Songwriter

Job Description:

Songwriters create lyrics and melodies for songs in different genres. They can be employed as staff writers, but typically work on a freelance basis writing lyrics and creating jingles and backing tracks. Also called composers or lyricists, some Songwriters may also perform and record their own songs.

average Salary: $73,343

Occupational Outlook:

15,500 Annual projected job openings

Links to Learn More About This Career:

Educational Requirements:

Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

University of Kentucky

Address: 410 Administration Dr, Lexington, KY 40506-0032

Website: https://www.uky.edu/

Information on the Major: https://finearts.uky.edu/savs

BCTC

Address: 500 Newtown Pike Lexington KY 40508

Website: https://bluegrass.kctcs.edu/

Information on the Major: https://bluegrass.kctcs.edu/education-training/programs/music/

Berklee College of music

Address: 22 The Fenway Boston 02115

Website: https://college.berklee.edu/

Information on the Major: https://college.berklee.edu/music-education/bachelor-of-music-in-music-education

Soft Skills, Characteristics, and/or Abilities Need For This Career:

Written Expression — The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
Fluency of Ideas — The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).
Originality — The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem.
Written Comprehension — The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
Near Vision — The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

Software Knowledge Needed For This Career:

Ableton
Garageband

Pros and Cons to Choosing This Career

Pros (Positives to this Career)

Traveling and collaborating with others

Can learn new techniques

See things from a different perspective

Cons (Negatives to this Career)

Being compared to others

Uncomfortable work environments

Time Restraints

Typical Working Conditions For This Career:

Working inside, writing or composing songs for others for a long period of time.

Career Researched By: JB Kate Resultay

Sources & Citations

https://www.quora.com/What-are-the-pros-and-cons-of-being-a-songwriter-producer-or-artist#:~:text=The%20pros%20of%20being%20a,hours%2C%20and%20uncomfortable%20work%20environments.

https://work.chron.com/advantages-disadvantages-being-professional-musician-7940.html#:~:text=The%20primary%20%22pro%22%20of%20being,courting%20an%20admiring%20fan%20base.

https://www.benjamingroff.com/blog/the-best-songwriting-music-production-software-reviewed/#:~:text=And%20if%20you%20want%20the,Logic%2C%20as%20well%20as%20ProTools.