This “pre-professional” major provides the necessary foundation for successful graduate studies in the humanities, social sciences, law, business, and public administration. As liberal arts majors in English, students develop invaluable skills in critical thinking and analysis, allowing them to creatively and effectively contribute in numerous ways to their communities. Graduates of an English program use their communication skills, both oral and written, to influence trends in such areas as:
Education | Banking | Commerce |
Marketing | IS/IT | Medicine |
Sales | Law | Real Estate |
Publishing | Government | Insurance |
The solid skills derived from a liberal arts degree in English are further enhanced through minors/certificates received in disciplines such as psychology, finance, computer science, communications, and political science. The key to success after graduation is in understanding the multiple skills obtained through both academic studies and practical experience and learning to market those skills to the best advantage!
TRADITIONAL JOBS WITH A B.A. IN ENGLISH
Editorial Assistant | Free-lance writer |
Copy Writer | High School English teacher |
Publications Editor | Communication consultant |
Print Journalist | Fed. Gov’t. Information officer |
Advertising copy writer | Personnel analyst |
Screen Writer | Executive assistant |
Technical Writer | Marketing/P.R. Specialist |
B.A. IN ENGLISH WITH ADDITIONAL PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION
Attorney | Physician |
Psychologist | Pharmacist |
Architect | Dentist |
Engineer | Bank officer |
Financial analyst | Business executive |
Realtor/Developer | Librarian |
Sales manager | Community college instructor |
B.A. IN ENGLISH WITH ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE
Caterer | Flight attendant |
Innkeeper | Travel agent |
Farmer | Software developer |
Vintner | Songwriter |
Photographer | Entertainer |
Interior designer | Theater director |
Wages for 2009 Humanities graduates as a whole fell by -0.2% over the previous year, with English majors faring somewhat better with an average yearly increase of $1200. According to statistics compiled by N.A.C.E. (National Association of Colleges and Employers, www.jobweb.com).
FORMER ENGLISH MAJORS
Alan Alda, Actor, writer | Joe Paterno, Football coach (Penn State) |
Russell Baker, Journalist | Sally Ride, Astronaut |
Dave Barry, Humorist writer, actor | Joan Rivers, Comic |
Linda Bloodworth-Thomason, TV producer | Diane Sawyer, Broadcast journalist |
Carol Browner, Former Head of EPA | Paul Simon, Songwriter, singer |
Chevy Chase, Comic, actor, writer | Brandon Tartikoff, Television executive |
Michael Eisner, Walt Disney CEO | Steven Spielberg, Film maker |
Jodi Foster, Actor, film maker | Christopher Reeve, Superman |
Kathryn Fuller, World Wildlife Fund CEO | Clarence Thomas, Supreme Court Justice |
A. Barlett Giamatti, Yale President | Grant Tinker, TV Executive/Producer |
Cathy Guisewite, Cartoonist (Cathy) | Harold Varmus, Nobel laureate |
Chris Isaak, Songwriter, singer | Barbara Walters, Broadcast journalist |
Stephen King, Novelist | Pete Wilson, Former Governor of California |
Thanks to Mississippi State University English Dept.
WEB SITES OF INTEREST
- Modern Language Association
- Society for Technical Communition
- Northeast Ohio Chapter of STC
- Ohio Film Commission
- The Home of Quotations
- Info on technical writing
- More info on technical writing
- Info on publishing legalities
- Copyright & Fair Use info
- Study Abroad Scholarships, Fellowships, and Postdoctoral Awards
- Federal Grants
- Free Scholarship Info
- More Free Information
- Scholarships for International Study
- Info for Writers and Editors