like interior design or landscape architecture. You could even go into urban planning where you could help design and improve cities and towns.
Like architects, most engineers combine functionality with the aesthetics of design. Just about everything you use on a regular basis is the result of an engineer’s design, from your car to the sleek mobile phone you carry with you every day.
Engineering is largely about creative problem-solving. If that sounds like something you’d love to build a career around, there are many types of engineering to choose from. For example, you could pursue mechanical engineering, automotive engineering, or even aerospace engineering.
Maybe you’re more interested in spreading your love of art, writing, or music with others than making money directly pursuing your creative interests. If so, a career in teaching might be the perfect fit for you. Whether you’re more interested in introducing young children to the arts or helping more experienced students dive into a subject, consider a job teaching music, art, or literature.
These are just five examples of many. If you have the passion to create, you can turn that into a successful and possibly high-paying career. Don’t let anyone tell you it isn’t possible. Look around you on any given day and you’ll see products, marketing materials, and entertainment that creative people just like you were paid to create. Perhaps one day in the future, others will look to your work for similar career inspiration.