Careers and Opportunities

What Can You Do with an English Major?

The short answer: Anything you want! Discover the wide range of opportunities available to English majors with some recent graduates going on to be lawyers, doctors, teachers, authors, CEOs, librarians and more!

But don’t just take our word for it! Major companies and news outlets highlight the many benefits of pursuing a degree in English:

• Communication Skills: You'll develop strong writing and speaking abilities, which are essential in nearly every profession.

• Critical Thinking: Analyzing literature and texts sharpens your ability to think critically and engage with complex ideas.

• Cultural Awareness: Studying diverse works fosters an understanding of different cultures, perspectives, and historical contexts.

• Research Skills: You'll learn to conduct thorough research and synthesize information, valuable skills in many fields.

• Lifelong Learning: The discipline encourages continuous exploration of new ideas, fostering a love for learning.

• Empathy Development: Engaging with diverse characters and narratives enhances your empathy and understanding of human experiences.

Explore the numerous career paths available through our career center. You can also read about alumni who have succeeded in fields like higher education, editing, finance, law, and consumer technology in Alumni Careers and Pathways.

For personalized guidance, visit the Career Center for a one-on-one chat with an advisor, or check out Handshake below for current job openings seeking English graduates.