What Can I Do With a Major In English?
UGA Specific Information for English
English is a major branch of the language arts with a primary focus on writing, reading, literature, and speech. Although accurate use of the English language is essential to every college graduate, encountering the humanizing forces of languages and literature is the primary objective for students in this major. An English major will gain skills in critical thinking and articulate self-expression as well as knowledge of English and American Literature, language history and usage, and the critical contexts that help us to interpret our own age as well as others. Although the program encourages breadth and variety, it also offers ample opportunity for intensive study of particular interests, such as linguistics or creative and technical writing.
Class of 2021 Career Outcomes for English*
** Includes Self-Employed
Campus Resources
To find additonal clubs and organizations, visit the Center for Student Organizations.
Additional UGA Career Center Recommendations/Considerations
General Information and Strategies
- A bachelor’s degree in English is very broad and is sufficient for entry level positions in business and industry, as well as in areas such as entertainment, radio and television commentary, and museum work. Because English can lead to many different career paths, it is important to identify an area of interest and be planful about gaining the right skills, experience, and credentials to enter that field.
- A major in English is also good preparation for continued graduate or professional training in areas such as English, law, political science/government, public administration, communications, religious studies (e.g. seminary).
- 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. Save samples of written work to be used for a portfolio. Cultivate other career opportunities in order to supplement a freelance writing income.
- Obtain additional areas of expertise such as journalism, broadcasting, technical writing, or politics for specialized positions.
- Conduct informational interviews or shadow professionals in careers of interest to learn more about their jobs.
- Join relevant professional associations. Attend their conferences and read their journals.
(source: http://whatcanidowiththismajor.com/major/english/)
Tip: Join LinkedIn groups that are related to your career interest. To search, select “groups” under the “interests” tab. Also, review the groups that professionals in your field of interest have joined and consider joining them as well.
Interested in graduate school? Find current information on getting into graduate school at UGA’s Career Center webpage.
Supplemental Career Research Dashboard
Additional Career Research Resources
- My Next Move - Powered by O*NET
- Occupational Outlook Handbook (type in general term for career of interest)
- Career Insider: Vault Guides
- Candid Career - View professionals speaking about their careers
- Jobs for English Majors
- Idealist Careers - Helping You Find a Nonprofit Career
Employment Websites
General:
- GoinGlobal - International (to access, login with your MyID and password)
- Idealist - Nonprofit
- USAJOBS - Federal
Major/Career Specfic:
- Bookjobs
- Investigative Reporters and Editors
- Journalism Jobs and Internships
- Careers at National Geographic
- National Public Radio (NPR)
- The Write Job (Journalism, Media, Publishing, Technical and Medical Writing Jobs)
Professional Associations/Resources
- Association of Writers and Writing Programs
- American Copy Editors Society
- American Library Association
- American Society of Journalists & Authors
- Association of Literary Scholars and Critics
- Magazine Publishers of America
- National Writers Association
- American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages
- Association for Business Communication
- Association of Teachers of Technical Writing
- College English Association
- International Writing Centers Association
- Modern Language Association
- National Council of Teachers of English
- Screen Actors Guild
- Society for Technical Communication
Employers/Position Title Reported by Class of 2021 English majors
The information below represents employers and position titles from the Class of 2021 Career Outcomes Survey. To view historical Career Outcomes for this major, click here and select "Historical Data" from the navigation menu.
Employer | Position Title(s) |
---|---|
12Stone Church | Worship Resident | Barrow County | English Teacher | Biblio Books Publishing | Student Intern | Brigham and Women's Hospital | Research Technician | Captive Search Marketing | Junior Account Coordinator | Clear Speech LLC | Digital Content Manager | Cliff Valley School | 7th & 8th Grade English Teacher | CoStar Group | Content Writer | Gwinnett County | ELA Teacher | Gwinnett County | High School ELA Teacher | Hall County | English Teacher | Home Chef | Junior Influencer Marketing Associate | Home Chef | Junior Influencer Marketing Associate | Home Chef | Junior Influencer Marketing Associate | Hull Barrett, P.C. | Receptionist | Illuminate Literary Agency | Editorial Intern | Insight Global | Contract Specialist | Jackson County | 7th Grade English/Language Arts Teacher | Kilpatrick Townsend and Stockton | Attorney Recruiting Coordinator | KnowBe4 | Technical Writing Intern | KPMG | Advisory Associate | M3/Expensure | Business Development Representative | Macmillan Publishers | Sales Assistant | Park Place Outreach Inc. | Communications and Marketing AmeriCorps Vista | Plural | Content Strategist & Copywriter | TAPIF: Teaching Assistant Program in France | English Teaching Assistant | Teach for America | Corp Member | The Grit | Server | The Koehler Firm | Legal Assistant | The Marcus Harris Foundation | Staff Blogger Intern | Trenton Systems | Sales Support Specialist | University of Georgia | Library Assistant III | University of Georgia | IT Professional Assoc. | University of Georgia | GCAC College Adviser | W&A Engineering | Proposal Coordinator | Walton Athletics 24 | Office Manager | Writer's Relief | Publishing Admin Assistant |
Graduate/Professional Schools attended by Class of 2021 English majors
The information below represents graduate/professional schools and programs reported through the Class of 2020 Career Outcomes Survey. To view historical Career Outcomes for this major, click here and select "Historical Data" from the navigation menu.
Graduate School | Program(s) |
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Arizona State University | Social Justice and Human Rights, Master's | Arizona State University | Social Justice and Human Rights, Master's | Arizona State University | Social Justice and Human Rights, Master's | Arizona State University | Social Justice and Human Rights, Master's | Boston University | Social Work, MSW | Boston University | History of Art and Architecture, MA | Catholic University of America | Law, JD | Georgia Southern University | Secondary Education and Teaching, MA | Georgia State University | Education, MS | University of California Los Angeles | Law, JD | University of Chicago | English Literature, MAPH | University of Georgia | Professional Counseling (School Counseling), MEd/EdS | University of Georgia | English Education, MAT | University of Georgia | Business Analytics, MSBA | University of North Georgia | Undeclared, BA | University of North Georgia | Secondary Education, MAT | University of Tennessee | English, MA | University of Tennessee | Not Specified |