You can do a lot with English. You are specializing in the language the majority of the world uses to communicate
What types of Jobs are there?
Popular conceptions has always been that studies in English limit your job market to teaching…and…teaching. But, English has far more possibilities. It is the language that the majority of the world uses to communicate in writing and speech. English serves as support in virtually every field. You can do a lot with English.
A lot of the below career information comes from UNCW’s career center. It is a solid resource for beginning the job hunt.
English contributes to…
- Planning and organization
- Flexibility
- Persuasion
- Interpersonal Skills
- Careful consideration of audience
- Word processing familiarity
- Analyzing large bodies of text
- Analyzing short sections of text
- Stating arguments succinctly
- Logical argumentation
- Prioritizing work
- Interpreting ideas for audience, topic, purpose, etc.
- Finding information
- Coping with deadlines
- Addressing the public
- Listening to others
- Working as part of a team
- Mediating
- Recognizing boundaries
- Setting goals
- Taking Responsibility
- Applying knowledge
- Taking initiative
- Taking independent action
- Working in a competitive environment
- Creating new ideas
- And many, many, more
So what jobs are open? Return to Top
A whole lot. Think of how many jobs integrate the above skills. Engineers and scientists always need someone to translate their language into something others can read.
- Broadcasting
- Editing
- Radio
- Science Writing
- Columnist/journalism
- Public relations
- Entertainment reviews/publications
- Web publication and management
- Managers and administrators
- Teaching and education
- Office assistants
- Insurance
- Non-profit sector
- See a much more complete list at the UNCW career center.
Is PhD a good option? Return to Top
There is a significant amount of truth to the adage that a PhD closes off jobs. The education level requires a much higher pay grade than many jobs need, thus you will be over-qualified and a good chance towards not being hired.
A Master’s degree doesn’t really close off any jobs, gives a higher pay grade, and is often required for certain types of jobs, such as editing.
If you are the type that wants a PhD, you probably aren’t dissuaded by the above. PhD information can be found here.
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