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Academics |
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English Career Areas
What can I do with this degree?
| AREAS |
EMPLOYERS |
STRATEGIES |
Writing/Editing
Creative Writing
Journalism
Free-lance
Technical Writing |
- Newspapers
- Magazines
- Broadcast media companies including television and movie industry
- Trade, professional, or consumer publications
- Internet sites
- Advertising agencies
- Large corporations
- Government agencies
- Colleges and universities
- Technical industries
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- Select elective coursework in a particular
area of interest.
- Write for campus publications such as college
newspapers, magazines, or departmental/program newsletters
- Develop speaking and debate skills.
- Volunteer to assist or tutor students in a
writing center.
- For technical writing positions obtain a
concentration in technical writing. Take science and/or computer
courses to gain knowledge about technical areas and trends.
- Become familiar with the proposal writing
and submission process involved in freelance writing.
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| Education |
- Public schools
- Private schools
- Colleges and universities
- Libraries
- Private learning centers
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- Acquire computer skills
- Gain volunteer experience with Big Brother/Sister program, tutoring,
sports, summer camps, teen counseling, child care centers, or
with other special populations.
- Participate in school activities such as debate, literary club,
campus publications, student government, alumni relations, and
admissions.
- Obtain appropriate state certification for public school teaching.
- A graduate degree is required for post-secondary teaching
- Earn certification to teach multiple subjects/age groups for
increased job opportunities.
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Publishing
Editing
Advertising
Sales
Circulation
Production
Publicity |
- Special interest magazines
- Trade magazines
- Associational and organizational magazines
- Sunday newspaper supplements
- Educational and professional books
- Religious books and magazines
- Other book publishers
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- Obtain summer internship in an area of the publishing industry.
- Participate in summer publishing institute.
- Develop word processing and editing skills.
- Work on student publications
- Conduct an informational interview with or shadow a professional
in the publishing industry.
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Advertising
Creative
Media
Research |
- Advertising agencies
- In-house agencies of large companies
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- Demonstrate talent, persistence, assertiveness, and enthusiasm.
- Be prepared to start in an entry-level position.
- Obtain strong statistics background for market research positions.
- Create portfolio of writing and ideas showing originality and
imagination for creative or advertising positions.
- Gain knowledge of various media, contemporary tastes, and trends.
- Obtain campus newspaper, TV, or radio experience.
- Participate in sales and promotions in student organizations
or private businesses
- Complete an internship in a market research firm or advertising
agency.
- Supplement curriculum with courses in business, art, or graphic design.
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Public Relations
Research
Writing
Editing
Media |
- Public relations firm
- Advertising agencies
- In-house public relations departments
- Trade associations
- Colleges and universities
- Nonprofit organizations
- Governement agencies
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- Obtain internship or other relevant work experience.
- Develop strong research skills, public speaking ability, enthusiasm,
and interpersonal skills.
- Supplement curriculum with business courses.
- Become an effective team member by working on group projects
for campus organizations.
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| Law |
- Law firms
- Corporate legal departments
- Government agencies
- Public service agencies
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- Develop strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
- Become skillful in debate and public speaking.
- Organize campus events, speakers, or political rallies.
- Obtain summer or part-time work in a law firm.
- Complete special training requirements for paralegal positions.
- Attend law school and earn a law degree to become an attorney.
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Business/Industry
Management
Sales
Marketing
Human Resources
Insurance
Claims
Underwriting |
- Business organizations including banks, real estate agencies,
insurance firms, and large and small corporations
- Retailers including department, grocery, drug, speciality, variety,
and book stores.
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- Obtain a business minor.
- Gain work experience through part-time jobs, internships, or
relevant volunteer work.
- Secure leadership roles in campus organizations.
- Join student professional associations.
- Develop strong analytical and computer skills.
- Gain experience as financial officer or treasurer of a campus
organization .
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General Information
- A major in english can be good preparation for continued graduate
or professional training in areas such as english, law, political science/government,
public administration, psychology, counseling, communications, and religious
studies (i.e., seminary).
- Develop a speciality area of interest via additional coursework and/or
work experience for greater marketability within that specific career
field.
- Save samples of written work to be used for a portfolio.
- Be prepared to be proactive, determined, assertive, and confident
in order to secure freelance writing opportunities. Writers typically
experience many rejections for each piece that is accepted for publication.
- Cultivate other career opportunities in order to supplement a freelance
writing income.
- Obtain aditional areas of expertise such as journalism, broadcasting,
technical writing, or politics for specialized positions.
- For careers in advertising or public relations be prepared to begin
in an entry-level position.
- A bachelor's degree in english is sufficient for many entry level
positions in business and industry.
- Appropriate teacher certification is required for publis school teaching.
- A graduate degree is required for teaching at the college or university
level.
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