Focus on Majors: English

Majoring in English can open up pathways to new fields of knowledge, exciting academic opportunities, and a variety of career options. Although many discount English as being too general and less vocational of a major, the flexibility that it offers in terms of job opportunities is broad and plentiful.

In the age of technological growth, it is easy to discount the relevance of English in our world. However, English-related domains are all around us. We are constantly reading on our devices and tablets, hearing stories passed on from family and friends, and even writing birthday cards to our loved ones. There are so many skills that English majors focus on during their studies that contribute to our daily lives in ways we are not always aware of.

Furthermore, the English major can open doors to a plethora of career options. Not only do these careers include writing and teaching, but there are also many opportunities for English majors in the world of technology. Our society’s demand for high-tech and science-related ventures should in fact encourage English majors.

Careers that English majors pursue include technical writing, journalism, editing, and creative advertising. Technical writers craft user manuals, instruction guides, and other technical documents. Journalists and news reporters investigate and write articles for news outlets such as online newspapers, television stations, and print newspapers. Managing editors run news departments, with recent job growth occurring in online forums for those possessing a strong knowledge of web design and electronic publishing methods. Those who work in creative advertising are responsible for coming up with new ways to launch products and write advertising material.

Writers can find work in a variety of fields. Direct response copywriting involves writing fundraising letters, business offers, and other mail-based marketing. Grant and proposal writers develop applications and informational materials for organizations seeking funding. Freelance writers work for magazines, newsletters, and websites. Writers also create material for the media.

English majors can also pursue PR roles in private companies or the government to shape their image through media. Press secretaries are employed by government agencies to inform the public about the agency’s activities, work on political campaigns, and write press releases.

Students interested in becoming professors and teaching college-level English should plan on pursuing a PhD, which takes approximately five to nine years. Teaching at the high school level requires a bachelor’s degree plus a teaching certificate, which takes one to two years if it is not included in an undergraduate degree program.

While course offerings vary amongst universities, English majors can expect to take classes in English, American Literature, creative writing, and history. Different genres, historical periods, and international literary works may also be covered. The English major can be paired with numerous concentrations and other majors/minors, such as linguistics, communications, business, and marketing.

A degree in English prepares students for graduate studies, as well as careers in business, communication, and education. Gaining real-world experience, through an internship or volunteer position, will help you decide what career paths you want to explore. The skills you acquire while pursuing this degree are invaluable to any future job.

Photo by Polina Tankilevitch: https://www.pexels.com/photo/blue-pink-and-orange-sticky-notes-6929348/