Best Creative Jobs to Unleash Your Talent and Make Good Money

You were born with a pencil in your hand and you never stopped drawing, writing, and decorating mom’s dining room walls with Sharpies. Now that you’re looking for a good career, what are the best creative jobs that will allow you to keep doing what you love?

The biggest complaint from parents of a creative child is usually something along the lines of, “You’ll never make enough money to support yourself doing that.” Almost every creative child has heard that, or a similar admonition, throughout their entire childhood.

That is no longer true.

Computers and advancing technology have unleashed a vast array of viable and lucrative career opportunities for creative-minded people. So keep those paint brushes at the ready, your keyboard tilt perfect, and sharpen your pencils. You can make money in creative fields!

Your Creative Beast Needs Feeding

If you are one of those people that has always doodled, kept a daily journal, kept busy writing short stories for your siblings and friends, and was always daydreaming, you have a creative beast. As with all pets, you need to feed the beast.

When you are researching career plans, don’t lose sight of that creativity. You can have one of the best creative jobs, make a good living, and actually enjoy your job.

So don’t settle for that factory assembly line job just because you were always told that artists starve.

Creating your way to a viable career

Despite the naysayers, you have decided to search for the best creative jobs, see what you need to do to get one, and live happily ever after. But where do you start?

Right here, of course.

Just to name a few you can select from:

• Creative director
• Media director
• Graphic Artist
• Chief marketing officer
• Art director
• Marketing director
• Writer

The list goes on. There are several dozen career opportunities that we could list here. Everything from a structural engineer to zoo marketing director. No matter where your creative genius lies, there is a creative job just waiting for you.

Exploring the options

While you are deciding on a path to some of the best creative jobs in the industry, you should begin by exploring your options. Look at your personal talents, likes, and an estimated salary you would like to earn after you get established.

That starts with your talents. If you excel in computers, a look into the graphics arts field could land you quite lucratively in web site design where you can earn six figures within a couple of years.

If you are more hands-on and tactile, you might prefer something in marketing such as designing window displays or set design for commercials. Fabrics workers can find a home in costume design and construction in the TV, movie, or stage industries.

Writers, photographers, museum curators, and librarians all have creative jobs.

Once you decide what direction you want to focus on it is time to explore the map. Discover how to get there from here.

Educational Opportunites for the Best Creative Jobs

When it comes to training for the best creative jobs, there are several options. College is the direction that most people tend toward. But the important thing to know is that college isn’t the only option anymore.

As we advance as a society, higher education is still highly sought after, but we are also seeing a resurgence in trade schools and apprenticeship programs.

Accelerated courses in many areas are available through trade schools. These can have you earning a great wage in some of the best creative jobs available.

Don’t dismiss this option

Trade schools, or vocational schools, are designed to assist students to enter the workforce immediately upon completion. While a vast majority of trade schools are devoted to things such as auto mechanics, culinary pursuits, and some medical fields, they are evolving to include many new areas of study.

In the design field, you can explore careers as an art director, fashion designer, architect, industrial design, and many more areas of study. Under the craft arts umbrella, you can find jobs in jewelry making, glass blowing, and woodworking or carpentry. The world of fine arts is ripe with many of the best creative jobs, including cartoonist, photographer, illustrator, portrait painter, and even tattoo artist.

When you add a computer into the mix, more opportunities open. The computer age expands the list of the best creative jobs by at last double.

Multimedia career fields are in high demand. You can be an app designer, web site designer or manager, a graphic artist, or an animator. If your creativity leans toward writing, you can become a journalist, an author, screenwriter, or even a technical writer.

So, if college seems like a long and expensive process, explore trade schools to get you on the right path.

Degree programs can lead to great jobs

If you have decided that you want to take the college or university route, yes, there are plenty of opportunities for the best creative jobs there also. We’re going to use the path required to become a creative director to outline the degree route. While some of the best creative jobs will require slight alterations along the route, most will take a similar path to success.

The first step is to find out the requirements for your area of interest. To become a creative director, you would start by earning a Bachelor’s degree in marketing, graphic design, or a similar major. You probably won’t start at the top, so you’ll have to work your way into management. that can take 7 to 10 years, but you will gain valuable experience along the way.

Some management positions will require an advanced degree, which can be earned while you are working to gain the level of experience you need. This will also afford you the time to work on interpersonal relationships and general people skills. A good manager has worked “in the trenches” and knows what it is like for new people trying to break into the field.

Whatever route you take, the end result can be a rewarding career with great pay. For instance, the creative director we outlined above can be earning $80,000 to $100,000 per year. All while enjoying their job and using their creativity. Graphic designers, art directors, game designers, and others enjoy a substantial wage in the best creative jobs.

You can too!

Narrowing Your Choices or Broadening Your Horizons

We have briefly covered several career paths, but we haven’t even chipped a small ice cube off the iceberg. There are so many potential jobs out there that it was difficult for us to select the best creative jobs. Instead, we decided to list a huge chunk of them and let you decide which area is right for you.

After all, no one knows what you want to do for the rest of your life except you, right?

Make your doodles pay the bills

Artists always seem to be doodling, drawing, or painting. All the famous painters didn’t get famous until they died, so no one really considers painting a viable career field, unless you’re a house painter.

Those days are over.

There are art jobs that pay over $100,000 annually just waiting for you. You might not walk out of college or trade school right into a six-figure salary, but you can attain it within a few years.

Take a look at the different career fields open to you as an artist:

• Illustrator/technical illustrator
• Industrial designer
• Makeup artist
• Fashion designer
• Cake decorator
• Art teacher
• Animator

The list goes on, but we’ll stop there. If it is in the arts field, there is a career out there waiting for you.

Suggested Post: Tips On How To Follow Up After Your Interview

You’ve got the touch, give them the look

If your creative talents tend more to the tactile and visual area, there are a slew of career choices for you.

• Interior design
• Floral arrangements
• Landscape design an implementation
• Architecture/building design
• Wedding and event planner

This list continues also. If this is your strong area, you will find plenty of opportunities to explore your creativity while earning a decent wage. Many of these are also perfect for freelancers and entrepreneurial spirits who don’t want to be tied to a standard job.

Get your words on!

Are you a writer? Careers for writers are always going to be in demand. As we fall away from printed copy, the demand has shifted to digital formatting options. But that shift has also created a wealth of opportunity for some of the best creative jobs on the planet.

The number of stay-at-home jobs increases constantly, allowing you flexibility. From web content positions to technical writing, demand will continue to rise. If you need a stay-at-home job and can be self-motivated, freelancing is an awesome lifestyle.

While print demands are decreasing, there is still a viable market in novel production for on-demand book sales. Yes, people do still buy books. Travel books, fiction and non-fiction, texts, and biographies are always going to be in demand. With on-demand printing, publishing costs are broken down to allow singular production of books as they are purchased. The minimal delay in shipping is sometimes as slight as 12 hours to print a complete book, bind it, and send it out to the purchaser.

The demand for ghostwriters is also growing daily. Take someone else’s idea and develop it for a great source of residual income. Editing is another field in this category where there are plenty of jobs to be found. While most ghostwriting and editing jobs pay per word, there are some that offer pretty lucrative contracts for someone with the right portfolio.

There are also management positions in these fields available that allow you to work with teams of creative people for a salary. If freelancing and working at home isn’t for you, you can explore opportunities with a large array of companies that are looking for people with your skills and creative mindset.

Unlock that thespian

Although this area sort of defines itself, we will offer a few suggestions on the best creative jobs in film and theater:

• Actor
• Director
• Producer
• Camera operators
• Choreographers
• Set design and construction
• Costume design and production
• Stage managers
• Film editing

As you can see, there are plenty of opportunities. You can work in a community theater setting (most of these don’t pay, but are an excellent launching point). Off-Broadway shows often have open auditions. You might even hit the big time with a Broadway production or a major film.

While it may take some time to break into this industry, the entertainment business will always be in demand. CGI can only do so much, and even those require real people to create accurate movements.

A music lover’s dream job

If you love music, consider using that love to strike out as a wedding DJ or form your own small-town band. While many people do this type of job as a side gig, there are those who make a full-time job out of providing a viable service.

If you don’t like crowds, but want to share your love of music, think about becoming a radio DJ. With the internet and satellite radio, the opportunities in this area increased 100-fold over the last decade.

Behind-the-scenes positions in radio are available if you are technical-minded and microphone-shy. Mixing music, adding synthesized sound enhancements, and working with electronics can be a high-paying use of your creative energies.

The art of sales

If your eye is on visually appealing displays, marketing may be an excellent showcase for your talents:

• Window designers
• Catalog designers
• Internet commerce
• Television commercial production
• Photographers

There are more jobs in this field than the few we have listed. Selling will exist as long as we are a capitalist society. Providing a pleasing display advertisement can mean satisfying your inner design elf.

The designer touch

Since the 80s, the internet has become as commonplace as salt on the dinner table. If you are good with a computer, graphic design and internet jobs may be a perfect stopping point for your talents.

From simple to complex infographics, web site design and layout, to advanced coding for special web effects, these jobs will remain in constant demand for many years to come. Application coding for phone apps is another area that is growing. Develop your own app, or contract your services to someone with a unique idea.

This well is literally bottomless. Explore to your heart’s content and develop the skills you need to succeed in this field.

Teaching (I know, but hear us out)

Some people are teachers. They just are. While teaching is not exactly a high-paying career field, it can be satisfying in many ways. That may or may not make up for the lack of fiscal stimulus, but being happy in your career makes going to work a lot easier.

So, if you were born to teach, follow your dream and teach. Trade schools will allow you to become a substitute teacher or community program teacher. A full degree program with certification will take longer, but will also reward you with a higher salary in full-time education.

The Best Creative Jobs Are Waiting on You

We could not make this an all-inclusive list of the best creative jobs. We tried to spark in your creative brain the ability to look past what you have been told by the naysayers.

You can make a decent career in the arts. With trade schools and university programs being developed daily, this field will keep growing over time. Our entire society is shifting into a more independent arena. There are more opportunities for freelancers and entrepreneurs than ever before.

So adjust your mindset and go find that perfect job for your creativity to express itself.

We hope you enjoyed our foray into the best creative jobs and that it has given you food for thought. Leave us a comment if you are considering a career shift, have already made one (we love success stories), or are just starting to search for your perfect job.

How To Apply for a Career With Wawa

Some areas have a Sheetz; but everywhere else on the East Coast looks to Wawa as the premier gas station and convenience store. Started in 1964, this company offers the area stellar service, excellent food, and valuable career opportunities. If you want to know how to apply for a career with Wawa, you’ve come to the right place.

There’s a lot more to this company than meets the eye — and a few surprising facts prove corporations can be kind-hearted. If you’re looking to apply to one of their locations, here’s what you need to know about Wawa careers, jobs, and applications.

What Opportunities Do They Offer?

Wawa offers job seekers both career opportunities and entry-level positions. Their working conditions are considered favorable, and they have solid employee benefits, their workers own 40 percent of their shares. Some positions are available on the corporate side of the company, but most jobs can be found inside their locations.

*Editor’s note: This article was written before the current health issues. Wawa is still in operation, as an essential services provider. Here is what they are doing for essential employees during this trying time:

We continue to focus on supporting our associates during this time, who have truly come to the forefront to serve our communities. This is and continues to be our priority and we have taken steps to recognize their hard work with additional pay and by continuing to review and update our paid time off policies to be more flexible and supportive, and to minimize the impact to them should they be affected by COVID-19.

Nothing is more important to us than doing our best to continue to support our incredible associates and maintain our Wawa family now and for the future.

Wawa CEO Chris Gheysens

Most positions include entry-level (not requiring much experience) customer service work. They can have a demanding workload from week to week with hectic schedules.

Most employees must work both weekends and holidays, but they also offer a pay increase in the first 90 days on the job. Some locations also function as full-service gas stations, which means employees may need to fuel vehicles at the pumps.

There are numerous customer service positions available, as well as fuel associates — who take on the bulk of physical labor for the company.

The corporate end of the business often requires a degree. However many employees find that they can work their way up to management with or without a college education.

What Are the Jobs and How Much Do They Pay?

You must be at least eighteen years of age and have a reliable mode of transportation for consideration. A high school diploma or GED is not necessary to work at a Wawa location.

It does, however, look better on your application if you do have a diploma or the equivalent.

There are a number of positions where the minimum age drops to sixteen, high school students are welcome to apply.

Customer service is an excellent field that provides you with valuable skills necessary to make yourself more employable in the future. Here are some of the position most individuals apply for.

Customer Service Associate

These employees are responsible for ringing up customers, preparing food, and general cleaning of the store.

The position relies heavily on customer interaction, making personable skills a valuable asset when applying for the job. You’ll be speaking with customers from the moment you punch in, to the moment you punch back out.

Expect lifting up to 50 pounds, working on your feet during the shift, and both second and third shifts. Employees in this position with greater seniority often work the daylight shifts. The third shift, however, comes with the highest rate of pay.

Wages may vary by locations, with busier stores often offering higher pay.

Fuel Service Assistant

Fuel attendants are responsible for handling the classic full-service gas stations. They pump gas for customers, process their payments, and keep the fueling area clean. In this position, expect to lift up to 50 pounds at a time as well as bending and walking.

Employees in this position lift the five-pound fuel handles anytime a customer pulls up to the pump, too. While pay rates are similar to customer service associates, tips for excellent service as a fuel attendant are more likely.

Management

There are three types of manager at Wawa consisting of shift manager, assistant manager, and general manager. Shift managers take charge when upper management is not around. They keep track of employees and ensure that operations run smoothly both day and night.

The assistant manager often completes any remaining work from their general manager, and also monitor customer service associates. Just like the shift manager, they too must ensure that operations run as smooth as possible.

General managers, or head managers, maintain relationships with Wawa’s vendors, develop sales plans, and oversee all merchandising. All managers work on an hourly basis, with possible bonuses for hitting sales goals.

How to Apply

All applications for Wawa are online, and remaining active for a total of 90 days after their submission. Filling one out starts with a basic profile that allows you to return and apply again quickly once the 90 days have expired. Give yourself about 30 to 40 minutes in order to complete the application in its entirety. Click here to go to their application page.

Expect questions about your education, a multiple-choice personality questionnaire, and why you want to work for Wawa. If the store you are applying too doesn’t have an opening at the time, neighboring stores may review you for hire.  

After you apply

Wawa encourages all applicants to stop into the store* they’ve applied to. Speak with the manager on-site about employment for the best chance of being hired. *Editor’s note: Call ahead, to find out their current policy on this.

General managers have the final say on who gets hired, having access to the pool of online applicants. If selected for an interview, dress in clean, nice clothing. Wawa also encourages you to make eye-contact during the interview.

If you’re applying for the customer service position, you’ll need to demonstrate that you have exceptional people skills. The best way is through your personal interaction with the manager. The interview process is designed to determine the best applicant for the job.

Expect the entire hiring process to take at least two weeks. During this time, it never hurts to contact the manager and thank them for considering you for the position. This is an excellent way to stand out from other applicants.

What Benefits Come with the Job?

Any Wawa employee working more than 34.5 hours a week is eligible for full benefits offered by the company. There are financial perks like a 401(k)-retirement plan, medical coverage that includes dental and vision, and life insurance.

Paid time off is another perk of working for Wawa. However, their commitment to educational assistance is something that you should look into if you’re considering pursuing a college education.

Other benefits include: disability coverage for on the job injuries, wellness screenings, and on-the-job coaching at no additional cost to employees. Plus, you have access to discounted merchandise while on the clock.

That’s impressive for a chain of gas stations; it’s mainly due to their employees having such a significant say in company decisions.

Other Information You Might Want to Know

Wawa has its own non-profit organization called the Wawa Foundation. In just under 5 years, Wawa’s foundation has given $50 million to charity.

They also grant money to hospitals, food banks, and military charities. Finally, they also partner with the Special Olympics — planning services for a variety of events that raise awareness for different conditions.

It isn’t often that a company is so invested in its employees. But, the charity outreach displayed by Wawa is exceptional inside and outside of its industry. This is a company that cares about your wellbeing; and one that you can feel good working for at the same time.

Where else can you get that kind of job satisfaction these days?

Working for Wawa

Wawa careers, jobs, and applications are as straightforward as they are competitive and beneficial to both employees and charities. Whether you plan to make a career here in management — or are just dipping your toes into the workforce for the first time — this chain of gas stations is an excellent place to work and a sensational company to be a part of.

Remember to give yourself enough time to fill out your online application. Then, make eye contact during the interview, and give a follow-up phone call to thank them for considering you. That helps you stand out from the crowd. If your 90 days do expire, don’t panic. You can easily reapply anytime.

Best Summer Jobs for College Students

Summer is almost here, which means it’s time to find a seasonal gig where you’ll make big bucks.  Here are the best summer jobs for college students.

Summertime means longer days, great weather, and lots of time to hang out and have fun with friends and family.  While you’re taking a break from classes, you can also land yourself a full or part-time job with a company that needs seasonal help and is willing to pay well for it.  Whether you want to pad your savings account, or just fund your summer festivities, you can apply for one of these summer jobs for college students.

We’ve spent a little time to separate out jobs which allow for telecommuting or working remotely, especially in light of this year’s health crisis.

Writer/Content Development

Search online job posting sites for companies who are looking for bloggers, writers, or content developers.  Most of these positions are done from home, and you can search for both part-time or full-time hours. 

Update your resume, and get ready to apply!

You’ll need to have a knack for writing, excellent grammar skills, and be adept at research on many different topics to land a position.  

Experience with online blogging platforms like WordPress, or photography is sometimes a plus.  The best part?  If you have a goal of being a writer or journalist, you can use these pieces to build your portfolio.

Tutor/English Teacher

Summer break is a popular time for parents to schedule tutoring sessions for their kids who are still in primary school and struggling with a subject or two.  If you have a knack for math or English, and like working with kids, this is a great way to make some extra cash in only a few hours a week.  

Look for postings on school websites or create flyers to hang at places that families frequent like the YMCA, the swimming pool, or rec center.  You can also contact the local schools to see if they would be willing to promote your services prior to the end of the school year.  

There are lots of companies looking for online English teachers, too. Check those out.

This is another excellent bullet point on your resume especially if you eventually want to go into education.

Best yet, most tutoring can be done fully remotely. 

Tour Guide and Storyteller

Depending on where you live, you might be able to land a job as a tour guide in your city. This job may not be readily available this year.

Particularly if you’re in an area that sees a lot of tourist activity, like Key West, New Orleans, Las Vegas, or Orlando for example, as traffic spikes during the summer while families take their vacations.

Check with the city or town where you live for summer jobs for college students, and also explore less mainstream options.  Ghost tour companies, for example, do a lot of business and guides make an hourly wage plus tips.

Be prepared to have a flexible schedule and comfortable public speaking in front of a group.  If drama is your thing, this is a fun way to memorize a script and give it some embellishments to make it your own.

Landscaping Expert

If you love being outdoors and getting your hands a little dirty while you work on your summer tan, you could use that to your advantage.  You don’t come in contact with many people, and those who can’t leave their homes are going to be looking for help.

Professional landscaping companies who mow lawns, do weed whacking and trim bushes are pricey — people who live in your local neighborhood might consider a more affordable alternative.  

If you have access to lawn care equipment that your parents will let you use, and a way to transport it, you can offer your services.

First, do a little research to determine the going rate for lawn care and then offer a fair price for the job. Post to an online job board, or call local senior centers, libraries, or

You can also partner with a reliable friend, so you can get twice the work done and split the profits.

Camp Counselor

Pop quiz- if you’re under the age of 12, what’s the best thing about summer? Summer camp, of course!  If you have a knack for working with kids and love the great outdoors, you can get in on the fun as a camp counselor.  

Many different organizations offer summer camps, like the YMCA, MDA, or local recreation centers.  However, they typically start interviewing and hiring for these positions in the spring, so be sure to apply early to get your spot.

You’ll likely need to take a few certifications, depending on the camp and origination running it.  The good news is, not only will you walk away from the experience CPR certified, but they will usually pay you for the training too.

City Employees at the Beach

Ever since Baywatch debuted in the late 80’s, everyone wants to be a lifeguard for the summer. Unfortunately, it’s not an easy job to get.  You will need to obtain a lifeguard certification, as well as have current CPR/AED/First Aid training.  

Some organizations or employers also require additional training sessions before you can grab that buoy and blow the whistle.  If you’re a strong swimmer with a desire to save lives, reach out early in the year to find out what it takes to have a chance to make the cut.

If this sounds like more than you’re ready for, but you still want a chance to play in the big sandbox every day, you can still work at the beach.  Most public beaches are run through the city or county and regularly hire for their concessions and maintenance staff during the summer.

Home Improvement

The summer months are a popular time for people to do renovations.  If you want to pitch in on jobs like painting houses, installing new flooring, or building a deck, you can earn cash while you help.  

Look for postings on local job sites where do-it-yourselfers are looking for extra money, or reach out to local contractors who may need an extra pair of hands to balance their workload over the season.

Childcare

As our situation changes, parent of young children may need help caring for kids, and not want them in large groups like a daycare or summer camps.

If you enjoy working with little humans, you could apply to be a nanny during the day.  

Some families may even offer you a place to live in their home in exchange for your services which is a bonus if you are staying in your college town over the summer and need a place to stay.

Cleaning Services

• 

Young people being at the least risk for our current issue, there may be plenty of openings for you in this field.

Like lawn care, services that clean your home or business are pricey, and some people may be open to a more affordable alternative.  If you consider yourself a “neat freak” and like the idea of helping others clean up and get more organized, this could be a perfect fit for you.  

Spread the word, post on job boards, and make flyers advertising your services.  Locally owned hotels are another great prospect here too.  Reach out over the phone to see if they would consider hiring you to maintain their lobby and guest areas.

Pet Care

Homebound, at-risk, quarantined, or elderly people may have need of someone to walk their dogs or take them for grooming, Even go purchase pet food and supplies for them.

If families travel for their summer vacations, many need someone to watch over their pets while they are away.  You could offer your services to stop by their home to walk and feed their animal — or even stay on their property to give their dog or cat a sense of comfort while they are away.

You could also offer pet walking services, or do yard clean up in your neighborhood to make a few extra bucks.

Computer Services

Some older people can’t even figure out Facebook, let alone their email. And, well, they’re not alone.  Computer services and basic tech tutoring are in high demand, especially in the older adult crowd.  

If you’re tech-savvy, contact your local senior center or retirement communities to offer your skills to the residents.  You might be surprised how many people buy your time for a few hours so that they can “figure out that darn email” or finally get their wifi set up.

You can even offer services remotely, walking people through tech topics.

Internship

There may be paid internship positions available in your community that could give you valuable on-the-job skills that directly relate to your major or future career.  Contact businesses that you might someday want to work at and ask about their summer intern positions.

There may also be paid online internships you can find on sites like Glassdoor.com or LinkedIn.

The Bottom Line

While these aren’t the only summer jobs for college students, these are some of the most popular and best-paying options out there. Remember, dress for success, keep an open mind, and be genuine in your interview and you’re sure to land a position that’s right for you.

Remember, there are lots of remote opportunities out there for you, too.

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