Welcome to the English Career Community!

Master’s and bachelor’s degrees in English can give students a good understanding of the English language, reading comprehension and the ability to write effectively. These skills can prepare graduates for a variety of different career paths in education, law and business! Your degree in English can lead to careers in writing, editing, and content creation in fields like publishing, journalism, and media. You can also pursue roles in teaching, public relations, marketing, and advertising. Your strong communication and analytical skills can make you valuable in diverse sectors such as technical writing, law, business, and nonprofits.

What Can I Do With My Degree? English

There are a wide variety of careers open to students with English degrees! English graduates can work as writers, editors, or content creators in fields like publishing, journalism, and media. You can also pursue teaching with additional certification or work in public relations, marketing, and advertising. English majors often find roles in technical writing, law, business, and nonprofit sectors, where your strong communication and analytical skills are highly valued. 

For those of you pursing a master’s degree in English, in addition to these careers, you can expand your career prospects into higher education, including roles as college professors or lecturers. Graduates can pursue advanced writing and editorial positions in publishing, media, and content creation. You are also well-suited for high-level roles in marketing, communications, and public relations. Additionally, you can work in research, cultural studies, and leadership positions within educational institutions and nonprofit organizations.

As an English major, you may find roles that showcase your writing skills in a variety of industries. Whether you choose to become a traditional writer, editor, or social media manager, you can apply the skills gained from your English major in numerous jobs.

Explore Career Paths

  • Content Writer: Creating engaging and informative content for websites, blogs, and social media.
  • Editorial Assistant: Assisting editors in publishing houses, magazines, or newspapers with tasks like proofreading and fact-checking.
  • Copywriter: Crafting persuasive and compelling copy for advertisements, marketing materials, and product descriptions.
  • Public Relations Assistant: Helping to manage an organization’s public image and communications through press releases and media relations.
  • Marketing Coordinator: Supporting marketing campaigns and strategies through content creation, market research, and social media management.
  • Technical Writer: Writing manuals, user guides, and other technical documents that explain complex information in a clear manner.
  • Teacher: Teaching English or related subjects at the K-12 level, often requiring additional certification.
  • Communications Specialist: Managing internal and external communications for businesses or organizations.
  • Library Assistant: Supporting librarians with cataloging, research, and customer service in libraries.
  • Research Assistant: Conducting research, compiling data, and assisting with academic or market research projects.

  • Editor: Overseeing the content creation process, managing writers, and ensuring the quality and consistency of published materials.
  • Content Manager: Strategizing and managing the content development for websites, blogs, and social media platforms.
  • Public Relations Manager: Developing and executing PR strategies to manage and enhance the public image of organizations.
  • Marketing Manager: Leading marketing campaigns, analyzing market trends, and coordinating marketing teams to promote products or services.
  • Communications Director: Overseeing all internal and external communications, ensuring cohesive and effective messaging across an organization.
  • Technical Documentation Manager: Supervising the creation of technical documents and manuals, ensuring accuracy and clarity.
  • Grant Writer: Researching and writing proposals to secure funding for nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, or research projects.
  • Corporate Trainer: Developing and delivering training programs to improve employees’ skills and knowledge within an organization.
  • Literary Agent: Representing authors and negotiating book deals with publishers on their behalf.
  • Digital Content Strategist: Creating and implementing strategies to optimize digital content for SEO, user engagement, and brand awareness.

  • Chief Content Officer: Leading the content strategy and development across all media platforms within an organization.
  • Editorial Director: Overseeing editorial operations, setting the vision and strategy for publishing houses, magazines, or media companies.
  • Vice President of Communications: Managing the overall communication strategy, including public relations, internal communications, and media relations for an organization.
  • Creative Director: Guiding the creative process for advertising, marketing campaigns, and branding efforts.
  • Director of Marketing: Leading the marketing department, developing high-level marketing strategies, and ensuring alignment with business goals.
  • Head of Public Relations: Formulating and directing PR policies, managing crisis communications, and building strong media relationships.
  • Director of Technical Publications: Overseeing the creation and distribution of technical documentation, ensuring high standards and consistency.
  • Senior Grant Manager: Leading the grant writing team, developing strategies to secure significant funding, and managing relationships with major donors.
  • Academic Dean: Managing academic programs, faculty, and curriculum development within colleges or universities.
  • Head of Corporate Training and Development: Leading organizational training programs, developing strategies for employee development, and ensuring alignment with company objectives.

Join Professional Associations & Know Your Skills

  • Modern Language Association (MLA): Focuses on the study and teaching of language and literature.
  • National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE): Supports teachers and educators in English studies.
  • Association of Writers & Writing Programs (AWP): Advocates for creative writing and the advancement of literary arts.
  • American Society of Journalists and Authors (ASJA): Represents freelance writers and authors.
  • Editorial Freelancers Association (EFA): Supports editorial professionals with resources and networking.
  • Public Relations Society of America (PRSA): Offers resources and networking for public relations professionals.
  • Society for Technical Communication (STC): Focuses on advancing the field of technical communication.
  • Association for Business Communication (ABC): Promotes research and teaching in business communication.
  • American Copy Editors Society (ACES): Provides training and support for editors and copy editors.
  • American Library Association (ALA): Supports librarians and promotes library and information science.

  • TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages): Certification for teaching English as a second language.
  • HubSpot Content Marketing Certification: Credential for proficiency in content marketing strategies.
  • Google Analytics Certification: Certification for expertise in Google Analytics and data analysis.
  • Certified Professional Technical Communicator (CPTC): Certification from the Society for Technical Communication (STC) for technical writers.
  • Copyediting Certificate: Offered by institutions like the University of California, this certification focuses on professional editing skills.
  • Professional Certified Marketer (PCM)®: Certification from the American Marketing Association for marketing professionals.
  • SEO Certification: Credentials from organizations like Moz or Yoast for expertise in search engine optimization.
  • Certificate in Grant Writing: Offered by various universities and organizations, focusing on skills for writing and securing grants.
  • Public Relations (PR) Certification: Credentials from the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) for PR professionals.
  • Creative Writing Certificate: Offered by institutions like Stanford or Gotham Writers Workshop, focusing on advanced creative writing skills.

  • Microsoft Word: Essential for word processing and document creation.
  • Grammarly: Helps in proofreading and editing for grammar, punctuation, and style.
  • WordPress: Useful for blogging and content management systems.
  • Adobe InDesign: Useful for layout design, especially for publishing and editorial work.
  • Google Workspace (formerly G Suite): Includes tools like Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides for collaborative writing and document sharing.
  • Content Management Systems (CMS): Familiarity with platforms like Drupal or Joomla for website content management.
  • Project Management Software: Tools like Asana or Trello for organizing writing projects and tasks.
  • SEO Tools: Familiarity with tools like SEMrush or Ahrefs for keyword research and search engine optimization.
  • Data Analysis Tools: Basic proficiency in tools like Excel or Google Sheets for data analysis and reporting.
  • Presentation Software: Skills in software like Microsoft PowerPoint or Google Slides for creating and delivering presentations.

Do You Have Elective Credit? Consider ENG401 – Profession of Writing (Campus, Online)

This course provides students with guidance in their professionalization, including topics such as career paths, resumes, and internships. The course will utilize Career Center resources and will include networking opportunities, interview practice, internship application experience, and job application guidance. Students will come out of the class with a sense of how to leverage their strengths as readers and writers on the job market.

Prerequisites:

  • ENG190 – Research and Persuasion (3)
  • ENG200 – Sophomore Seminar (3)

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Companies in the publishing, media, and marketing industries often hire English majors. English majors possess strong writing, communication, and critical thinking …

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