So, you have just graduated with an English degree. Despite common belief, you have the world as your oyster. There are hundreds of different jobs that an English degree qualifies you for. Some jobs are more obvious than others, but you might be surprised by the plethora of opportunities. English majors focus heavily on analysis and writing. Employers really need these skills in the work force, so you are already ahead of the game. Listed below is a list compiled of a few career paths for English majors.
Teacher
This is the most obvious answer for English majors. In fact, most people assume this is all you can do with an English degree. However, teachers are an incredibly important part of society as a whole. The reality is we need teachers. Being a teacher typically requires a fifth year of college or taking the correct tests and certifications. Teaching is a really rewarding experience and many people enjoy helping others learn.
Editor
There are many different types of editors: magazine, website, copy editors, etc. These jobs all essentially do the same thing: edit. They take other's work and look for grammar errors, inconsistency in perspective, structure, flow, etc. Many people find this to be a lot more fun than it sounds. It is a very technical job that requires a real sense for the English language.
Publisher
Publishing companies have many different jobs, but someone has to oversee all these different faucets. That is where publishers come in. Publishers make sure everything from design to editing is staying on schedule with the publication date. They set specific dates for everything within publishing a book and keep everything in order.
Lawyer
You can be a lawyer with any degree, but admissions to law schools seem to prefer English majors. Lawyers do a lot of writing and reading, so it makes sense that an English major would have an edge in this field. There are infinitely many different types of lawyers, but that is what makes it great. Everyone is able to find the right path for them with so many options.
Doctor
You can also be a doctor with any degree; you just either need to take the prerequisites for med school during your time at college or do a post-bacc program. Being a doctor is one of the of the most rewarding experiences out there. Med-school does take a lot of time, money, and energy (not to mention a long residency) but for many people it is worth it. Doctors help others and give up a lot of their time to do it. It is a truly selfless job.
Screenwriter
Someone has to write all those Oscar winners. A screenwriter is pretty self-explanatory: they write scripts. This can be for skits, shows, or movies. This is super creative and fun job; however, it can be hard to break into this industry. Don't let that deter you if you feel passionately about this career though. You know what they say "Aim for the moon. If you miss, you'll land among the stars."
Librarian
Libraries may be a dying breed, but they are still important, and we need librarians to run them. There are library courses you can take, depending on your state, to get certification to be a librarian. This is a very laid-back job that keeps you surrounded by books all day long.
Journalist
Journalists consist of print, broadcast, and online (for the most part). Luckily, a lot of these overlap with each other thanks to the modern age of technology. It is a well-known fact that most journalists do not make much money. However, journalists are passionate about something. For some, that passion is enough to replace the need for a higher paying job. It is also really fun and a great way to spark change.
Writer
Whether you prefer poems or novels, a writer may be right for you. It is incredibly difficult to become a successful writer, but it is a great career if you can handle it. You have to deal with a lot of rejections and struggles before you will gain success; it takes a strong will to become a writer. You can write short stories and submit them to literary journals or online forums. It is a great outlet for creativity.
Public Relations Specialist
A PR rep keeps a good front for different companies and organizations. They handle bad publicity and try to manage any backlash. They also put out good publicity to help spread awareness of their company.
Ghost Writer
While I would not suggest this career, it is a reality. Ghost writers are people who write work for other people to take credit for. Ghost writers get paid handsomely for this. While it is not entirely ethical, it is a reality. There are ghost writers for novels, essays, proposals, anything that needs writing for.
Social Media Coordinator
Social media coordinators keep up the social media platforms for different corporations, businesses, organizations etc. They promote webinars, blogs, platforms that are connected to the company. They tend to run different company social networks like Instagram and Twitter. They run the online presence of companies.
Proposal Writer
Proposal writers are pretty straightforward. They write proposals for companies and businesses. This can be to get grants, implement policies, and a multitude of different business ventures. Most companies and organizations will have a proposal writer or have that intertwined with another position.
If something here doesn't interest you, don't worry. There are plenty of other options to look into. These are just some popular routes people take after graduation. There is also grad school if you need more education to get to your goals. Good Luck!
