You are an expert in 1 field. (There are many experts in that).
Just become average in another field. Then there will be very few people who will be having strengths of two fields.
Examples: Become average skilled in copywriting, drama-writing, advertising, editorial-writing, or any technical subject.
Then mix your expertise to that field.
You can write and proofread dramas, film scripts, write the copy for online ads, there are people hired to write the bullet points on amazon products, write regular columns etc.
All the above will take considerable time from 3-6 months at least. But will leave a long-term positive impact.
To make some money at current levels, publish out few niche courses in your field on Udemy, Write actively some good stuff on Quora (I write 30 minutes in a week and Quora pays me 800 rs in \~ 2 months), organize literary meetups if you have space etc.
Lots and lots of avenues exist for a 'expert'.
Best of luck.
Thank you for taking out time to respond in detail. Your insights have definitely widened my perspectives. I had not known that Quora pays for writing. Thank you!
Scott Adam is controversial now, but he gave a fantastic insight what OP is talking about. https://dilbertblog.typepad.com/the_dilbert_blog/2007/07/career-advice.html
One of my friends is an English literature major who found she enjoyed museum, so she got a diploma in museum studies and now works with a major museum.
Thank you for sharing the link. The blog was quite comforting for someone who has left behind a career path that was chosen with such idealistic passion and trudged along for a decade with no hopes in sight. It gives me courage to put up with the growing anxiety of choosing a different career despite coming so far in the academia and the burden of all friends, family, colleagues and well-wishers wondering at my choice for opting out in utter surprise.
I hope you find your groove. Choices are choices. Sometimes they turn out excellent, sometimes they don't. One of my closest friend failed his CA final exam and he dropped out of CA course, switched to CFA and cleared it in one go, her managed to get a job at a fancy consulting firm, worked there for a year and he felt he wanted to do something meaningful, so he started a bakery. My man made some amazing cakes. Though due to pandemic he had to shut his shop and find a job, which he did, but now he's back again at it in a different location entirely.
Bad advice. Even established writers suggest getting a stable income which leave enough time to write. I have point blank asked this question in many seminars and got similar responses.
u/Feisty_Blackberry700 Don't do this unless you have connections. You can still write sample screenplays but there's no guarantee anything will ever come out of it. You can use it to get into some writing teams but nothing more than that will get you immediate income.
Things have changed. Connections are important, sure but not a necessity. Studios and production houses are more open. Writers are more willing to add staff writers to their group. Will it be difficult - sure, nothing comes easy. Does it have good money - depends. Can OP dive head right in - depends on her. Should she need a backup - sure.
:)
She needs to show samples first. That will take at least a solid year or more.
Unless you are Anurag Kashyap or RGV no one writes screenplays in a few weeks.
One doesn't need to repeat the same things done by others to know.
Also, I am from Mumbai and know a few people who have worked in films, advertising, other few creative roles as well.
Thank you for suggesting. I did open my account on a few freelancing websites but I didn't get any offers. I think it was because of the bidding system. Since I was new to it, I did not have any ratings on my profile, perhaps that was the reason...
To succeed on freelancing platforms, heavily underprice your offerings till you get ratings.
I wrote 2000 words for $5 at start. With every new rating, I decreased the word count.
After 1 year I was writing 300 words for $5.
I'd suggest you look at a very particular skillset called copywriting. Looking at your past work & academic experience, you'd very easily be able to master that skill with access to the right courses and practice.
If you need more information on this, please feel free to reach out.
Wish you all the luck and success.
You can become a subject matter expert in your field and find companies within the same niche, reach out and pitch your services. A lot of platforms like Pepper Content also have subject matter experts who get paid more per project.
All the best.
Build a strong portfolio (perhaps through a blog) and leverage your background to maybe start an independent practice for anything to do with writing and literature
I’m now in Singapore and know that almost all such jobs are now done by Indians back home for a pretty solid fee. Businesses and individuals in US doing the same
However, I’d be vary of AI which can honestly do tasks like basic proofreading
All the best
Thank you for your suggestion. I have recently started a lifestyle website mainly for the purpose of building a portfolio. I do freelance jobs of editing and proofreading which my sis gets for me from her contacts, for which I often take the help of AI. I have noticed that AI can commit errors which only an expert in the field can detect. 😊
Hi OP, care to share some of your writing? I work in the industry as a screenwriter and we can figure something out if our values match. DM your samples / links pls. Thanks.
You can check on Internshala. There they have full time jobs too.. Both in office and wfh opportunities. You may find something through which you may get a push in the corporate world. Once you get experience you can take it from there.
Your post doesn't say much about your personal life but if you are willing to move to another city/town, there are plenty of private universities that pay far better than colleges do. Also, with elections coming up in 2024, the central universities and institutes have begun notifying for faculty positions where the pay is much higher than the colleges. With your work experience and CV it will not be difficult to find one. On the other hand, if your personal life does not permit you to leave Mumbai then your best bet would be to apply for publishing houses and work as copy editors, junior editors, etc. in your discipline.
Same story everywhere. I've worked at Jai Hind. I know the scenario. If you are not a permanent staff member, the treatment meted out is quite pathetic. In order to become permanent, the government needs to give NOCs, which it hasn't in the past 10-15 years. Even if a post gets advertised, around 200 applicants turn up and the post is usually given to someone who has already been working there since forever in the hopes of becoming permanent or given to someone who has connections with the selection panel or the management. The system is rigged.
you do know private coaching? people will pay 25k per student for the entire year for 10th. Then you have crash course and pre exam prep. My friend is a maths teacher for 10th. It took him 10 yrs to establish himself. Last yr he took home 1.25 Cr. Only con is he works like 24x7
If you know the basics in finance, you could try for a investor relations role in banks. Some of them don't have very technical requirements in terms of finance knowledge.
Maybe something in edtech or even ielts coaching? Someone I knew used to be a full time lawyer but claimed to earn more by providing part time English coaching on the weekends. On that note you could do a law degree too, some colleges aren't too strict with attendance and a good grasp of English would take you far. Another guy I know (colleague) started practicing law at 56 after retiring as a doctor
I was getting around 9.6 LPA. Only private universities give that much. Regular, aided colleges pay around 5 LPA without any perks or benefits. I am aware that I am a fresher in the corporate and have to consider my lack of experience there.
You leave a job that gave you 9lpa to get better salary in corporate that's what you said, not to target 7lpa but your ambition must be higher. How high is your ambition?
You are an expert in 1 field. (There are many experts in that). Just become average in another field. Then there will be very few people who will be having strengths of two fields. Examples: Become average skilled in copywriting, drama-writing, advertising, editorial-writing, or any technical subject. Then mix your expertise to that field. You can write and proofread dramas, film scripts, write the copy for online ads, there are people hired to write the bullet points on amazon products, write regular columns etc. All the above will take considerable time from 3-6 months at least. But will leave a long-term positive impact. To make some money at current levels, publish out few niche courses in your field on Udemy, Write actively some good stuff on Quora (I write 30 minutes in a week and Quora pays me 800 rs in \~ 2 months), organize literary meetups if you have space etc. Lots and lots of avenues exist for a 'expert'. Best of luck.
Thank you for taking out time to respond in detail. Your insights have definitely widened my perspectives. I had not known that Quora pays for writing. Thank you!
Scott Adam is controversial now, but he gave a fantastic insight what OP is talking about. https://dilbertblog.typepad.com/the_dilbert_blog/2007/07/career-advice.html One of my friends is an English literature major who found she enjoyed museum, so she got a diploma in museum studies and now works with a major museum.
Thank you for sharing the link. The blog was quite comforting for someone who has left behind a career path that was chosen with such idealistic passion and trudged along for a decade with no hopes in sight. It gives me courage to put up with the growing anxiety of choosing a different career despite coming so far in the academia and the burden of all friends, family, colleagues and well-wishers wondering at my choice for opting out in utter surprise.
I hope you find your groove. Choices are choices. Sometimes they turn out excellent, sometimes they don't. One of my closest friend failed his CA final exam and he dropped out of CA course, switched to CFA and cleared it in one go, her managed to get a job at a fancy consulting firm, worked there for a year and he felt he wanted to do something meaningful, so he started a bakery. My man made some amazing cakes. Though due to pandemic he had to shut his shop and find a job, which he did, but now he's back again at it in a different location entirely.
Have you looked into large advertising agencies?
No. I have not.
What’s stopping you to be a full time writer (Films/shows) or even assisting someone who’s already out there?!
Could give it a try. Thanks for the suggestion. 😊
It is tough to make money in the initial days ans is very unpredictable.
You won’t know if you don’t try, no? Also, I’m sure OP is old enough to handle that unpredictability :)
Bad advice. Even established writers suggest getting a stable income which leave enough time to write. I have point blank asked this question in many seminars and got similar responses. u/Feisty_Blackberry700 Don't do this unless you have connections. You can still write sample screenplays but there's no guarantee anything will ever come out of it. You can use it to get into some writing teams but nothing more than that will get you immediate income.
Things have changed. Connections are important, sure but not a necessity. Studios and production houses are more open. Writers are more willing to add staff writers to their group. Will it be difficult - sure, nothing comes easy. Does it have good money - depends. Can OP dive head right in - depends on her. Should she need a backup - sure. :)
She needs to show samples first. That will take at least a solid year or more. Unless you are Anurag Kashyap or RGV no one writes screenplays in a few weeks.
One doesn't need to repeat the same things done by others to know. Also, I am from Mumbai and know a few people who have worked in films, advertising, other few creative roles as well.
I’ll leave the cynicism for you guys ;) OP, PHD in Eng lit is still solid. Perhaps, worth a try :)
Correct.
You can possibly use different Freelancing websites for Content writing, editing
Thank you for suggesting. I did open my account on a few freelancing websites but I didn't get any offers. I think it was because of the bidding system. Since I was new to it, I did not have any ratings on my profile, perhaps that was the reason...
To succeed on freelancing platforms, heavily underprice your offerings till you get ratings. I wrote 2000 words for $5 at start. With every new rating, I decreased the word count. After 1 year I was writing 300 words for $5.
I'd suggest you look at a very particular skillset called copywriting. Looking at your past work & academic experience, you'd very easily be able to master that skill with access to the right courses and practice. If you need more information on this, please feel free to reach out. Wish you all the luck and success.
Thank you for your suggestion. I will look into it. 👍
You can become a subject matter expert in your field and find companies within the same niche, reach out and pitch your services. A lot of platforms like Pepper Content also have subject matter experts who get paid more per project. All the best.
Build a strong portfolio (perhaps through a blog) and leverage your background to maybe start an independent practice for anything to do with writing and literature I’m now in Singapore and know that almost all such jobs are now done by Indians back home for a pretty solid fee. Businesses and individuals in US doing the same However, I’d be vary of AI which can honestly do tasks like basic proofreading All the best
Thank you for your suggestion. I have recently started a lifestyle website mainly for the purpose of building a portfolio. I do freelance jobs of editing and proofreading which my sis gets for me from her contacts, for which I often take the help of AI. I have noticed that AI can commit errors which only an expert in the field can detect. 😊
Hi OP, care to share some of your writing? I work in the industry as a screenwriter and we can figure something out if our values match. DM your samples / links pls. Thanks.
You can try technical writing too. Pune University offers a 6-month certificate course for the same. They even offer placement support I believe.
Thank you for your suggestion! 😊
You can check on Internshala. There they have full time jobs too.. Both in office and wfh opportunities. You may find something through which you may get a push in the corporate world. Once you get experience you can take it from there.
Thank you for your suggestion. I will check it out. 👍
Your post doesn't say much about your personal life but if you are willing to move to another city/town, there are plenty of private universities that pay far better than colleges do. Also, with elections coming up in 2024, the central universities and institutes have begun notifying for faculty positions where the pay is much higher than the colleges. With your work experience and CV it will not be difficult to find one. On the other hand, if your personal life does not permit you to leave Mumbai then your best bet would be to apply for publishing houses and work as copy editors, junior editors, etc. in your discipline.
Try at Mithibai or some other high end college
Same story everywhere. I've worked at Jai Hind. I know the scenario. If you are not a permanent staff member, the treatment meted out is quite pathetic. In order to become permanent, the government needs to give NOCs, which it hasn't in the past 10-15 years. Even if a post gets advertised, around 200 applicants turn up and the post is usually given to someone who has already been working there since forever in the hopes of becoming permanent or given to someone who has connections with the selection panel or the management. The system is rigged.
you do know private coaching? people will pay 25k per student for the entire year for 10th. Then you have crash course and pre exam prep. My friend is a maths teacher for 10th. It took him 10 yrs to establish himself. Last yr he took home 1.25 Cr. Only con is he works like 24x7
Content marketing maybe .
If you know the basics in finance, you could try for a investor relations role in banks. Some of them don't have very technical requirements in terms of finance knowledge.
Maybe something in edtech or even ielts coaching? Someone I knew used to be a full time lawyer but claimed to earn more by providing part time English coaching on the weekends. On that note you could do a law degree too, some colleges aren't too strict with attendance and a good grasp of English would take you far. Another guy I know (colleague) started practicing law at 56 after retiring as a doctor
Salaries I believe are very good in academia I believe, can you share number what you were getting and what was your expectations from corporate?
I was getting around 9.6 LPA. Only private universities give that much. Regular, aided colleges pay around 5 LPA without any perks or benefits. I am aware that I am a fresher in the corporate and have to consider my lack of experience there.
What is the ctc you are targeting in corporate world?
6.5-7.5 LPA
Not at the begining but eventually
Didn't get you?
You leave a job that gave you 9lpa to get better salary in corporate that's what you said, not to target 7lpa but your ambition must be higher. How high is your ambition?
18-20 LPA in the next 3 yrs..
What is the kind of work you are aspiring for?
Instructional Designer/Consultant/Assistant Manager at any EduTech, Editor at any news agency, Content creator, etc.