by Hope Dorman
We’ve all probably been asked if we want to be teachers once we tell people that we’re English majors. To those who ask, English is a limited career field, but we know it to be so much more. There are many viable options for English majors, though it might be hard for someone else to see how. To provide some inspiration, here are some real job postings that need English majors, and some of them may surprise you.
Technical Writing
Beaverton, OR
Writing is of course a huge part of the English major, and many companies need people to write technical manuals or copy. Huron Consulting Group is a financial and operational consulting firm based in Beaverton and they need someone to develop “documentation and training targeted at a wide range of medical researchers.” They’re looking for someone with a degree in Writing, Education, Journalism, or English. Check out the listing here.
Contracts Administrator
Fairfax, VA
The Columbia Group was looking for a Contracts Administrator, which is a position in logistics management and administers and coordinates contracts, agreements, and documents, using databases and electronic tracking systems. They need someone who has a familiarity with writing formal contracts, as well as good communication and accuracy skills. Initially, “logistics management” sounds more fitting for an Operations and Technology Management major, but they want someone with a degree in English, Writing, or Communications. More info is on the job posting here
Lead Manager of Communications
New York, NY
The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants is looking for someone to handle outward communications about the industry, through many different forms such as presentations, blogs, videos, social media, and articles. It’s great to know that a totally different industry, such as finance, values the communication skills and knows that the English major is a great way to learn them. This job is ideal for someone already in the work force with at least seven years’ experience in corporate communications, but it demonstrates that at all levels of business, there is a need for people who can communicate well. Review more here.
Copy Editor
Carlsbad, CA
Editing is something we all should know well (and if you don’t, just wait until you write your capstone). Four years of essay writing prepares those with an English degree to proofread, revise, and edit pieces of writing – a perfect skill for this job. Arbor Scientia is a medical education agency looking for someone who can proofread, fact-check, articulate the usability of products, and work with many other departments on general communication needs. They want someone with a Bachelor’s degree in English, some background knowledge of the medical industry and 1-2 years of copy editing experience, which you could definitely claim with your four years of essay writing. Review more, or graduating seniors, apply here!
Head of Content Marketing
Atlanta, GA
Marketing is an excellent field for those with an English degree, so long as they pick up additional business skills. Salesloft is a company that sells a platform for sales development teams and they are looking for someone who can oversee content marketing initiatives. This position involves content creation, supervising writers, message creation, and requires familiarity with the business world and business software such as Google Analytics and Adobe Creative Suite. This position demonstrates that English is a great base education, especially when rounded off with other skills and familiarity with different fields. See more of what the company is looking for here.
So there you have it – five jobs that prove that English majors are not all destined to be teachers or baristas. For those of you who have some time left in your undergraduate career, take this post as a sign to be confident in your choice of major and to pick up skills in other areas to round out your experience. For those of you beginning the job hunt soon, don’t be afraid to cast your net a little wider. As the end of the semester approaches, know that the world has lots of opportunities for those who hold a degree in English.