Dear English majors,
I get it. You're tired of telling people your major and getting the dreaded response: "Oh, it's so great that you want to be a teacher!" *Sigh*
While teaching English is a wonderful profession, the fact that it's the assumed profession of all English majors is unfortunate. There are many professions that require the ability to critically think about readings and communicate clearly. Many people don't think about these professions as being the end result of an English degree, but it is important to note the contributions English majors can make outside the classroom. Here are ten alternative professions for English majors:
1. Journalism
Newspapers, magazines, and more! Journalists get the hard-hitting news and tell people all about it. As a journalist, you need to be able to think fast and write even faster.
2. Copywriting
Writing for ads and marketing is copywriting. If a company needs their brand advertised, you write the ads.
3. Editing
Editing can take place in book publishing, magazine publishing, and beyond. People make mistakes, and you're there to catch them when they do.
4. Technical Writing
Technical writing takes a lot of skill. These writers look at situations and products in great detail and break things down so anyone can understand them. They make the complex simple.
5. Author
This is by far the hardest profession to make money in. Being an author,, while rewarding and fun, often does not guarantee a steady income. Nevertheless, it is every writer's dream to see their work in print.
6. Professional Blogger
Blogging is not just for hipster homeschooling moms drinking cold brew out of mason jars. You can blog for companies, or make money as a freelance blogger too!
7. Social Media Manager
Most companies nowadays couldn't exist without social media platforms. That's where a clear communicator with technology skills comes into play. If you can convince someone to buy your company's product in just a couple of tweets, you're in.
8. Television Writer
Everyone (ok, most people) love television; finding a new favorite Netflix show to binge-watch gets people excited. So why not write the next best Netflix hit? Once again, this is a tough business to get into, but an English degree certainly helps!
9. Reporter
Not only will your English major teach you how to write clearly, but also to speak clearly. Being a reporter combines journalism and public speaking, allowing you to report the news to the world clearly.
10. Public Relations
Similar to blogging or being a social media manager, working in PR requires good communication skills in order to represent your company well and market their product to the community and beyond!
All in all, English majors can do a lot. Do not fear fellow English majors, you have options. Lots of options.
