Careers for English Majors and Minors

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Question: What do the following people have in common:

Answer: They were all English majors!

(Courtesy of Mississippi State English Department)

When most people think of majoring in English, they assume that the only careers available to them will be in teaching. However, this is not the case. While many English majors and minors do go on to teach, there are so many other possibilities for those who study English, including advertising, journalism, marketing, writing, law, publishing, politics, and library science among others. English majors and minors can go on to graduate school in English or a variety of disciplines, law school, and even medical school. In short, students who major or minor in English take a course of study that prepares them well for a variety of career and graduate school options. Because strong written and verbal communication skills are so highly valued in almost all careers, students who study English find themselves uniquely equipped for many interesting and highly competitive fields. Also, those who study English hone their critical thinking and analytical skills greatly, and these skills are viable and useful in a variety of professions. Finally, employers and graduate school admissions committees want to see well-rounded, articulate, and interesting candidates; that is why English majors tend to do well in such application processes. Below are some useful links that can provide you with more information about careers in English.