Proposal Writer Jobs: Salary and Career Facts
Do you enjoy persuasive writing? Would you like to secure funding for a local non-profit organization? You may want to consider a career as a proposal writer. Read on to learn more about training programs, job duties and possible earnings in this profession. Schools offering English Reading & Writing degrees can also be found in these popular choices.
What Types of Educational Programs Are Available for Proposal Writers?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Most writers - including freelance and technical writers - have a bachelor's degree (www.bls.gov). As an aspiring proposal or grant writer, you might consider pursuing a bachelor's degree in communications or English. In these programs, you could learn how to harness the power of prose through courses in creative writing, written communication, mass media reporting and advanced editing.
If you already have a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field, you might want to earn a certificate in proposal writing. Certificate programs generally consist of a series of courses designed to familiarize you with every step of the proposal writing process. You'll study how to find funding sources, design a budget and manage a proposal project. Completion of an internship may be required in order to earn your certificate.
What Will My Job Duties Be?
You might assess an organization's financial needs, collect the data required to submit a proposal and ensure that proposal deadlines are met. According to job postings found on Careerbuilder.com in April 2011, grant writers may also be responsible for locating funding opportunities offered by government agencies and private foundations, meeting with local community members and editing completed proposals. Some writers work as part of a fundraising team; you might supervise administrative support staff or proposal writing assistants.
What Could I Expect to Earn?
According to Salary.com, the median annual salary for grant and proposal writers was $56,350 as of April 2011. Most employers prefer to hire applicants that have several years of proposal writing experience. Your exact salary range in this profession will depend on a number of factors, including type of industry, years of experience and geographic location. Proposal writers that deal with highly technical fields, such as bioengineering or genetic research, may command a higher salary than those working in non-technical fields.
To continue researching, browse degree options below for course curriculum, prerequisites and financial aid information. Or, learn more about the subject by reading the related articles below:
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