An English major opens doors to a multitude of career paths.
Use your degree in fields as diverse as business, computer science, music, law, ministry, policy, the arts, and publishing. With the knowledge and skills you gain from your degree, you will be prepared to engage and serve the world — with passion and truth.
- Write, edit, or design for universities, government agencies, businesses, non-profits, and media outlets.
- Work in marketing, publishing, or politics.
- Teach writing or literature at any level, or specialize in TESOL (Teaching English as a Second Language).
- Add a pre-law specialization, and use your writing and researching skills in pursuit of a law degree.
- Pursue ministry in the pulpit, with a non-profit or through translation work.
- Add a credential in biology, computer science, graphic design, or another field and specialize in technical communication, including writing for engineering firms, healthcare industries, computer systems design companies, software publishers, and more.
ÐßÐßÊÓƵ English Majors Working in the World
An English major provides a strong foundation for a variety of career paths. See where alumni are currently working by exploring the different areas below.
Publishing
Help transform ideas into published works through careers in editing, acquisitions, design, production, marketing, and literary representation.
Alicia (Sheppard) Cooper, Production Editor, Penguin Publishing Group, Penguin Random House
Writing
Write to tell stories, persuade, and inform in roles like author, journalist, copywriter, social media manager, or technical writer.
Abigail Ham, The Keene Sentinel, Assistant News Editor
Library & Education
Share a love of books and words as a librarian, teacher, professor, or other educator.
Rebecca Stout, Youth Librarian, Berkley Public Library
Hannah (Harvey) Weber, CRM and Campus Visit Program Coordinator
Elle Nieuwsma, Secondary English Education & Theatre Director, Holland Christian School
Michelle Merrit, English Teacher in Korea, Completing Masters at University of Oxford.
Rachel (Koehne) Yonai, Circulation Supervisor, Sprink Lake District Library
Non-Profit & Business
You'll find English alumni using their skills in a variety of non-profits and businesses.
Jason Entingh, Research Associate, Dorothy A. Johnson Center at GVSU
Service and Leadership
Alumni go on to lead churches, organizations, and programs as pastors, lawyers, and community leaders.
The writing skills I developed at ÐßÐßÊÓƵ as an English major have been central to the opportunities I've had in my career — I now get to write a newsletter for hundreds of thousands of subscribers and develop research on emerging tech trends for leading corporate strategy teams.
*Based on 2021 Alumni Survey
Acting
Advancement
Advertising
Arts Management
Author: Adult, Children’s/YA
Book Editing: Adult, Children’s/YA
Book Marketing
Book Publishing
Business: Management, Manufacturing, Sales Rep, Supply Chain Management
Computing: Data and Digital Analytics, Programming
Web Design
Communication
Copy Editing
Disability/Rehab Coordinator
Film Maker
Finance
Government
Grad School: MA/PhD
Grad School: MFA/PhD
Healthcare
Journalism
Law
Leadership Coaching
Academic Librarian:
Public Librarian
Literary Agent
Magazine Editing
Marketing
Ministry: Ordained
Ministry: Chaplaincy
Children’s Ministry
Non-Profits
Non-Teaching Jobs in Universities
Physical Therapy
Probation Professional
Professor
Public Relations
Public Sector/Government
Social Work
Teaching K-12
Teaching Internationally
An English major as a strategic choice for pursing an advanced degree.
Whether you’re pursuing graduate studies related to English or another field of advanced study, an English degree prepares you with the essential skills you’ll need to review literature, write, analyze, and communicate information.
Continue your education at ÐßÐßÊÓƵ with a graduate program.
ÐßÐßÊÓƵ graduate programs that pair well with an English degree:
Master of Arts in Teaching – Move into career in teaching writing or literature with a 1-year program to get both your teaching certificate and a master's degree.
Master of Social Work – Leverage your writing and analysis skills to serve people, communities and organizations.
Master of Business Administration – use your writing and analysis skills in a business setting.
Master of Arts in Media and Strategic Communication – gain technical video and marketing knowledge to complement your writing skills and communication skills.
Master of Arts in Speech Pathology – translate your love of language into a career helping others struggling to communicate. (Be prepared to take 6 undergraduate leveling certificate courses to enter the MA in speech pathology program.)