What to Do with an English Degree

I graduated from the University of West Florida with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in English and creative writing. When I graduated I had this belief that with my degree in hand, I'd walk into any magazine or editorial house, and they'd give me a job immediately. To my dismay, this was not the case. Through multiple sessions with my guidance councilor and work place counselor, they informed me that many of the large Fortune 500 companies were looking for someone with the type of skills an English major would possess. With this thought in mind, I created a resume that outlined my great communication skills and writing talents.

I was hired as a customer consultant and editor with the Xerox Corporation. This position had a two prong job description. I was required to edit all of the copy writing, memos, and communication that went out of my department. I was also asked to edit and write form letters that the Xerox Corporation would send out to customers. The other side of the job required me to contact customers that wanted to work with Xerox. I would then gather their information and disseminate it to whatever group needed it. All of the communication that went to these particular customers was prepared and edited by me, along with the information that the different departments would provide me. After a few years, I began to long for the classroom and I became a teacher.

I began a transition to teaching program for students who had degrees, but did not have their teaching certificate. Through a 3 month high intensity program, I was educated in the art of teaching and coached on how to get a teaching certificate. After a 1 year mentorship, I was a fully credentialed teacher. I taught 11^th and 12^th grade high school English for a dropout prevention school. It was a wonderful way to use my degree and reach out to students who needed a good education. I found that I was not only teaching them the knowledge of the language, but also to respect the literature. The more I taught the more I realized that I was being forced to teach to a test rather than teach these students the true skills they needed. I transitioned into helping the movement against the violence against women.

I began work in a domestic violence outreach center teaching students and adults alike the warning sign of a domestic violent relationship. I now go into middle schools and after school programs such as the YMCA and Boys and Girls club, and teach the students about nonviolence and healthy relationships. The number of people who die or are brutalized on a daily basis at the hands of someone they know and trust is mind blowing. With my degree, I'm helping all people understand how easy it would be to just be nice to each other. I'm teaching these middle school students that they have a voice and the ability to change this world we live in. They have a choice to make our world a less violent place to live. My degree has allowed me to help change the world.