What Ten Jobs Can You Do With Your English Degree
90An English degree is a broad and versatile degree which offers graduates a wide variety of career paths to follow. With an emphasis on communication and the written word, English majors learn to research, analyze and interpret information. They are encouraged to be critical and creative while exploring the many cultures of the world around them as well as the cultures that have come before them. English majors also study the history of the English language along with the beginnings of the written word. They learn how language has developed into the way we use words today and how it may change in the future.
The following is from an article recently published in the New York Times
Companies are also seeking evidence of communication and writing skills, analytical ability and teamwork . . .
. . . you can’t be casual about your job search . . . your résumé, cover letter and interviewing skills must be top notch.
. . . in most fields, it is important to write and speak clearly and to see things from different perspectives. A graduate with an English degree who tailors those strengths to a particular job description can make a strong case for being hired.
An understanding of the human condition gained through great literature can be helpful in professions like social work . . .
College Graduates
Writer/Author/Journalist - A Natural With An English Degree
The most obvious career path is writing whether it be creative, article writing, or journalistic. An English degree gives the writer a strong foundation on which to build a writing career. The new writer can learn a great deal by studying the works of established writers. Great fiction is the workbook of the novice writer and every book you read will teach you something about your own writing.
An English Degree Can Prepare You For A Career In Television/movies/radio
An English major leaves college with the knowledge to pursue many creative writing endeavors including producing and writing for television, movies and radio.
William Shakespeare
Technical Writing With Your English Degree
An offshoot of the creative writer would by technical writing which includes grant and proposal writing. The English major can chose the concentration of the major such as creative writing, technical writing or teaching that best fits the desired career path.
English Majors Make Great Editors
The study of written language, word usage and sentence structure gives the English major the expertise to edit the work of others. Expert editing is needed in many venues including manuscript and online editing. Editors are often proofreaders and ghostwriters as well and are needed in the business world as well as the publishing world.
An English Degree Gives You The Skills To Be An Effective Teacher
Another obvious path for English majors is teaching. Those with a BA in English can teach at the elementary and secondary level. Further education is needed for teaching at a higher level such as universities and colleges.
Teacher
Skills Learned With Your English Degree Will Prepare You For A Career In Law
An English degree can be a good building block to the pre-education of the law student. The ability to research and analyze information can be invaluable. Also what lawyer wouldn't benefit from the capacity to write and articulate well and be adept at proper word usage with the facility to communicate effectively.
Legal assistant
These same proficiency of research and information investigation can be applied to the job of assistant to an attorney.
Lawyer
Become A Librarian With Your English Degree
An English degree is a good foundation for library studies. Working with the written word on a daily basis, Librarians need a good understanding of literature, and also need the ability to research and analyze data.
Business Communications With Your English Degree
The skills acquired as an English major are invaluable in the business world. Writing and communicating coherently, researching and interpreting information and critical thinking are all valuable assets for the successful business person.
Public Relations
Public relations
The field of public relations is based on effective communication through both oral and the written word.
Research analyst
Researching information and knowing how to effectively apply it to the real world are skills learned through the English degree program.
Ten skills English majors graduate with.
Ability to organize thoughts, ideas and materials
Ability to analyze texts and interpret their meaning
Ability to argue positions effectively
Ability to analyze the written word
Ability to write in an articulate manner
Ability to research and explain the results
Working knowledge of grammar and vocabulary
Ability to be a creative thinker
Ability to critically observe the world around them
Ability to effectively communicate by listening to and questioning data
Related Articles
Useful Links
- An English Degree Can Translate Into Opportunity
Why don't you major in something useful? Do you actually expect to get a job with that? - Online English Degrees | Literature & Poetry Degree Programs - eLearners.com
Interested in an accredited online degree in english, poetry, writing or literature? If so, you're in the right place! Search online english degrees offered by fully accredited online college and university programs at eLearners.com. - Careers with an English Degree, A&S Perspectives newsletter, Winter-Spring 2006
- Careers for English Majors
- "Working Your Degree:" English - Sep. 1, 2000
Sure, you can write a poem in iambic pentameter and recite the prose of 17th century literary greats. - What Can I Do With An Undergraduate Degree in English - Career Resource Centre, U of Manitoba
The Career Resource Centre at the University of Manitoba provides occupational and educational information. Although some information is provided via the web, U of M students are encouraged to visit the office for additional assistance (474 Universit
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Good luck with earning your English degree. I'm sure you will find it useful.
I started as an English major, but realizing that it would make me a teacher--switched to Art History.
Didn't help. I became a teacher anyway.
My fascination with the English Language led to a degree in Literature and Writing. I know the common response when people learn you have an English degree--what can you do with it? Plenty, you've just given many options and clear list of what it can do for you. Personally, I think it will make a good jumping board into other fields.
Nicely done.
Good information. Nicely done. I feel empowered now!
Thank you very much for this article. English and Literature were my favorite subjects. I didn't know what you could do with your life if you majored in English besides being a writer.
We don’t choose to major in English, we’re born this way.
Having been an English major and wondering what else to do with it other than teach, I appreciate your list. Am glad I chose teaching though.
What a great hub! I always wanted to major in English but my mother always discouraged me; she said, "All you can do with that is teach." I guess mother doesn't always know best. My half-sister just graduated from high school Saturday and she is a beautiful writer but is unsure of majoring in English because of HER mother's "advice." I am going to share this with her tonight!
Annemarie, I am just a few classes away from my degree and continue to hear that an English degree provides a solid foundation for many careers. Good luck to you and your sister.
I intend to attend to some online schooling and acquire an english degree. Anyway thanks for your share.
Thanks for your opismedia and good luck.
I am an English learner. I was looking for articles about jobs that are available for people who have English degree. Thank you for sharing this article on the internet. I really appreciate your time in writing it. It widens my views on how I should use my expertise that I've got from studying English.
I'm getting ready to change my major to English. I first picked something with job security. I'm changing to something I love. I believe I've made the right decision.
Thank you for this wonderful article!
I've always loved reading, writing, and just sharing. Someone once advised me to not major in English because all I can ever do with that major is to teach students and edit papers. This year is my last year in high school. I'm planning to attend a liberal arts college because there is just so much to learn in this world! And my life is not long enough to learn everything. Mind-as-well spend my life understanding variety of things.
Amy, thanks for your comments. You should just go for whatever you want. There is a big world out there, just waiting to teach you interesting things.
English majors are, from what I have just read, very good at explaining what their degrees are good for.
You can also check out my guide for lost humanities students at selloutyoursoul.com...I just posted an interview about how English majors can become editors with a former Amazon.com editor...
i've just gonna started with my 2nd semester for my english majors..now it was just enhace me to do better in this course much more than before..i just love this language...english provides everything and express things in clear and comprehensive way!! :)
Just this morning I told my fiance that I wish someone had beat me with a stick when I said I had wanted to major in English. I graduated with my B.A. in English 3 years ago and accepted a job as an inside sales rep in the IT sales industry. (Not my first pick, but it was the highest offer I had at the time.)I am desperately looking to change my career path, having learned the hard way that I am not cut out for sales, but I feel trapped. This article has given me some hope that I can wander down another career path, leave my job and be happy. To anyone majoring in English in this economy, I would strongly encourage a minor in Business, or other secondary field. It might help to open a few doors down the road....
Amazing amount of info good job mate
Good luck
Luke
Amazing amount of info good job mate
Good luck
Luke
Thanks, Luke, I appreciate your comments.
I am currently on my last term of majoring English. I can clearly see that I really made the right decision 4 years ago. Many people often say, oh you will become a teacher, but I said no, not only a teacher. I can work in any field as long as English proficiency is related. MY ENGLISH PROFICIENCY IS MY BIG WEAPON,DEFENSE MECHANISM & ADEPTNESS UPON ENTERING THE REAL WORLD THAT NO ONE CAN TAKE AWAY FROM ME.
Thank you so much for making this very helpful website.
Thank you Aldrins Mallari and congratulations on earning your degree.
great information - but you might want to check how you spelled English in the line "Writer, Author, Journalist - A Natural with an Engllish degree (should be just one l, not two."
As a person with a degree in English, I applaud this hub! English majors can do so much more than teach.
I received my first degree in English, and yes, I wanted to teach. I thoroughly enjoyed teaching literature at the HS level and reading/English at the elem level. I don't regret a moment of it!
As language literacy drops in favor of technical literacy, the demand for people who can use written language effectively will increase greatly, I think. The ability to use written and spoken language well and correctly is still the mark of an educated person. (Yeah, yeah, I know: spoken like an English teacher! LOL)
after the 12th , now i am pursuing in BBA but i am having too much interest in english. plz guide me in which line i can go which is related to english.
Thanks for this. I'm about to start a BA with an English Major. Fingers crossed.
I'll be graduating w/ an English/Literature degree this May and I still don't know what I can do w/ it. The job fairs provided by my university were not any help. I can either be an elementary teacher or a high school teacher. And w/ a Maters, I can be an English professor. After this article, I knew I chose the correct degree path. I'm going to start looking for intern jobs in editing, film, business and maybe even continue my education in law! Thank you so very much.
It would be good to note that in order to become a librarian (in the U.S., at least) it is necessary to have a master's degree in library science (MLS, MSLS, or MLIS).
Most useless degree next to Sociology. I should've majored in French like I wanted to do!
Thank you for this article! My parents never liked the whole English major idea but I think they will perk up when they see this. I always said an English major can help me with law but they never believed me. Thank you for this!
Engish is an outstanding major;it's all about communication. Did you all take linquistics?
i am just about to start with my english degree,i was stressed that i had not made the right career choice but now i know it's the good one.
stay away from this degree people and do something more work related, this is a dead subject with its blinkers firmly set on teachers, writers don't need a degree, journalists do journalism as for the other jobs you'll find alot of competition. I love the subject but i'm sufferring with its adaptablity to the job market
This is for everyone who wants to put in their opinion... I am 20 year old going into my Sophomore year in college... I just recently changed my major to english, but I'm not sure exactly what I could do with it. I really love to write, but I'm not sure if I would enjoy writing for newspapers, and I don't want to be a teacher. I might enjoy some sort of journalism, possibly in media or news... something along those lines. But I'm a bit stuck. I love creative writing and art. Any suggestions on a more specific english major I should go for?? Thanks!
What other majors could I puruse if I wanted to be a writer for like television. I don't want to be a journalist, and my school doesn't have a screenwriting major. I also can't start majoring in english now because I'm way too far into my school's college of communications for that at still graudate in four years. Should I study journalism anyways? Communication studies?
I'm sorry but I agree with halfempty's quote: "stay away from this degree people and do something more work related..."
I too have a BA in English, and this degree is worthless unless you want to teach or pursue editing publications. Before receiving many rejection letters for editing positions (I even interned as an editor), I decided to leave the country and teach English overseas. After coming back to the US and being unemployed for 6 months, I am now pursuing my post baccalaureate certificate in paralegal studies.
CAUTION: One cannot be a librarian with solely a degree in English. An individual cannot work within a social service agency because these jobs want someone with a degree in social science. By the way, many people have a Masters degree in these fields, so an employer will not even look at your resume.
If you decide to be an editor, manage your portfolio online while in school. You cannot get a job in this field without a portfolio.
Needless to say, YOU MUST pair a BA in English with either a certificate in another field that you wish to pursue or you will need 2 degrees. If you don't take this advice, you will be working misc jobs that post as the following: "Bachelor Degree Required" or "Bachelor Degree Preferred." I have worked for these companies, and you might as well have not gone to college to work for these companies.
How do you get a job writing when they all want 5 years experience? Have even looked for internships to gain experience. Would be happy proof reading and even research work. Any suggestions would be appreciated!
"Needless to say, YOU MUST pair a BA in English with either a certificate in another field that you wish to pursue or you will need 2 degrees. If you don't take this advice, you will be working misc jobs that post as the following: "Bachelor Degree Required" or "Bachelor Degree Preferred." I have worked for these companies, and you might as well have not gone to college to work for these companies."
This is absolutely true and this is the bottom line when it comes to English majors. This should be printed at the top of the article.
Having a BA in English by itself these days is equal to not haveing a BA in English by itself.
You may have a slight advantage but to be honest it's so slight that it's negligible and you could easily be overlooked depending on how interviews go and how much experience others have. I think that experience is trumping education these days, and if you're trying to get started in a field, having a degree doesn't really help you because you're up against job seekers with tons of experience.
It's damn annoying because half the time you could be just as qualified for the position or overqualified but compared to someone with experience in the field, you're nothing.
Dion, that is absolutely NOT true. English is one of those degrees that can go a long way, but it is up to YOU to figure out how far it can go. I currently work in the public service sector with a non-profit organization. Because of my English degree I am able to convey -through written documentation -the purpose
of what the non-profit organization is trying to accomplish. I plan to pursue a masters degree in English with a concentration in professional and technical communication. I hope that by doing so I will be able to branch out further and work on writing grants to fund my organization. It is all in what your heart is set on. Who cares what typical people tell you? If YOU want to utilize your degree to write about, uh, I don't know trolls! =) Then by all means do it! (Not literally, but you get my point.) All that an English degree means is that you may have to dig a little deeper to find your nitch.
I am just starting to apply for uni for 2012. For me English Language is the most fascinating subject, and I am choosing it because I know I can really get my teeth into it, but I am with dion et al in that you need backup in order to make a career. I intend to going into a journalisty career, and so student newspapers, bulletins, radio etc. are a must for me. You cannot just rely on the degree however pretty it looks on a CV. Make sure you can prove that you can wield your degree like a flaming sword of witty menace. I salute anyone who chooses to study something they love.
I'm an English Major who is having serious doubts as well in completing a degree in this field. Although I thrive in the coursework,I no longer believe that this degree is respected or will reflect positively in the job market
cool will take onbourd
How closely related is a degree in Communication to one in English? I am one class away from earning a B.A. in Communication and Rhetoric and I want to become an English or Language Arts teacher. I chose to study communication after being encouraged to do so by my High School journalism teacher who was also an English teacher. I wish I would have asked him what his path was to teaching both disciplines. I am concerned that my communication background is not enough to make me a desirable candidate for teaching English. Are there any experiences that can be shared to help my situation? Thank you.
Check out the ebook How to Find a Career as a Humanities Major in 126 Days at Selloutyoursoul.com. It will help break down that big task of a career into daily actions.
Last Thursday, I graduatated with a Master's degree in English Language Arts. Just like others on here... I too am in search of a career other than teaching. Although I now have a Master's, people are looking for someone with experience instead of book work. Someone else had mentioned getting a business minor. Personally, I believe that is a great idea!! As of right now... I am branch manager at a title loan place. None of my degrees are helping me at all right now! I see them all as a waste of money at this point.
I selected on 12-16-2011, a young person with a recently-earned degree in English, and barely any work experience, to fill a position for which we had 600 applicants. It is an entry-level position providing telephone support, doing clerical tasks, public customer service & public education, and intense analytical administrative support to a team of three geographic information specialists. A panel of 3 (GIS) people had spent two weeks poring over the resumes. It was easy to eliminate half of the applications due to spelling and grammar issues. This applicants resume was noticed because she used complete sentences, proper spelling and grammar, and creatively elaborated upon how her achievements could translate to the work environment. We were looking for someone with attention to detail, analytical, who demonstrated initiative, and an above-average cognitive capability, with an exemplary customer service attitude. (None of these were mentioned in the job description). The applicant needed to present professionally (groomed), be amiable and helpful. We selected 6 to interview. Three of them did not do any research on the position. :( Not only did the final-selection candidate do research, practicing with key-terms flashcards, but she was engaging, and convinced me she would be receptive to me teaching her an entirely new career in geographic information systems, without a chip-on-her-shoulder of prideful indignation. I appreciate the well-rounded, intelligent, creative, enthusiastic young lady this English degree has produced.
I'll be completing my B.A. in English(Honors) by May next year. I want to pursue A legal career after it. Can I do this in Canada? If yes, then please mail a list of colleges offering the course to the following e-mail address:
tranquil.rish@gmail.com
English Literature makes me a good thinker and it makes me to feel proud in forming a the character being.
i wanted to become a lawyer but just because of poverty at home and they can't afford to pay for my course i ended up taking english(B.A) and i became an English teacher and i'm loving it.Later i will pursue my legal career path.
I have a Master of Arts in English and worked as an adjunct for the past two years. This degree is no longer valued. There aare practically no full-time teaching positions in colleges anymore so forget getting any benefits or having stable employment. Adjuncts like me have been being exploited for over thirty years now and we only get paid $2,000/per course. I spent over 60 hours a week and spent $75/per week driving to different colleges. I only made $24,000 in 2011 and spent at least $2,000 of it on gas.
Do not bother getting an MA in English unless you have someone paying all of your bills!
yea, stay away from the english degree unless you can handle falling back on teaching as a "plan b" option.
while it is possible to get jobs in these other positions, it is incredibly tough...nearly all jobs nowadays prefer experience over the degree anyway.
i "thought" i'd prove everyone who told me i could only teach with this degree...guess what? going back to school to get certified and become a teacher now...lol.
I'm a student at the University of Arizona and I'm currently a Journalism major. I have recently been considering changing my major to English for the opposite reasons I've red in the comments thus far. I actually very interested in teaching because I love the language and all it entails. From writing to reading I enjoy it all. Everyone seems to look down at teaching as a profession. I see it as a fulfilling, admirable career with a decent pay. As long as I make enough to keep clothes on my back, food in my mouth and a roof over my head, I will be happy to wake up everyday and teach what I love.
Yes, seem to be hearing that more and more.
I believe teachers are way undervalued. Good for you and for your future students who will benefit from your positive attitude.
Thank you so much for this page. It makes me feel excited that i'm going after my English creative writing BA now that i had the chance to see what i can do with it. Thank you, Thank you so much for this page.
Good luck with your degree.
Thank you! I wasted my first three years at university in a degree I didn't like. I ending up taking Special Studies at a different university, decided to major in English (general) and was accepted into second year last fall. I've been playing with the idea of applying for the Honours program as it would open up post-graduate opportunities but I don't want to be a professor/ teacher. Lately, I've been thinking more and more about editing and technical writing. Regardless of where I end up, I'm excited for where my English Degree is going to take me!
Thaks for an informative hub.
I am going to go abroad after class 12 [right now I am in class 6.] and get my masters degree in English. I was not really clear of what I shall do after that but after seeing this page my future has become clearer.
I am about to graduate with my English degree, and i spoke to an administrator at my school recently in hopes of figuring out my next step. I love English literature. It is important to realize that a masters in English is not much better than a bachelors degree, and not respected very much in the world of academia. A PhD is how to really maximize your chosen field, and after an average of 7 more years of schooling, and being hired as a college professor the first few years must be spent grueling away in research attempting to gain tenure. Its a long and hard route to being a successful English professor, say goodbye to the next 10 years of your life should you choose this path. On a lighter note, imagine how much smarter you'll be in the end.
i want to be a teacher how do i go about getting a job with a ba in english
Julia...you simply need certification. Check into your states requirements for certifications.
English is such a happening course for those who have passion for the subject.
I am thinking of seriously taking up English as my major. Having degree in journalism, I would like to explore the world of English language.
Do what you like..!! :) Be great in what you do and I am sure you will end up with the job that interests and as well pay you enough.
There is only a thin line of difference between English and communication studies. so you can switch places. Hope this helps ppl who are cornered.. Regards!
Dolores Monet 2 years ago
The great thing about English majors is they chose that major because they love language and the written word. The ability to communicate effectivly through writing has suffred in recent years so and English major should have plenty of opportunity.