Writing is not something you can learn in a syllabus—it’s something you learn through experience.

You might have found yourself writing poetry during a lecture or spilling your thoughts in your notes app. You might have even dreamt of a day where you eventually write for The New York Times or publish a book. But here’s the problem: no one ever really explains how to get there, especially while you’re still in high school.

If you’ve ever felt like writing professionally is this mysterious, grown-up thing that only English majors or full-time authors do... think again. Writing is a career path you can start right now. Yep — before you even graduate.

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Let’s Break Down How

What does a professional writer look like?

The word “writer” can feel so vague. But the professional writing world is massive — and growing.

Here are just a few real writing careers teens can explore:

✏️ Content Writer: Blogs, websites, guides

📰 Journalist: Articles, news coverage

📣 Copywriter: Ads, social media, branding

💼 Technical Writer: Manuals, instructions

🧠 Grant Writer: Nonprofit and fundraising proposals

📚 Editor/Proofreader: Fixing grammar, voice, and flow

🎬 Scriptwriter: Short films, YouTube, theater

🧵 Social Media Writer: Captions, storytelling, trends

💌 Newsletter/Email Writer: Updates, launches, storytelling

And here’s the good part, you don’t need a degree or an impressive resume to get started. What you do need is curiosity, consistency, and a little bit of boldness.

I started writing professionally about last year. Initially, I started writing as a passion because I thought there wasn't enough scope for it to be considered a career, but as I went on and submitted pieces to online youth publications, researched topics I’m passionate about, and joined The Teen Magazine, I fell in love with writing. It felt intimidating at first, but each article made me more confident and soon I realized you don’t need to be an expert — you just need to start.

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Where to Start

Whether you're looking to build experience, get published, or even earn some by writing, here are some places to start:

• The Teen Magazine – Accepts articles on lifestyle, mental health, school, etc.
• Polyphony Lit – Edit and submit poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction.
• VOX ATL – Covers real teen issues, they train youth writers and publish them.
• Girls Write Now – Writing and mentorship program for high school girls and youth.
• Teen Ink – Platform for student work in poetry, essays, reviews, etc.
• Young Writers Project (YWP) – A supportive writing platform that often leads to publication.

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Internships + Jobs for Teen Writers

Here are places where teens have actually landed internships in the writing field:

• Ladder Internships – Offers remote writing and journalism internships (14+).
• The Conversationalist Internship – Gen Z media platform with writing and editorial roles.
• Sparc (by Harvard students) – Writing and research internships for high schoolers.
• Superposition Fellowship – For teen girls and nonbinary youth interested in tech & writing.
• Budding Editors Internship – Edit and review writing for others.
• Forge (Writing Path) – Remote writing internships and projects for students.
• VolunteerMatch.org – Search “writing” to find remote nonprofit work (blogging, newsletters, etc.).

And don’t underestimate cold-emailing or DM’ing small brands, nonprofits, or youth organizations. You can literally say:

“Hey! I’m a teen writer and I’d love to help with blog content or writing projects. Let me know if you need support!” It works. Especially if you include writing samples (more on that below 👇).

Build Your Portfolio (a.k.a. Show Off What You’ve Got)

Even if you’ve never been published, you still have writing samples — school essays, blog posts, journal entries, even your rants in Google Docs count. Organize them in:

• A Google Drive folder with labeled documents
• A Notion site (Super easy to set up and looks professional)
• A Substack or Medium blog to showcase your ideas

Pro tip: include a mix of styles — opinion pieces, storytelling, informative writing — to show your range.

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How to Impress Future Employers

You don’t need to fake professionalism. Just show that you care and you’re willing to learn.

Here’s what helps:

• A short intro blurb: Who you are, what you write, and why you care
• Links to samples or past projects
• Proofread. Everything. Twice. You’re a writer — typos are not the vibe.

Contests and Writing Programs to Try

Want to level up your skills or connect with other writers? Try these:

• NYT Student Editorial Contest – Write an op-ed on something you care about.
• Scholastic Art & Writing Awards – National recognition and awards for teen writers.
• YoungArts Writing Competition – Get feedback, cash prizes, and mentorship.
• Society of Young Inklings – Publishing opportunities, writing programs, and events.
• Write the World – Monthly competitions and feedback from peers.
• NaNoWriMo Young Writers Program – Challenge yourself to write a novel in a month!

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Final Word

If you’re reading this, you’re already doing more than most — you’re thinking about your future as a writer. That counts. Don’t let someone tell you you’re “too young” or “not ready.” That’s a lie.

Start now. Start small. But start.

And who knows? Maybe one day, some younger teen will be reading your publication and thinking “Wait… I can do that too?”

Spoiler: yes, they can. And so can you.