“What are you going to do with a degree in English? What
sort of job are you going to get? Are you going to be a teacher?”
Even though I had heard all these questions before, they
were constantly on my mind during the final semesters of my bachelor’s program
in English. They may have crossed your mind, too. I’m here to tell you: that’s
normal! In fact, these questions probably should
be on your mind, since you’ve been working so hard for your degree and want to
put it into action. But how do we put an English degree into action?
Many people assume—we all know the phrase about what
“assume” makes us, don’t we?—that students who major in English are limited in their
career options. They hear “English major” and think “teacher.” That’s simply
not the case! While teaching English can be very rewarding, it isn’t for
everyone—and it certainly isn’t the only career option for students pursuing degrees
in English.
We, as English majors, spend much of our time reading,
writing, and thinking about texts, which gives us a very special skillset. We
are highly attentive to minute details. We are very strong at communicating. We
know how to edit and revise quickly and effectively. Most of all, because our
work as English majors includes so many different styles of writing and
thinking, we are able to stay flexible and adapt to any situation that arises.
Our skills prepare us for careers in any number of fields! I
have personally worked in management positions in: hospitality, contracting, food
service, and higher education. Although each of my positions has been different,
the skills I developed as an English major have been useful in every single one
of them.
Each of these positions has required effective communication:
reading and analyzing materials for accuracy, giving employees clear
instructions and feedback, and thinking quickly and logically—the same skills
one develops as an English major.
Even in positions that aren’t writing or English-based, the
skills you develop as an English major are still useful. Whether you’re
drafting a cover letter for a job application or you’ve been on the job for 25
years, writing and thinking clearly and efficiently will always help you.
Life is short. Don’t spend it on a job you don’t like. Maybe
you’ll find something you love right away, or maybe you’ll explore several different
career fields, as I did. Working in different fields helped me understand what
I wanted to pursue. In the end, I realized that I enjoyed writing, research,
and helping others, so I decided on the academic route, teaching English at the
collegiate level. (I guess that after all this time, my answer to “Are you
going to be a teacher?” is “Yes.” Go figure!)
What can you do with an English major? You could ask Clarence
Thomas, Supreme Court Justice, who was an English major. So were Steven
Spielberg, Emma Watson, and Conan O’Brien. Some English majors have gone on to
be professional writers, editors, and publishers. Some have become leaders of companies
across various industries. Some work in the public sector, aiming to improve the
lives of others. Some are lawyers, some work in advertising, and some, like
Sally Ride, are astronauts. Any career you can think of usually has at least
one famous English major.
And, of course, some become teachers.
Whatever your personal preferences and goals—always keep
those in mind—an English major can help open the door for you.
Take a look at the following pages to see a few more
examples on the possibilities that exist and may await you!
Sarah Young, English
Instructor
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