Majoring in English is a versatile choice for students who are creative, love to read and write, and want to have multiple paths in their careers. Picking a major is a pressuring decision, especially because many majors lead to specific paths, for example, nursing, post-secondary teaching, engineering…
A lot of the time, English majors make their decision to study this area due to uncertainty or wanting to keep their options open. Even then, majoring in English is a great strategy for preparing oneself for the real world. Multiple studies have shown the importance of writing skills with employers today. A Harvard Business review shared a statement from an employer stating, “I won’t hire people who use poor grammar”. Another study showed that “73% of employers want candidates with writing skills“. What better path to take than one which prepares you for the world of professional writing, grammar, detail-orientated thinking, and written communication.
Novel Writers & Authors
Choosing a career in writing is a great choice for creative and independent thinkers. Becoming a novelist may mean working hard to get your work published and not quitting your day job, but it’s all worth it when you get to exercise your passions. The 2020 median pay for writers was $67,120 annually, and the occupation has a 9% growth rate from 2020-2030, giving it an overall average but positive outlook.
Technical Writers
Are you good at translating difficult concepts into simple, understandable ones? If so, technical writing might be a good fit for you. Technical writing integrates STEM and liberal arts into one. In 2020, the median salary for a technical writer was $74,650, and it is projected to grow in the next decade at a 12% rate, which is above average. Being able to break down concepts into instructional manuals for an audience is a much-needed skill in an ever-growing technology-based society.
News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists
The art of storytelling, information gathering, and excellent writing skills are all important when it comes to being a journalist and reporter. Media people need to be quick on their feet and ready to find a story. Just like first responders, journalists must rush to the scene of a story, prepared to share the details of those involved. Journalists currently make a median pay of $49,300 annually, and job growth is at an average 6%.
Tutors, Teachers, and Instructors
Being a pro in English provides a person with the necessary skills to teach it to others. Whether that be in a college classroom or as an international tutor, there are many opportunities to teach. As of 2020, the median pay was at $50,390 for tutors and teachers with some careers making up to $90,000 a year. People can even take on part-time tutoring gigs, both in-person and online, to make extra cash alongside their main jobs. With new knowledge being discovered daily, there will always be a need for teachers.
Grant Writers
Has the idea of working with non-profits, charities and struggling populations ever felt like a calling to you? If so, grant writing is a great career that provides this kind of support. As a grant writer, you will be tasked with aiding organizations with funding requests on the state and federal levels. Non-profits particularly benefit from grants as they rely on donations and funds to run their organizations. This is a great job for English majors that want to give back to their communities and help those most in need.
PR & communications
Public and communication representatives are relied upon for companies’ images and reputations. The tasks of PR professionals encompasses public speaking, problem-solving and relational-building. As of now, the median pay for PR and communications is $62,810 annually with a projected 11% growth, which is much higher than average.
Law & politics
While a career as a lawyer will involve extra schooling, it is great for anyone who is skilled in debating with a passion for justice. Nearly topping all the other careers on this list, lawyers in 2020 made an average salary of $126,930. An average of 9% is the current rate of growth for lawyers specifically, and this is not taking into account other jobs in the realm of law, such as lobbyists, paralegals, legal advocates, etc…
English majors are wonderfully suited for the world of law because reading and writing are skills they will have already mastered. An eye for detail and top-notch communication skills is another plus for hiring English majors in law.
Marketing, & Advertising
Marketing and advertising are abundant in the world of social media today. Nearly every company and organization has a social media account now, meaning that they have someone who manages it. Even outside of the realm of social media, marketing and advertising are prevalent. Careers in these areas have a median salary of $141,490 annually with a 10% growth projection, making this field a top-notch career choice.
producers & directors
Whether you have a great story to tell, a script you wish to adapt into real-time, or love the idea of bossing people around while you sit on a chair engraved with your name on it, producing and directing are glamorous careers for those who crave drama and bringing ideas to life.
Everyone starts out small, of course, and getting into the infamously termed “Hollywood career” is no easy task, but luckily the stats are in your favor. In 2020, the projected growth for a career in producing and directing was set at 24%, much higher than average. The median salary for this career field is $76,400.
librarians & curators
For those who find joy in history, literature, and fine arts, becoming a librarian or curator would be a wonderful fit. Both of these careers require a master’s degree in their areas of expertise, but these can be matched well with a Bachelor’s in English, particularly with an emphasis in classical literature or history. Archivists and curators made a median salary of $52,140 in 2020 and have a high growth rate of 19%. Librarians and library media specialists made a median salary of $60,820 with a 9% growth rate.
publications, Film, & video Editing
Really, these are separate careers with different outlooks. Publication editing involves proofreading, revision, and documentation styling for different written pieces. These kinds of editors work for newspapers, magazines, book publications, grant centers, etc… In 2020, the annual average salary for publication editors was $63,400. The growth rate for editors of this kind is at 5%, or slightly below average. Editing often goes hand in hand with writing and can bring great satisfaction to those who love the little details and perfecting projects.
Film and video editors, on the other hand, have a high projected growth of 29%. The average salary in 2020, $61,900, is similar to publication editors. This is a great job for those who love to be a part of the process of creativity. It involves a little bit of everything with sound mixing, scene clipping, and developing an impactful visual.
Closing Thoughts…
There is no shortage of career choices for English majors. The most important thing to remember as a college student is that this is the time to apply yourself. Join clubs to adapt skills, apply for internships, and connect with those in your field of interest.
People like to argue about which degrees lead to the best outcomes, but in reality, success has little to do with the name of the bachelor’s degree on your resume and everything to do with how you apply yourself. So whether you choose to study English, rocket science, or basket weaving, remember that what your employer is looking for is your own skill set and efforts that you have developed, not just the classes you have passed.