English is the most popular major among liberal arts students. More degrees awarded in English than in any of the other liberal arts disciplines. People who choose an English major are not necessarily aspiring writers or journalists. They do, however, tend to be avid readers and good writers. Studies in English emphasize analysis. Articulate individuals who are skilled writers, thinkers and communicators are highly sought after by a variety of corporations and government agencies. Typically, English majors go on to careers in law, advertising, journalism, publishing, education, writing or management. Many earn graduate degrees in areas such as linguistics, law, film, drama, health sciences or business.
English offers students the chance to study both the history of literature as well as the ways that literature has affected history. By focusing on the subjects ad-dressed by a writer, we learn of challenges faced and met, and the society that produced those challenges. To study English is to study humankind.
English departments differ from college to college. Some incorporate the many sub- disciplines of English, such as creative writing, American studies, comparative literature and technical writing, while others give these areas stand-alone status and totally separate departments. When exploring colleges, check out the breadth and depth of the English-themed classes available to undergraduates.
Typical courses for an English major include survey classes of English and American literature, classes in history of the English language, modern English grammar, poetry, short story, English drama, and literature of different eras, such as Medieval or Victorian literature. English classes build skills beyond literary analysis. Through them, students learn to read critically, and they study the ways that a literary work both creates and reflects the culture that produced it. All English classes incorporate a considerable amount of reading and writing. The major also requires a good deal of library research.
Creative writing is a popular major for those interested in English language and literature. In this major, students examine the works of established writers and begin to develop their own personal style. Creative writing majors might concentrate in a specific genre such as fiction, poetry, play-writing, non-fiction or screenwriting. While many of the core courses are similar to those of the English major, upper-division writing courses teach writing techniques such as characterization, dialogue, plot, organization and tone. Graduates with this major (or minor) may become professional writers or may work in a related field like teaching, editing, publishing, advertising, television, broadcasting or journalism.
Technical and business writing majors learn to make technical information under-standable to laymen. They become the communicators that increasingly help citizens adapt to a technological age. The job of the technical writer is to translate the technical language of science, engineering, computers and the Internet into ordinary language understandable by the masses. Typical courses include correspondence and report writing, scientific and business writing, software and product documentation, multimedia use and technical editing. Career paths often take technical writing majors to positions as website editors, documentation writers, product planners or technical communicators for business.
American Literature majors study the history and development of American literature and examine the political and social forces that have shaped it. Graduates may go on to journalism and publishing careers, may teach at high school or college level or enter the business world in careers that value their strong research skills.
Career Paths for English Majors
- Brand strategist
- Casting director
- Communications officer
- Corporate blogger
- Corporate communications manager
- Critic
- Editor
- Event planner
- Freelance writer
- Grant writer
- Journalist
- Lobbyist
- Market researcher
- News reporter
- Policy analyst
- Public relations professional
- Publisher
- Research analyst
- Sales professional
- Search engine marketer
- Social media manager
- Speech writer
- Stock broker
- Teacher
- Technical writer
- TV, radio or film writer
