6 Jobs For English Majors

By Kylie Exline on March 28, 2016

If you’re an English major, then you know how frustrated you become when someone assumes you intend on being a high school teacher educating your students on the importance of grammar.

Not that many neglect going into the field, but rather that it is simply an assumption — an exhausting one at that.

With an English degree, there are various options for a future career path. We could potentially enter the media world, become a New York Times Best Seller (high hopes), or decide to become a corporate blogger. They are all possible.

If wondering what an English major intends to do with their life, stop the assumptions and read along.

Journalist

Journalism is a career that many pursue, yet it is not a requirement to graduate from a journalism college in order to reach success. Major myth, I know. There are numerous journalists that had their start in a different field, and worked their way toward wanting to be a reporter.

There is an apparent style of journalistic writing, one that many learn in order to become successful. With an English degree, we already know the basics of proof reading (multiple times), checking our sources, as well as having meaningful quotes.

Plus, when we use jargon, such as “beat” or “libel,” we actually know what we are talking about.

Editor

Editing is a primary job for those studying English, and partly due to the fact that they are always needed. You could always use another set of eyes, as well as someone to point out your grammatical errors.

If you are at all like me, then you find joy in making a paper bleed, and love giving and taking criticism. If not, then maybe the idea of simply helping a struggling writer will make it worth it for you. If so, then good for you.

With a job in editing, you can become a freelance writer or even a publisher if your heart so desires. Just make sure that if correcting someone, you are actually right, because things could become awkward real quick.

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Professor

We all know that teachers are vital and greatly affect our future generations. However, it does not make it okay when people assume that is the only job we aspire to have.

An English degree offers work in teaching, yes, but it also offers jobs elsewhere in the field. You could always work up the ranks, landing a gig as a counselor, or assistant principal even.

Plus, being a professor comes with great benefits. Not only do you get to teach what you love, but you get paid well while doing it. Sounds like a steal to me.

News Broadcaster

Not to be confused with a journalist, a news broadcaster is exactly what it seems: someone who broadcasts the news. However, there is more to the job than just simply that.

You have to acquire great editing skills (that is a given), be able to actively research topics, and have an ability to meet deadlines at a fast pace. If you tend to turn things in late, this may not be the job for you.

You also do not have to be the one in front of the camera, but rather the guy who writes what the reporter says. That is, if you are more into being behind the scenes.

Public Relations

This career has definitely seen an increase over the past few years, and it is in large part due to companies needing writers to get their information out to the public. Many ad agencies rely on writers to articulate what they are selling to the consumers.

These tasks could include writing news releases and memos, drafting up newsletters, and even applying content to their social media accounts. The list goes on.

PR takes a large stance on focusing on companies upping their coverage, as well as explaining their policies. If you’d like a career where busy is your middle name, I think you have found it.

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Lawyer

Another huge misconception is that you have to be a political science major in order to attend law school. False.

Many English majors enter law because they not only write well, but also want to explore various writing possibilities. This way, they are combining two things they love.

English majors are great for this career path because they are able to stay neutral on heavy topics, articulate what other people have difficulty with, as well as have the inkling to research diverse topics.

Many people assume that English majors are only good for writing, and their qualities end there. However, there are multiple careers out there, including ones that many are unaware of.

It is a great major to be involved in because it enhances your research skills, teaches the importance of time and meeting deadlines, and of course makes you that much better of a writer.

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