English Major Careers

Area

Employer

Information/Strategies

Writing/Editing

• Newspapers
• Magazines
• Broadcast media companies including television, radio, and the movie industry
• Trade, professional, or consumer publications
• internet sites
• Large corporations
• Government agencies including:
  • Department of Homeland Security
  • Department of Defense
  • Department of State
  • Veterans Affairs
  • National Archives and Records Admin.
• Universities and university presses
• Technical industries
• Self-employed/Freelance

• Select elective coursework in a particular area of interest.
• Write for campus publications such as college newspapers, magazines, or departmental or program newsletters.
• Volunteer to assist or tutor students in a writing center.
• For technical writing positions obtain a concentration in technical writing. Take science and/or computer courses to gain knowledge about technical areas and trends.
• Become familiar with the proposal writing and submission process involved in freelance writing.
• Gain as much experience as possible through volunteer positions, internships, or part-time jobs.
• Demonstrate patience and persistence in starting a career in creative writing.

Education

• Public schools
• Private schools
• Colleges and universities
• Language institutes, local and abroad
• Libraries
• Museums
• Private learning centers
• Test preparation organizations
• Nonprofit organizations involved with literacy

• Obtain appropriate state certification for public school teaching. Earn certifications to teach multiple subjects or age groups for increased job opportunities.
• Earn a master’s or doctorate degree for post-secondary teaching. Maintain a high grade point average and secure strong faculty recommendations for graduate school.
• Plan to attend graduate school in college student personnel or information science for those fields.
• Seek volunteer experiences working with children through Big Brother/Sister programs, tutoring, summer camps, YMCA’s, etc.
• Participate in activities such as debate or literary clubs, campus publications, or student government.
• Get involved in roles of leadership such as resident advisor, peer mentor, student advisor, etc.

Publishing

• Trade publishing
• Special interest magazines
• Trade magazines
• Association magazines
• Sunday newspaper supplements
• Educational publishing
• Religious books and magazines
• Professional and scholarly publishing
• University presses
• Independent publishers
• Alternative media publishers including:
  • E-books
  • Audiobooks

• Obtain an internship in the publishing industry.
• Participate in a summer publishing institute.
• Develop word processing, editing, and desktop publishing skills; build additional technical skills if working in an online environment.
• Gain experience by writing for student publications such as the newspaper, creative writing magazines, the yearbook, etc.
• Conduct an informational interview with or shadow a professional in the publishing industry.
• Look for positions with local dailies and alternative weeklies in the community.
• Volunteer to write or edit publications with local nonprofit organizations to gain experience.
• Develop extensive grammar and language skills.
• Be prepared to relocate to cities with a publishing presence. A large majority of opportunities exist in New York City.
• Research the publishing industry to learn more about career ladders.

Advertising

• Advertising agencies
• In-house agencies of large companies

• Demonstrate talent, persistence, assertiveness, and enthusiasm.
• Be prepared to start in an entry-level position.
• Obtain strong statistics background for market research positions.
• Create a portfolio of writing showing originality and imagination for creative positions.
• Gain knowledge of various media, contemporary tastes, and trends.
• Obtain experience with campus newspaper, TV, or radio.
• Participate in sales and promotions for student organizations or private businesses.
• Complete an internship in a market research firm or advertising agency.
• Supplement curriculum with courses in business (marketing, economics, mathematics), art, or graphic design.

Public Relations

• Public relations firms
• Advertising agencies
• In-house public relations departments
• Trade associations
• Colleges and universities
• Nonprofit organizations
• Government agencies

• Obtain internship or other relevant work experience to break into this field. Be prepared to start at the bottom and work towards higher levels.
• Develop strong research skills, public speaking ability, enthusiasm, and interpersonal skills.
• Supplement curriculum with business courses.
• Become an effective team member by working on group projects for campus organizations.
• Volunteer to write publications for nonprofit or student organizations.

Business

• Business organizations including banks, real estate agencies, insurance firms, and large and small corporations
• Retailers including department, grocery, drug, specialty, variety, and book stores

• Obtain a business minor.
• Gain relevant experience through part-time jobs, internships, or volunteer work.
• Secure leadership roles in campus organizations and student professional associations.
• Seek experience as a financial officer or treasurer of a campus organization.
• Develop strong analytical and computer skills.

Law

• Law firms
• Government agencies
• State and local government
• Corporations
• Public interest organizations
• Private practice
• Colleges and universities

• Participate in a debate or forensic team to hone communication skills.
• Develop strong research skills and attention to detail.
• Take courses in and gain experience with mediation and conflict resolution.
• Get involved with pre-law organizations.
• Obtain a summer or part-time job in a law firm.
• Plan to shadow an attorney to learn more about the field and various specialties.
• Complete special training requirements for paralegal positions.
• Attend law school and earn a JD to become an attorney. Maintain an excellent grade point average and secure strong faculty recommendations to gain law school admittance. Plan to take the LSAT.