English Major Jobs

Did you know that good reading, writing, and thinking skills are the number 1 job expectation of ANY employer, in ANY discipline?

Lots of English majors do not know for certain what they want to do when they graduate. But English majors are successful in all kinds of fields. They are also flexible, able to adapt as market needs change. The list below is designed to give you ideas and strategies for thinking about future careers.
One advantage of the English BA is that it lets you minor in a second field, in order to fine-tune your post-graduation job prospects.
With a little advance notice, we can find you an internship or professional development opportunity to help you gain experience in your prospective field of interest. Talk with your advisor, or the department head if you want help arranging this!
Even though they have no "single" path from college-major to career, English majors are employable and sought-after. In fact, English majors have the highest average starting salaries of any field in the humanities.

What can I do with an English major?

ADVERTISING

Creative
Media
Research

Employers:

Advertising agencies; in-house agencies of large companies

Strategies and Preparation:

Demonstrate talent, persistence, assertiveness, and enthusiasm
Be prepared to start in an entry-level position
Obtain strong statistics background for market research positions
Develop a portfolio of writing and ideas showing originality and imagination for creative or advertising positions
Gain knowledge of various media, contemporary tastes, and trends
Obtain campus newspaper, TV, or radio experience
Participate in sales and promotions in student organizations or private businesses
Complete an internship in a market research firm or advertising agency
Supplement curriculum with courses in business, art, or graphic design

BUSINESS/INDUSTRY

Management
Sales
Marketing
Human Resources
Insurance claims and underwriting

Employers:

Business organizations including banks, real estate agencies, insurance firms, and large and small corporations. Retailers including department, grocery, drug, specialty, variety, and bookstores.

Strategies and Preparation:

Obtain a business minor
Gain work experience through part-time jobs, internships, or relevant volunteer work
Secure leadership roles in campus organizations, such as ROGERS LEAD WT
Join student professional associations
Develop strong analytical and computer skills
Gain experience as financial officer or treasurer of a campus organization

EDUCATION

Employers:

Museums
Libraries
Public schools
Private schools
Colleges and universities
Private learning centers

Strategies and Preparation:

Acquire computer skills
Gain volunteer experience with Big Brother/Sister program, tutoring, sports, summer camps, teen counseling, child care centers, or with other special populations
Participate in school activities such as debate, literary clubs, campus publications, student government, alumni relations, and admissions
Find an internship involved in non-profits that interest you for museum work
Obtain appropriate state certification for public school teaching
Earn certification to teach multiple subjects/age groups for increased job opportunities
A graduate degree is required for virtually all post-secondary teaching, dual-credit courses, or honors courses

LAW

Lawyers
Paralegals

Employers:

Law firms
Corporate legal departments
Government agencies
Public service agencies

Strategies and Preparation:

Develop strong organizational skills and attention to detail
Become skillful in debate and public speaking
Organize campus events, speakers, or political rallies
Obtain summer or part-time work in a law firm
Complete special training requirements for paralegal positions
Attend law school and earn a law degree to become an attorney

POLITICS

Speech writing
Web editing

Employers:

Political Campaigns
Business and industry leaders

Strategies and Preparation:

Political Internships for summer or school year
Join student government
Volunteer for a campaign
Organize campus events, speakers, or political rallies
Develop debate and public speaking skills
Read the newspaper and write for the Prairie campus newspaper or other local newspapers

PUBLIC RELATIONS

Research
Writing
Editing
Media

Employers:

Public relations firms
Advertising agencies
In-house public relations departments
Trade associations
Colleges and universities
Non-profit organizations
Government agencies

Strategies and Preparation:

Obtain internship or other relevant work experience
Develop strong research skills, public speaking ability, enthusiasm, and interpersonal skills
Consider becoming an RA, or a tour guide for campus
Supplement curriculum with business courses
Become an effective team member by working on group projects for campus organizations

PUBLISHING

Advertising
Sales
Editing
Circulation
Production
Publicity

Employers:

Special interest magazines and web sites
Trade magazines
Associational and organizational magazines
Sunday newspaper supplements
Educational and professional books
Religious books and magazines
Other book publishers

Strategies and Preparation:

Work on publishing Legacy, Tracks, or the Prairie
Join Sigma Tau Delta honors society
Obtain summer internship in an area of the publishing industry (we have these especially through Sigma Tau Delta)
Participate in summer publishing institutes
Develop word processing and editing skills
Work as a Writing Center Tutor
Conduct informal interviews with or shadow a professional in the publishing industry

WRITING

Creative Writing
Journalism
Free-lance writing
Technical Writing
Grant writing
Editing

Employers:

Newspapers
Magazines
Web sites
Broadcast media companies, including television and movie industry
Trade, professional, or consumer publications
Internet sites
Advertising agencies
Large corporations
Government agencies
Colleges and universities
Technical industries

Strategies and Preparation:

Select coursework relevant to your particular area of interest—many opportunities will expect that you have a particular area of interest suitable to their forum
Create a regular blog that demonstrates your abilities and that you would be proud to show prospective employers
Write for campus publications, such as college newspapers, magazines or departmental/program newsletters.Develop speaking and debate skills
Volunteer to assist or tutor students at the Writing Center
For technical writing positions, concentrate on tech writing courses
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
Try your hand at grant writing

For more information, speak with your advisor, make an appointment with your advisor, or the Department Head of EPML, or drop by our WT Career Center for help imagining the possibilities!