Hey, I'm good at writing. What's the most profitable career I could pursue in relation to writing?

I'm in the Nursing program, but I'm not sure I'd enjoy it. Is there anything involving writing that's practicle and reliable for money?

Hi - I graduated from Carnegie Mellon University with a writing degree and have worked in writing or marketing for the last 15 years.

Writing is a tough field to be in because there aren't a lot of positions for a straight writer and the competition is very tough.

To make a lot, lot of money, you have to be super-talented, super-lucky - or both. One of my classmates from CMU is a writer in Hollywood and makes a ton of money - he was super talented (and paid his dues working crap jobs - like at Kinko's). But most of us who are working as writers don't make a lot of money. I quit my job six months ago and am having a tough time finding work.

Nursing on the other hand is a very marketable career. You can make a lot of money, and there is a demand for nurses.

Maybe a nice compromise is to continue to pursue nursing - but do some freelance writing on the side. Many small newspapers will accept freelance writing. It won't pay much - if anything at all - but it will allow you to build up your portfolio. Also, start a blog! You can use your blog to post things you've written, and get feedback from people.

Hope this helps - Julie

Public Relations

practical and reliable? No.

Journalism is right out. everyone thinks they can write and everyone thinks they can change the world and everyone wants to win a pulitzer. colleges turn out tons of new journalists every year for a shrinking career field. Bad idea.

consider a marketing degree. you may not get to write as much or often, but you can still be creative.

Movies and or Books

I would start blogging if you are good at writing. I know that Penelope Trunk has a site called the Brazen Careerist. She is looking for people who blog and have had theirs up for one month. http://www.brazencareerist.com/sign-up/

My friend is a writer and brand strategist for a major company. He did his B.S in Comparative Literature and Masters in English and Comparative Literature. Here is a link to the company he works for. You might find more information about what a writer and brand strategist does for a company.
http://www.vsapartners.com