Graduates seeking a career in creative industries such as writing or design need to showcase their talents to the wider world in order gain feedback and raise their profile with those already in the sector.

Rich Wilson of creative publishing network zoo qoo said websites like MySpace had given a platform for those looking for a creative career, while his own network aims to put talented people in touch with industry figures through its showcase and feedback system.

One of the key occupations in the creative industries is writing. Writers can produce material for a range of outlets, be it newspapers, factual or fiction books, magazines, journals and television and radio shows.

The occupation covers news writers and columnists who produce reports and opinion pieces, technical writers who produce instructions or guides, and copy writers who come up with advertisements.

Many writers also work as editors, judging the quality of articles, going over material to correct mistakes or adding suggestions to existing pieces.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the United States had 306,000 writers and editors in 2006. Around half of these professionals had annual earnings of between $34,850 and $67,820.