English Major Career Planning Options
- English
- English Education (see also Education Major)
The study of English involves broad exposure to all aspects of English and an examination over time of a culture that has spoken and written in English. Rivier English majors learn to read, write and appreciate literature in its many forms. Schooled in the critical analysis of ideas, English majors study the ideas of people and how those ideas have been conveyed. These majors develop an appreciation of the importance of proof reading, editing, clarification of meaning and how to make the best impression and impact. A classic of liberal arts education, English majors gain solid effective communications skills that are key in all lines of work. Visit Rivier's English and Communications Department for information on degrees and course offerings.
English Major Skills
General Abilities
Able to generate creative ideas
Good concentration abilities
Proficient in oral communication
Able to organize ideas, materials and people
Good clarifying and questioning skills
Writing Abilities
Articulate/creative/persuasive
Concise writing and editing
Command of grammar/vocabulary
Reading Abilities
Critical interpretation
Analytical thinking
Investigative skills
*English Education majors should also develop skills involving creativity, planning and the ability to adapt teaching methods and modalities to the various learning styles of students.
Career Paths for English Majors
Careers for new English graduates are diverse and dependent upon one's interests, abilities, work values, academic emphasis, and practical experience in the field. English majors work in a vast number of environments such as writing, editing and publishing, teaching, communications, business administration and management, law, government, library science, non-profit settings and the entertainment industry among many more. English majors are encouraged to combine their liberal arts studies with experience and coursework related to specialized areas of interest. For example, those with an interest in advertising can round out their studies with hands on entry level advertising experience and related courses. In addition, job market trends reveal that education and training in the use of computer technology greatly enhances employment prospects.
English graduates may work as . . .(The following are titles from across the industry. Some of these jobs may require education or experience beyond a Bachelor's degree.)
Advertising/Publications
| Account Director |
Event Coordinator |
| Advertising Director |
Investor Relations Director |
| Associate Media Director |
Junior Buyer |
| Broadcast Supervisor |
Media Planner |
| Community Affairs Director |
Production Assistant |
| Copywriter |
Press Secretary |
Business/Government
| Account Representative |
Market Research Analyst |
| Communications Assistant |
Membership Coordinator |
| Consultant |
Outreach Worker |
| Fundraising Coordinator |
Personnel Officer |
| Grant Writer |
Program Manager |
| Insurance Underwriter |
Project Director |
| Legislative Assistant |
Speech Writer |
| Marketing Manager |
|
Writing/Editing/Publishing
| Assignment Editor |
News Editor/Writer |
| Bureau Reporter |
Novelist/Playwright/Poet |
| Columnist |
Program Proposals Coordinator |
| Copy Editor/Writer |
Radio Production Assistant |
| Critic |
Reporter (TV/Newspaper) |
| Editorial Assistant |
Researcher |
| Electronic Publishing Assistant |
Sports Writer |
| Freelance Reporter |
Syndicated Columnist |
| Journalist |
Technical Writer |
Education
| Admissions Representative |
Professor |
| Bilingual Teacher |
Public Information Specialist |
| International School Teacher |
Special Education Teacher |
| Librarian |
Teacher, Secondary |
English graduates may work at . . .
| Bookstores |
Book Publisher |
| Radio & TV Stations |
Strategies Publishing |
| Film Companies |
Magazines |
| Public & Private Schools |
Newspapers |
| Public Relations Firms |
Trade & Technical Journals |
| Research Institutions |
Public Libraries |
| Colleges & Universities |
Sports Organizations |
| Non-profit Organizations |
Business & Industry |
| Telecommunications Firms |
Political/Legal Offices |
Ways to Increase Employability
The following suggestions will enhance your leadership skills and workplace qualifications, while promoting networking relationships with fellow professionals:
- Pursue elective course work or additional training related to one's professional field of interest.
- Participate in volunteer and service learning opportunities.
- Become an active student member of university, community, or professional organizations, which enhance leadership skills and promote networking relationships with fellow professionals.
- Obtain quality practical experience prior to graduation through relevant part-time, full-time, and summer job or internship positions.
Sources of Information on Majors, Careers and Employment in English
- Rivier University Faculty Advisors, Academic Advisors, & English/
Communications Department Resources
- Professionals Working in the Field
- Professional Organizations
- Rivier University Career Development Center Counseling Staff, Website & Office Resources
Rivier University's Career Development Center Resources
Effective career decision-making evolves through a process of gathering accurate self-knowledge and significant information about the major or career being explored. The Rivier University Career Development Center offers individual career counseling and career resources regarding self-assessment, career exploration, gaining practical experience, and job searching skills. For more information, contact us at 897-8246. The following is a partial list of career resources, available in our office, which may be of interest to English Majors:
- Great Jobs for Communications Majors
- Great Jobs for English Majors
- Careers for Bookworms and Other Literary Types
- 100 Best Careers: Writers and Artists
- 100 Jobs in Words
- Careers for Persuasive Types & Others Who Won't Take No for an Answer
- Great Jobs for English Majors
- Peterson's Graduate Programs in Humanities, Arts & Social Sciences
- Career Opportunities in Writing
- Career Opportunities for Bookworms & Other Literacy Types
- Great Jobs for English Majors
Professional & Rivier University Organizations Related to English
Career Related Websites for English Majors
- Authorlink (Information Services for Writers, Editors, Literary Agents & Publishers)
- Famous English Majors (From Mississippi State University English Department)
- Authorlink (Writing Jobs & Assignments; Classified Ads in Publishing and Journalism)
- Advertising & Media Job Openings
- TV Jobs (Broadcast Employment Services)
- Journalism Job Banks on the Internet
- Editor & Publisher (Career Guide, Classifieds, Media Links, etc.)
- MediaLine (Resource for the Television Industry)
- Creative Freelancers (Connecting freelance designers, illustrators, writers, editors, and photographers with clients.)
- Careers in Journalism (Career, job, and summer internship information)