Career Paths for English Majors
What do English Majors Do?
Writing and Editing
- Creative Writing
- Books
- Poetry
- Plays
- Screenplays
- Scripts
- Greeting Cards
- Lyrics/Jingle Writing
- Journalism
- Writing/Reporting
- Editing
- Technical Writing
- Science and Medical Writing
- Freelance Writing
- Newspapers
- Magazines
- Broadcast media companies including television, radio, and the movie industry
- Trade, professional, or consumer publications
- Internet sites
- Large corporations
- Government agencies including:
- Department of Homeland Security
- Department of Defense
- Department of State
- Veterans Affairs
- National Archives and Records Admin.
- Universities and university presses
- Technical industries
- Self-employed/Freelance
How to Prepare for Writing & Editing Careers
- Select elective coursework in a particular area of interest.
- Write for campus publications such as college newspapers, magazines, or departmental or program newsletters.
- Volunteer to assist or tutor students in a writing center.
- For technical writing positions obtain a concentration in technical writing. Take science and/or computer courses to gain knowledge about technical areas and trends.
- Become familiar with the proposal writing and submission process involved in freelance writing.
- Gain as much experience as possible through volunteer positions, internships, or part-time jobs.
- Demonstrate patience and persistence in starting a career in creative writing.
Education Careers
- Teaching
- Administration
- Student Affairs
- Academic Advising
- Information/Library Science
- Non-classroom Teaching
- Tutoring
- English as a Second Language (ESL)
- Public schools
- Private schools
- Colleges and universities
- Language institutes, local and abroad
- Libraries
- Museums
- Private learning centers
- Test preparation organizations
- Nonprofit organizations involved with literacy
How to Prepare for Education Careers
- Obtain appropriate state certification for public school teaching. Earn certifications to teach multiple subjects or age groups for increased job opportunities.
- Earn a master's or doctorate degree for post-secondary teaching. Maintain a high grade point average and secure strong faculty recommendations for graduate school.
- Plan to attend graduate school in college student personnel or information science for those fields.
- Seek volunteer experiences working with children through Big Brother/Sister programs, tutoring, summer camps, YMCA's, etc.
- Participate in activities such as debate or literary clubs, campus publications, or student government.
- Get involved in roles of leadership such as resident advisor, peer mentor, student adviser, etc.
Publishing Careers
- Editing
- Advertising
- Sales
- Circulation
- Production
- Publicity
- Marketing
- Promotion
- Administration
- Trade publishing
- Special interest magazines
- Trade magazines
- Association magazines
- Sunday newspaper supplements
- Educational publishing
- Religious books and magazines
- Professional and scholarly publishing
- University presses
- Independent publishers
- Alternative media publishers including:
- E-books
- Audiobooks
How to Prepare for Publishing Careers
- Obtain an internship in the publishing industry.
- Participate in a summer publishing institute.
- Develop word processing, editing, and desktop publishing skills; build additional technical skills if working in an online environment.
- Gain experience by writing for student publications such as the newspaper, creative writing magazines, the yearbook, etc.
- Conduct an informational interview with or shadow a professional in the publishing industry.
- Look for positions with local dailies and alternative weeklies in the community.
- Volunteer to write or edit publications with local nonprofit organizations to gain experience.
- Develop extensive grammar and language skills.
- Be prepared to relocate to cities with a publishing presence. A large majority of opportunities exist in New York City.
- Research the publishing industry to learn more about career ladders.
Advertising Careers
- Creative Services
- Copy Writing
- Art Direction
- Account Management
- Media
- Account Planning
- Production
- Advertising agencies
- In-house agencies of large companies
How to Prepare for Advertising Careers
- Demonstrate talent, persistence, assertiveness, and enthusiasm.
- Be prepared to start in an entry-level position.
- Obtain strong statistics background for market research positions.
- Create a portfolio of writing showing originality and imagination for creative positions.
- Gain knowledge of various media, contemporary tastes, and trends.
- Obtain experience with campus newspaper, TV, or radio.
- Participate in sales and promotions for student organizations or private businesses.
- Complete an internship in a market research firm or advertising agency.
- Supplement curriculum with courses in business (marketing, economics, mathematics), art, or graphic design.
Public Relations Careers
- Account Coordination
- Writing/Editing
- Media Relations
- Account Management
- Public relations firms
- Advertising agencies
- In-house public relations departments
- Trade associations
- Colleges and universities
- Nonprofit organizations
- Government agencies
How to Prepare for Public Relation Careers
- Obtain internship or other relevant work experience to break into this field. Be prepared to start at the bottom and work towards higher levels.
- Develop strong research skills, public speaking ability, enthusiasm, and interpersonal skills.
- Supplement curriculum with business courses.
- Become an effective team member by working on group projects for campus organizations.
- Volunteer to write publications for nonprofit or student organizations.
Business Careers
- Management
- Sales
- Marketing
- Human Resources
- Insurance
- Claims
- Underwriting
- Business organizations including banks, real estate agencies, insurance firms, and large and small corporations
- Retailers including department, grocery, drug, specialty, variety, and book stores
How to Prepare for Business Careers
- Obtain a business minor.
- Gain relevant experience through part-time jobs, internships, or volunteer work.
- Secure leadership roles in campus organizations and student professional associations.
- Seek experience as a financial officer or treasurer of a campus organization.
- Develop strong analytical and computer skills.
Law and Legal Careers
- Law Assistance
- Prosecution
- Defense
- Contractual
- Corporate
- Nonprofit or Public Interest
- Government
- Mediation
- Lobbying
- Law firms
- Government agencies
- State and local government
- Corporations
- Public interest organizations
- Private practice
- Colleges and universities
How to Prepare for Legal Careers
- Participate in a debate or forensic team to hone communication skills.
- Develop strong research skills and attention to detail.
- Take courses in and gain experience with mediation and conflict resolution.
- Get involved with pre-law organizations.
- Obtain a summer or part-time job in a law firm.
- Plan to shadow an attorney to learn more about the field and various specialties.
- Complete special training requirements for paralegal positions.
- Attend law school and earn a JD to become an attorney. Maintain an excellent grade point average and secure strong faculty recommendations to gain law school admittance. Plan to take the LSAT.