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Career Opportunities with a Major in English

Many jobs require a college educated individual. College graduates can use their education in a wide variety of occupations.

English is a major branch of the language arts and its main focus is on the written word. The appropriate use and understanding of English is considered basic to the American way of life and reflects a person's level of educational achievement. Students who elect either the elementary or secondary emphasis of the English major will be prepared for teaching at those levels. English majors and minors in any emphasis are valued because of their communication skills and their knowledge of the language. Possible career paths include writing, editing, and publishing; teaching; advertising and public relations; and business administration and management. The discipline also prepares students for graduate study in English and a variety of other fields, including law and business administration.

 

SKILLS RELATED TO ENGLISH

  • Ability to read and write articulately and analytically

  • Comprehensive command of grammar and vocabulary

  • Good listening, clarifying, questioning, and responding skills

  • Ability to work well under pressure

  • Ability to conduct and clearly explain research results

  • Ability to concentrate for long periods of time

  • Ability to make critical observations

  • Good at organizing ideas, material, and people

The following list is a representative sample of job titles for individuals with an English major. The list represents some, but certainly not all, careers which English majors may consider.

Some of these jobs also require education beyond a bachelor's degree.

Advertising Announcer, TV/radio Author
Bibliographer Biographer Bookstore Manager/Owner
Public Relations Consumer Public Relations Editor/Writer
Freelance Writer Interpreter/Translator News Analyst/Reporter/Correspondent
Lawyer Librarian Linguist
Marketing Media Specialist Promotions
Playwright Proofreader Desktop Publisher
Researcher Sales Manager Speech Writer
Teacher Technical Writer Textbook Writer
Travel Agent University Administrator

 

EMPLOYERS IN ENGLISH

  • Advertising Agencies

  • Bookstores

  • Colleges/Universities

  • Communication Firms

  • Film Companies

  • Fund-Raising Firms

  • Government Agencies

  • Insurance Companies

  • Internet Companies

  • Magazines

  • Newspapers

  • Personnel Departments

  • Professional Journals

  • Public Relations Firms

  • Publishing Firms

  • Radio/TV Industry

  • Research/Development Firms

  • Travel Agencies

 

WEB SITES RELATED TO ENGLISH

Metro State English Department Website

 

PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS IN THIS FIELD

The above information is collected from alumni surveys of numerous colleges, professional associations, and multiple print and online resources.