“I’m an English major” “Oh! So you wanna teach?”

You’d think that English majors spend most of their time reading and writing, and while that is true, we actually spend a majority of time answering the “So you wanna teach?” question.

I admire teachers and education majors. A small part of me will always want to be a teacher, but I learned quickly that teaching wasn’t my path. So when I get asked the question “What is your major” I honestly suck in my breath, because I know what the response is going to be.

No I don’t want to teach. There is so much more to an English major than just teaching, reading, and writing. In fact we English major can do anything. Here, I’ll show you.

LAW

Not only do Lawyers pay close attention to detail, they write. English majors write. It’s very possible for English major to go on and pursue careers in Law. English majors spend a huge amount of their time learning how to write argumentatively - that alone would put anyone ahead of the game when entering Law school.

Also most English classes are small and based around discussion. This gives a potential lawyer a good time to practice verbal debating. The skills an English major learns in the classroom could be put to good use in a courtroom.

BUSINESS

While studying English, the student learns to think and write analytically and learns to verbally communicate successfully. Though they learn about literature and not *insert business term here*, the skills an Undergraduate English major learns are essential to becoming a great business person.

A degree in English can prepare an aspiring business person to the world that is business. One thing that makes a great business person is leadership - and a good leader is able to listen and analyze different opinions while also remaining firm in their own. Years of small class discussion while obtaining an English degree can easily help with this aspect.

PUBLISHING

English majors learn exactly what makes a good piece of literature; the writing style, what great works of literature have in common, and what great works differ in. Those with an English degree would be able to apply their knowledge of great works to produce other content that is well written and marketable.

There are many divisions of Publishing; editing, marketing, and legal just to name a few. Years of reading, discussion, and analyzing great works can prepare any English major for a publishing job. The publishing industry also covers more than just books, it covers magazine and newspapers and even online sources.

ENTERTAINMENT

English majors are not only taught how to analytically read and write but are taught to understand the motivations. Whether it be the motivations of the author or of the characters, English majors are taught to properly understand them. Learning how to relate to a general audience is what makes a great entertainer.

There is more to Entertainment than being an actor. Entertainment consists of script writers, authors, and movie editors. Any of these entertainment careers, and the dozens more that are offered, are easily applicable to an English major. A strong emotional writing ability will easily help those English majors who decide to pursue a career in the Entertainment field.

PUBLIC RELATIONS

Those in Public Relations tell compelling stories about their clients or colleagues that capture the attention of the media and public. English majors are taught to creatively write and develop a sense for storytelling, making them a perfect fit for anything Public Relations wise.

English majors must learn how to organize and manage their workloads properly which is also essential when working in Public Relations.

There you have it! Five amazing career paths for English majors, and there are so many more.