How To Become An Advice Columnist

Learn about how to become an advice columnist and be on your way to a new and interesting career helping others. Although there is not a set way in which to obtain a job as an advice columnist, there are some general steps you should take. Additionally, you may have to work your way up from other job openings after having proven your abilities in the worlds of both writing and giving advice.

1. Get an appropriate degree. Landing a job as an advice columnist will be close to impossible without the proper training and proof, in this case at least a bachelor's degree. Good choices would be journalism or communications majors. If you really want to tailor your degree to the future possibility of writing advice for others, try a minor in psychology or another social work area.
2. Get some experience. This experience may not be exactly what you envisioned, but you are unlikely to land a job as an advice columnist straight out of college, with little to no experience under your belt. Instead, look for writing or journalism type work in your area. Continue looking for upcoming job opportunities to help you rise through the ranks, either within one company or by moving from one company to the next. Be open to new possibilities and their potential helpfulness in eventually landing your preferred career.
3. Start local. You aren't going to be the new advice columnist in a major daily newspaper without some work. The good news is that this work may very well be sitting right under your nose. Look to small, local community newspapers for a door in to the world of advice column writing. Writing for the type of advice column which you hope to write for in the future is great, but an advice column on almost any topic is sufficient, provided you have the knowledge to complete the job successfully.
4. Start your own advice column. This may not bring in a significant amount of money, especially in the beginning. On the other hand, you could be quite surprised with the results if you attract a large and loyal following. The Internet makes it easy for anyone to start an advice column nowadays, so take the leap and get started. If nothing else, it gives you some direct experience, along with something to show future potential employers.
5. Become a well-known and respected expert in your field of expertise. This can be an entirely different route from journalism as a way to land the job of an advice columnist, or it can be just another piece in your plan. If you are clear and decided upon the type of advice column you want to write, you can greatly increase your chances of getting such a job offer by becoming a well-respected and trusted individual in your chosen field. Continuing education, public speaking engagements, teaching on your subject and becoming active within the field are all steps you can take to increase your involvement and the public's awareness of you.