Why Copywriting is the Perfect Career for the Undecided
I still don’t know what I want to be when I grow up, and I’m 30
I’ve had a lot of jobs. Like a lot. I was never one of those lucky people who came out of the womb knowing what they wanted to do in life. I still don’t know what I want to be when I grow up, and I’m 30.
Since graduating college with a bachelor’s degree in English Literature in 2012, I’ve been a retail worker, a substitute teacher, a data entry specialist, a researcher, a mystery shopper, a swim instructor, a massage therapist, and finally, a copywriter. I always knew that I wanted to write, but in 2012 I just needed a job so that I could survive independently from my parents. Entry level (aka: must have 5 years of experience) writing jobs were hard to come by in Detroit, Michigan.
So, after a long and winding path, here I am. Along the way, I learned that my two core desires in my career life are to help people and have flexibility. I want to be useful and make a measurable difference in another person’s life, but still have time to live my own. I definitely wasn’t doing either of those things in a typical 9–5. To be blunt, I was miserable. Hours of extra work and missed time with my family went virtually unnoticed, and I was working myself into the ground so my employer could get richer.
Yes, we all have to make a living, but we also want to actually live.
Millennials and Gen Zers see work differently. Yes, we all have to make a living, but we also want to actually live. So, we’re figuring out different ways to work, and how to work for ourselves. With mental health issues on the rise, work-life balance is more important than ever, and what better way to ensure that balance is achieved than being your own boss.
Copywriting allows to me to do something I love, and help people
Not only do I get to do what I love, but I also get to help business owners feel a little less overwhelmed. Writing isn’t for everyone, and running a business is hard enough without worrying about your content. Who has time to come up with SEO friendly blog articles when they’re focused on keeping their business bustling? Although words are a powerful force when it comes to driving business, the task can easily and understandably fall to the bottom of the list. I want to see small businesses thrive, so if I can help in some small way to make that happen, I’m thrilled to do so.
Copywriting allows flexibility
Doctors appointment in the middle of the day? No problem. I’ll just adjust my schedule accordingly to ensure I check enough tasks off my list. Want to take a Friday off for a long weekend road trip? Why not? My work doesn’t define my life, and I can easily shift my schedule to meet my needs. Even if I want an extra hour or two of sleep in the morning, that’s okay! Maybe I’ll just work a little later, or make up for it another day. To me, this is how work should be. As long as it’s done, and done on time, it doesn’t matter when it happens.
With copywriting, I have a different career with every project
Like I said, I’ve always had a hard time deciding what I wanted to do in life. There are so many options! With copywriting, I get to be a lot of things. This job allows me to learn about different careers and walk around in the shoes of different people. One week, I’m a wedding photographer, the next week I could be a heating and cooling expert. The possibilities are endless. I love to do research and I am a lifelong learner. As a copywriter, I get to do both on a weekly if not daily basis.
Copywriting, or just writing in general, isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. But, this career checks all of the boxes for me, and maybe it’s the answer for others who are still trying to find their purpose.
