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What jobs could I get with an English degree?
I like English, but other than writing books or articles, what else can I do? Would this be a degree that I have lots of options for my future?
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Emma’s Answer
Hi Isabella...
It was nice to read your question. It's great that you're asking about potential career paths with an English degree! There's so much to explore beyond traditional writing roles.
With an English degree, you have a wide range of career options beyond just writing books or articles. You could pursue roles in editing and publishing, where you work on refining and preparing written content for publication. Teaching is another popular path, either as an English teacher or by specializing in areas like English as a Second Language (ESL) or literacy education.
You could also explore careers in marketing and communications, where your writing skills are highly valued for creating compelling content for businesses or organizations.
Additionally, fields such as public relations, content writing for digital platforms, copywriting, technical writing, and grant writing are all areas where your English degree and writing abilities would be beneficial. So yes, an English degree offers a lot of flexibility and opportunities for your future career!
I hope you find the information you're looking for here! If you have any more questions or need further guidance, feel free to ask.
It was nice to read your question. It's great that you're asking about potential career paths with an English degree! There's so much to explore beyond traditional writing roles.
With an English degree, you have a wide range of career options beyond just writing books or articles. You could pursue roles in editing and publishing, where you work on refining and preparing written content for publication. Teaching is another popular path, either as an English teacher or by specializing in areas like English as a Second Language (ESL) or literacy education.
You could also explore careers in marketing and communications, where your writing skills are highly valued for creating compelling content for businesses or organizations.
Additionally, fields such as public relations, content writing for digital platforms, copywriting, technical writing, and grant writing are all areas where your English degree and writing abilities would be beneficial. So yes, an English degree offers a lot of flexibility and opportunities for your future career!
I hope you find the information you're looking for here! If you have any more questions or need further guidance, feel free to ask.
Updated
Trimmier’s Answer
Hello Isabella, it's a pleasure to meet you! It's fantastic that you share a passion for English, a subject I also adored during my school years. Besides writing, have you ever thought about pursuing a career in teaching? You could inspire students with your love for English, either here in the US or even overseas, which could also fulfill any desires you may have to travel. However, if the daily routine of teaching doesn't appeal to you, why not contemplate a career as a librarian? This would provide a unique avenue to share your love for reading and writing, and introduce others to the subject that you hold dear.
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Nik’s Answer
Hello Isabella! I have an English degree. Specifically mine was English Literature. While I have worked as a writer crafting articles for newspapers and newsletters, as well as screenplays and novels, I also worked as a communications director for a church. This allowed me to use my writing skills to develop and share messages about the organization through a variety of channels -- mailings, spoken messages, videos, social media, etc. It is my understanding that many types of organizations employ communications directors. It might a route for you to pursue. Have fun.
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Sarah’s Answer
Hi Isabella!
The great thing about being an English major is that you can get a job almost anywhere! In today's world, we are always using English in the workplace. From emails to co-workers and clients, to writing work orders, to even writing social media posts! English is everywhere! An English degree is one of the best degrees you could have because employers will look at that and know that you are well-versed in all kinds of writing!
If there's one thing I recommend, it's to try and take professional writing courses at your university if you can! I have taken a couple in my time at university and it has been incredibly beneficial!
The great thing about being an English major is that you can get a job almost anywhere! In today's world, we are always using English in the workplace. From emails to co-workers and clients, to writing work orders, to even writing social media posts! English is everywhere! An English degree is one of the best degrees you could have because employers will look at that and know that you are well-versed in all kinds of writing!
If there's one thing I recommend, it's to try and take professional writing courses at your university if you can! I have taken a couple in my time at university and it has been incredibly beneficial!
Thomas O'Shea
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Thomas’s Answer
Obviously I'm not the best person to be answering this, but I am a BIG advocate for looking at places you wouldn't have thought of to make money with your degree. You can write for tv shows, movies, or musicals/ plays. You could continue your education and teach college. You could start a media site or apply to join one and write news, pop culture, or any topic you're interested in.
I would say you should see what you enjoy most about your English degree and continue doing that.
I would say you should see what you enjoy most about your English degree and continue doing that.
Updated
Nicole’s Answer
Hi Isabella! You absolutely have options to pursue a successful career with an English degree.
Others have mentioned great options, and I'll add that Technical Writing may be another career that you could choose to pursue.
I'm a Technical Writer for a software company and I love that I have the chance to use my skills in English while learning about Technology. Many companies need Technical Writers outside of the Software industry too, so depending on what you're interested in, you may be able to learn about a couple of things that interest you.
Some responsibilities of a Technical Writer may include creating:
* Release note documentation for new features that the company is delivering.
* Help documentation that provides step-by-step instructions to walk through the new features.
* API documentation for developers.
* User interface text to help customers on screen.
* Video content and scripts.
Others have mentioned great options, and I'll add that Technical Writing may be another career that you could choose to pursue.
I'm a Technical Writer for a software company and I love that I have the chance to use my skills in English while learning about Technology. Many companies need Technical Writers outside of the Software industry too, so depending on what you're interested in, you may be able to learn about a couple of things that interest you.
Some responsibilities of a Technical Writer may include creating:
* Release note documentation for new features that the company is delivering.
* Help documentation that provides step-by-step instructions to walk through the new features.
* API documentation for developers.
* User interface text to help customers on screen.
* Video content and scripts.
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Nanyanga’s Answer
You could write poems if you were taught literature and poetic devices. You could become an English historian. You could become an English translator if you know other languages. I personally know an English teacher that was a deputy headteacher, and then became a manager of an insurance company. He also studied English.
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Eugene’s Answer
The career door is wide open with an English degree. If you want to stay within the realm relevant to your degree, you can:
- Teach! - There are the obvious paths like teaching in public schools or colleges, but there are plenty of opportunities to teach in adult education programs or for nonprofit organizations like Teach for America. Additionally, you can find teaching fellowships that will pay for the necessary certificates to teach in exchange for teaching a certain number of hours for that organization
- Write! - This is a constantly evolving landscape so the typical career paths for "professional" writers varies greatly. If you are interested in journalism or writing for a magazine, you can start with an internship at a publication. Additionally, you can chart your own course and submit freelancer articles to publications looking for the content you are producing. Marketing agencies are always looking for copywriters to produce content for the various companies and organizations they represent. And like has been mentioned, you can become a technical writer, producing specific industry documents. Of course, writing novels is always on the table, but that is something you will need to pursue independently--writing your own books and submitting them to agents/publishers or self-publishing them yourself
- Explore other interests! - You'll find that a lot of English majors end up in fields they weren't expecting. This could be technology, law, medicine, construction, plumbing, etc. Most jobs these days are less interested in what your bachelor degree is and more interested in the professional experience you have. A college degree is a requirement for a majority of high-paying jobs; however, you will not be disqualified from opportunities if your degree is in English. Don't be afraid to explore other industries. This can be liberating in a way because English-centric professions run the risk of burnout. You might not love reading or writing as much if it becomes a part of your daily job. But if you do something completely unrelated that doesn't take up too much of your time, you will have plenty of your days and weekends leftover to pursue all the things that made you become an English major in the first place.
- Teach! - There are the obvious paths like teaching in public schools or colleges, but there are plenty of opportunities to teach in adult education programs or for nonprofit organizations like Teach for America. Additionally, you can find teaching fellowships that will pay for the necessary certificates to teach in exchange for teaching a certain number of hours for that organization
- Write! - This is a constantly evolving landscape so the typical career paths for "professional" writers varies greatly. If you are interested in journalism or writing for a magazine, you can start with an internship at a publication. Additionally, you can chart your own course and submit freelancer articles to publications looking for the content you are producing. Marketing agencies are always looking for copywriters to produce content for the various companies and organizations they represent. And like has been mentioned, you can become a technical writer, producing specific industry documents. Of course, writing novels is always on the table, but that is something you will need to pursue independently--writing your own books and submitting them to agents/publishers or self-publishing them yourself
- Explore other interests! - You'll find that a lot of English majors end up in fields they weren't expecting. This could be technology, law, medicine, construction, plumbing, etc. Most jobs these days are less interested in what your bachelor degree is and more interested in the professional experience you have. A college degree is a requirement for a majority of high-paying jobs; however, you will not be disqualified from opportunities if your degree is in English. Don't be afraid to explore other industries. This can be liberating in a way because English-centric professions run the risk of burnout. You might not love reading or writing as much if it becomes a part of your daily job. But if you do something completely unrelated that doesn't take up too much of your time, you will have plenty of your days and weekends leftover to pursue all the things that made you become an English major in the first place.