This is one of the most common questions people are going to ask you—and one of the most common questions you’re going to ask yourself as you navigate through the world of MFA’s, writing, editing, editing again and (hopefully) publishing. Here are two ideas to get you started:

1: Journalism

This is a pretty broad category in and of itself—there are myriad pathways to choose from, all depending on your particular interests and specializations. There’s investigative journalism, print journalism, broadcast journalism…The moral of the story is, there are a lot of options. If you’re considering a career on journalism, there are a few steps that you need to take beforehand:

I: Earn your bachelor’s degree

If you’re reading this right now, I assume you’re already pursuing (or considering pursuing) your bachelor’s degree, maybe even your master’s. Depending on the type of journalism you’re interested in, I’d recommend taking on a minor, or even a double major (if you’re prepared for the workload). This is useful for those of you who might be interested in politics, science, technology or another broader field of journalism, so that you’ll have a more extensive knowledge of the subject you’d eventually like to report on.

II: Practice, Practice, Practice

This one might be self-explanatory, bur developing your skills as a writer is a crucial step in the pathway toward becoming a journalist. Without the necessary writing chops, a degree doesn’t mean much in the world of journalism. There are many ways you can do this, beyond the creative writing workshops you’ll already be taking during the course of your higher education. You can start a blog (something I highly recommend, no bias), freelance by submitting and pitching your articles to different news sources, journals and websites. If your work is accepted and published, then you’ll gain networking opportunities as well as experience to add to your portfolio.

III: Internships and Networking

While networking is an important practice in any field, it’s essential in the world of journalism, and writing in general. You could write the most incredible, newsworthy article known to man, but if you don’t have the communication skills or broad network of people who can help you get it attention, then it’s only going to fall flat (unless you get a lucky break). Reach out to local reporters, journalists and news sources for advice and internship opportunities. This way, you can gain beneficial exposure and experience in the field so you’re not going in blindly.

Social Media & Marketing

Social Media plays a huge role in the success of businesses in this modern day of technology and a general shift to primarily online networking. It’s a market that’s expanding rapidly, and one that probably won’t be going anytime soon. Here are some tips for those considering a career in Social Media Marketing:

I: Join and be Active on Social Media Networks

Perhaps an obvious one, but nonetheless, a crucial piece of advice. If you’re not familiar with the various logistics and audiences of different social media platforms, then how are you going to create content that resonates with that specific audience? This is also your greatest opportunity for networking. You’re probably well-versed in the old axiom—it’s not always what you know, but rather who you know. Join social media clubs and involve yourself in forums. One that I recommend is Social Media Club.

II: Build Your Resume

There are plenty of people in the world who could be considered experts in the field of social media, ranging from trained professionals to teenage Twitter prodigies. In order to make yourself stand out among the competition, it helps to have a hefty resume. Look for marketing internships, submit your work to literary magazines and social media sites. This is another situation where higher education comes in handy as well, as you’ll appear more credible if you have your bachelor’s or master’s in a subject that relies heavily on writing (creative writing, hello!). It will also provide you with the skills necessary to write effectively and toward an audience. When it comes to social media, in the end, it’s about creating something that is both professional enough to be taken seriously, yet friendly enough to appeal to your audience.

III: Stay Updated

If there’s one thing I know about social media, it’s that trends come and go at an alarming rate. If a business finds themselves one day behind on what is popular, then their strategies will be considered irrelevant, or in the worst cases, mocked by the more up-to-date user base.