What Can I Do With A Major in English?

Every organization and company needs people who can read and write well.  If you have ever gone to a museum’s website, or listened to a podcast, or clicked through an email advertising a sale at your favorite store, there was someone like you on the other end creating these examples of successful communication.  Companies and organizations have stories to tell—to stakeholders, to other businesses, and to the public, and someone majoring or minoring in English has the necessary close reading skills, audience awareness skills, argument crafting skills, research skills, and rhetorical sensitivity to thrive in content producing and editing positions.  Some (though certainly not all) possible career paths include: nonprofit organizations; marketing and public relations; publishing; web content production; and libraries.

See the Career Center's What Can I Do With A Major in English page for more information on where recent English Department grads have gotten work after graduation.

Top 10 Career Skills of English Majors

1. Critical Thinking
   • Analyzes complex ideas and arguments to form independent, evidence-based conclusions.
2. Written Communication
   • Produces clear, persuasive, and well-structured writing tailored to specific audiences and purposes.
3. Research and Information Literacy
   • Locates, evaluates, and synthesizes information from diverse sources to support informed analysis.
4. Editing and Attention to Detail
   • Refines language, structure, and accuracy in documents, ensuring clarity and professionalism.
5. Oral Communication and Presentation
   • Articulates ideas effectively through discussion, debate, and public speaking.
6. Cultural and Ethical Awareness
   • Demonstrates sensitivity to diverse perspectives, social contexts, and ethical considerations.
7. Creative and Analytical Problem-Solving
   • Approaches challenges with imagination and logic, generating innovative and practical solutions.
8. Collaboration and Teamwork
   • Works productively with peers, incorporating feedback and contributing to collective goals.
9. Project and Time Management
   • Organizes complex assignments, meets deadlines, and balances multiple tasks efficiently.
10. Digital and Professional Communication

• Uses digital tools to create, edit, and share content; adapts communication strategies for modern media and workplace contexts.