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. 

CLICK HERE TO VIEW EMPLOYERS/POSITION TITLES and GRADUATE SCHOOLS/PROGRAMS REPORTED FOR THIS MAJOR

Class of 2022 Career Outcomes for English*

** Includes Self-Employed

Campus Resources

To find additonal clubs and organizations, visit the Center for Student Organizations.

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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

Employment Websites

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Major/Career Specfic:

Professional Associations/Resources

Employers/Position Title Reported by Class of 2022 English majors

The information below represents employers and position titles from the Class of 2022 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)
Atlanta Classic Comics Store Manager
Barrow County Schools Teacher
Big Canoe POA Experience Communications Coordinator and Storyteller
BOS Security, Inc. Marketing Manager
Brown & Brown Insurance Marketing Coordinator
CJV Fine Art Gallery Gallery Director and Content Creator
DeKalb County School District English Language Arts Teacher
Fulbright English Teaching Assistant
Hall Booth Smith, P.C. Paralegal
Hussmann Order Management Supervisor
Institute of Reading Development Reading Instructor
Madison Byler Artistry Artist
Manjaks Gymnastics Coach
Motion Recruitment Recruiter
North Atlanta Pediatric Associates Medical Assistant
Office of the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives Press Assistant
Peachtree Corners Animal Clinic Veterinary Technician
Pond & Company Marketing Coordinator
RangeWater Real Estate Legal Assistant
Taylor English Duma Economic Development and Election Law Intern
TEGNA Reporter
The Extension Development and Marketing Coordinator
The Impact Partnership Copywriter
The TJX Companies, Inc. Customer Experience Coordinator
University of Georgia Retail Dining Assistant Manager
University of Georgia Assistant to the Dean of Students for Marketing and Communications
Vendue Hotel Barback
Watkins Law Firm, LLC Paralegal
* denotes no responses received.
*Source: Areas above marked with an Asterisk (*) have been created utilizing data taken from the UGA Career Outcomes Survey. The "Employers Hiring...," "Job Titles of...," "Career Outcomes for...," and "Graduate/Professional Schools and Programs..." information listed above represent UGA Class of 2022 Graduates. The lists are not exhaustive and therefore do not represent all potential career options. Click here for more detailed Career Outcomes information regarding this major.

Graduate/Professional Schools attended by Class of 2022 English majors

The information below represents graduate/professional schools and programs reported through the Class of 2022 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)
Charleston School of Law Law, JD
Clemson University English, Not Specified
Devry University Certified Public Accountant, Certificate
Georgia College & State University English, MA
Georgia Gwinnett College Georgia Gwinnett College, Not Specified
Louisiana State University Law, Not Specified
Middle Georgia State University Second Grade Education, Not Specified
North Carolina State University Clinical Mental Health Counseling, MEd
The New School Creative Publishing and Critical Journalism, MA
The University of Tennessee - Knoxville Law, JD
University of Georgia Philosophy, Not Specified
University of Georgia Journalism and Mass Comm, Master's
University of Georgia College Student Affairs Administration, MEd
University of Georgia Law, JD
University of Georgia Law, JD
University of Georgia Elementary Education, MEd
University of Georgia English, Master's
University of Georgia English, Master's
University of Georgia English Education, Master's
University of Georgia English Education, Master's
University of Georgia English Education, Master's
University of Illinois at Chicago Law, JD
University of Iowa Not Specified
University of Mississippi Law, JD
University of North Carolina At Chapel Hill Not Specified
University of Oxford English, Master's
University of San Diego Law, JD
University of West Georgia Not Specified
Valdosta State University Library Science, MS
* denotes no responses received.

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