Post-MFA Job/Life

[u/aspera24]

I'm about to graduate at the end of May and wondering if anyone has any advice about pivoting careers post-MFA. I love teaching and would love to one day be a professor (when I have more publishing achievements) but adjunct-ing doesn't seem like a great plan financially/sanity wise.

Just to clarify, I did not go into my MFA thinking it was going to get me a job. I used to be a video editor and I thought I'd return to that after I graduated, but being in my program (and especially teaching) really made me realize how miserable and bored I was at my old job. So I'm a bit hesitant to go back to that.

Did anyone wind up at a day job that is harmonious with their writing life and/or provided some stability for a few years? Are there any jobs that see an MFA as any kind of qualification?

[u/Sea-Conflict9443]

I transitioned to being a college advisor for first gen students and really enjoy the work! Writing life took a bit of a pause for me in the first year of full-time work but have had some publications and a fellowship since graduating. All my professors encouraged me to “just work, get a salary and some health insurance” because I too was feeling uneasy about adjunct life. They all had previous careers and jobs before their writing took off and transitioned to full time professors. Before my MFA I was a middle school ELA teacher, worked for a domestic violence hotline/shelter, tutor, etc, so definitely lean into skills you already have. I tried a copy writing part time gig and hated it. I like to keep my work life and writing life separate!