You should start building your writer's portfolio while you are in high school. You can include articles you write for the school paper, or writing assignments you complete in school. You can include samples of your own creative writing, hobby writing, and ideas you have had for future projects in writing. When you enter a writing program in college, you will add to your portfolio.

At some point, you might decide to take out some of your earlier work as your portfolio develops. Even when you take out your earlier work, you should keep it. These beginning portfolio items may be valuable to you later, whether you become a professional writer, a teacher, or find work in an entirely unexpected field.

Most courses require you to read published essays in addition to writing original pieces. This allows you to read firsthand successful, well-argued essays and also to generate ideas of your own.

Many graduate English and writing programs allow or require you to teach composition to undergraduate students. In addition, many graduate students in this field work for on-campus tutoring or writing centers. You help students with all aspects of writing, from generating ideas to organizing paragraphs to revising.

Most schools require you to take English composition courses. This is different than getting a degree in the field.

English composition is usually a specialization of a larger English degree. It is most commonly offered in graduate English programs.

Many entry-level office jobs are accessible with a two-year degree in English composition.