What Can You Do with an English Degree?

Okay. You are determined to earn an English degree, despite the concerned warnings of family and friends. Yes, you've heard it all before. People with English degrees have trouble finding jobs. "What are you going to do with an English degree?" everybody asks you, scratching their heads.

In today's world, there are plenty of avenues available to an English major. There are the obvious jobs such as editor and writer. You can work for a newspaper and magazine. You can even work for a book publishing company. You'll probably have to move to the Big Apple in order to work for a publishing company, so keep that in mind.

However, there are other careers available to someone armed with an English degree. Have you ever thought about working in public relations? As a public relations specialist, you would write press releases, newsletters, and other publications for your company. Often, writing these types of materials requires both creativity and journalistic skills. Many nonprofits look for public relations professionals. Organizations such as museums, arts organizations, and libraries need people who are excellent writers to inform the public about their mission, events, and so on.

If you complete an education program in addition to earning an English degree, you can teach in elementary or high schools. Schools are always on the lookout for new teachers who want to make a difference in young people's lives. As everyone knows, there is a shortage of teachers around the country, and school districts are clamoring for quality educators who care about kids. If you want to teach in a university, you can also go this route. However, you will have to earn a master's degree in order to be considered for a position as a college professor.

English majors have superb verbal and written communication skills, talents highly sought by the business world. Some with English degrees decide to pursue a career in business where they can use their abilities to climb the corporate ladder.

Do you like being in front of the camera? You should think about a career in broadcasting. Television stations require strong writers, whether to write the news copy or report it to the viewing public. Are you camera shy? Why not try working in radio? Radio stations need writers to create their advertising spots. Your communication skills could also land you a gig as a radio news reporter or even a DJ!

Advertisements seen in newspapers and television commercials are created by copywriters. If you work for an advertising agency, you can work as a copywriter, creating jingles, scripts, or the written copy for ads. If you like to come up with slogans, this career path may be just the right one for you.

If you have an English degree, you can further your education by pursuing a master's in library science. The library is a logical place for an English grad to go. Some with English degrees even work as paraprofessionals while they go to library school. Can you imagine spending your days surrounded by books? It's every English major's dream!

No matter what type of career you choose, it is always a sensible idea to work in as many internships as you possibly can. Determine what type of career you desire, then find an internship in that field. For example, if you want to work in PR, find an internship in some type of nonprofit. If you want to be a book editor, try to score an internship at a publishing company. Even if the internship doesn't pay, it will provide you with valuable experience that will look fantastic on your resume.

So the next time someone asks you what in the world are you going to do with an English degree, let them know that there are an abundance of opportunities available to the English degree graduate. Carefully planning your college career and securing useful internships will get you well on your way to working a fulfilling job where your writing skills are used on a daily basis.