What can you do with an English degree? If you’re contemplating pursuing an English degree, you may be wondering what professions you could consider after graduation.
There are actually many potential jobs for English majors. You could develop skills in analytics, interpretation, research, and communication that are helpful for a variety of positions and fields.
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While additional qualifications may be required before you reach some of these employment goals, an English major can help you build a solid foundation for a range of career paths.
What Can You Do with an English Degree?
“What can I do with an English degree?” When you’re contemplating this question, you may get stuck on two potential career options: English teacher or writer.
While it’s true that these are both careers that English majors pursue, they are not the only options. In fact, a degree in literature may lead to law school and a career as a lawyer, as you use your ability to read, analyze, and share your interpretation of the text with the law.
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Some English majors use their honed communication skills in career fields such as advertising, marketing, or public relations. Human resources professionals often benefit from the written and verbal communication requirements of this major as well.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that many of these career paths are on the rise, providing greater opportunities for English majors than before. In fact, many professionals benefit from an English degree and the skills included in the study of the language, the literature, and how it is used in communication today.
5 Things You Can Do with a Degree in English
What can you do with an English major? With a focus on skills in written and spoken communication, analyzing content, and sharing information with others, a degree in English can be applicable for a number of career paths.
Here are some examples of the range of positions that English majors may pursue.
1. English Teacher
You may wish to use your skills to educate the next generation of students. English teachers create a curriculum of lessons and skills, and they work with students one-on-one and as a group to help each student meet their personal goals.
Depending on the state in which you teach, you may be asked to complete additional education, licensing, or certification before teaching certain classes.
2. Human Resources Specialist
The human resources department of a business helps coordinate each aspect of an employee’s career. This can include recruiting, hiring, talent management, employee engagement and development, and preparing for next career steps.
Some HR professionals may also be asked to handle payroll, time off, and benefits coordination duties. Communication is key for human resources professionals. It’s also essential for them to be able to carefully analyze and provide input into a variety of situations.
3. Editor
Editors often wear many hats. Editors may review submissions to websites, magazines, newspapers, and books to determine if they are suitable for publication.
They may also be asked to coordinate with staff writers and freelancers to develop content. They might proofread submissions and provide grammatical and content-related feedback. Editors are expected to communicate with a variety of individuals as well as be able to analyze and evaluate writing samples.
4. Archivist
An archivist is responsible for cataloging, preserving, documenting, analyzing, and providing education about the various records in a collection. They may work for museums, libraries, learning institutions, religious groups, or government agencies.
Archivists frequently have additional specialized education, but completing an English major may help them review, analyze, and categorize collections quickly and accurately. Additionally, some archivists work to make collections public online, through social media or other digital networks.
5. Lawyer
While additional education is required in order to pass the bar examination and become a lawyer, many law professionals start their education with an English degree.
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There are many types of lawyers, including those who concentrate on copyright law, estate planning, or corporate law. In each area, professionals are asked to analyze, interpret, research, and communicate the law in order to adequately represent their clients.
Online English Degrees
There are several different types of English degrees that you may wish to consider when choosing your educational path:
- Associate’s in English. This type of degree program often involves around 2 years of study. Students are introduced to topics such as literature and composition as well as critical reading and analysis. Those who earn their associate’s degree may continue to a variety of bachelor’s and master’s programs, or they may start their careers.
- Bachelor’s in English. A bachelor’s program typically involves 4 years of study, so students who pursue their bachelor’s degree will dive deeper into literature, language, critical analysis, communication, and writing skills. Bachelor’s programs may include etymology or linguistics courses in addition to comparing, interpreting, and examining writing from various cultures and time periods.
- Master’s in English. A master’s-level education is often required for managerial roles, meaning a masters in English is worth it for many professionals. Those who wish to become secondary education leaders may also wish to pursue a master’s in English. At this level of education, you’ll typically choose a concentration or area of focus, and your coursework will reflect this focus.
- Doctorate in English. Those who complete this level of education are considered experts in the subject matter. PhD candidates are often expected to complete a dissertation. Professionals who have a doctorate in English are often at the top of their field as leaders, executives, or postsecondary teachers. They may work in mass media, marketing, education, or publishing.
The type of online English degree program you choose will depend on your career ambitions and personal goals.
English Careers & Salaries
Those pondering what to do with an English degree have many potential opportunities available to them. Some professional paths require additional education, such as earning an on-campus or online creative writing degree for those who want to become writers, but an English major may be the first step toward these career goals.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, here are the median salaries of potential career paths related to the study of English and writing.
| Careers | Annual Median Salaries |
| Advertising and Promotions Managers | $127,150 |
| Public Relations and Fundraising Managers | $119,860 |
| Technical Writers | $78,060 |
| Writers and Authors | $69,510 |
| Editors | $63,350 |
| Public Relations Specialists | $62,800 |
| Human Resources Specialists | $62,290 |
| High School Teachers | $61,820 |
| Archivists, Curators, and Museum Workers | $50,120 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $48,370 |
A variety of career paths can benefit from the skills learned as part of an English degree, making it a versatile educational option.
How to Know If a Degree in English Is Right for Me
You may be wondering whether a degree in English is appropriate for you and your career goals.
As an English major, you’ll be expected to:
- Read a variety of material—including poetry, short stories, novels, articles, and texts from different time periods, cultures, places, and genres
- Combine knowledge of literary theory, language, society, and symbolism to analyze the ideas conveyed by the author
- Provide written or oral interpretation of this analysis
- Correlate cultural, historical, or social perspectives to written materials
All in all, English majors spend a lot of time reading materials and sharing their analysis of these materials. You may be asked to provide a written analysis of how authors use literature to share a theme or concept. You may also be asked to provide your own creative writing samples.
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In essence, an English degree allows students to explore the written language as a means of communicating. You’ll immerse yourself in a wide variety of written materials to help you understand how language can explain, persuade, and describe the world around you.
Is Financial Aid Available?
Various types of financial aid are available to students who qualify. If you’re interested in need-based assistance, you may wish to fill out and submit the FAFSA, or Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
Many colleges and universities offer scholarships to students based on their previous academic performance. Grants may also be available to students who declare certain majors, are academically successful or have additional financial concerns.
In addition, some employers offer educational assistance or tuition reimbursement to those who are pursuing higher education.
What Is an English Degree?
An English degree is often considered one of the many degrees under the “humanities” umbrella. These degrees focus on connecting with others through expression and understanding.
The focus of an English degree often seems to be centered around reading required materials and writing reports about them. But students are also asked to look deeper into the social, cultural, historical, psychological, and artistic context of a text.
By doing so, English majors are able to connect through a variety of communication styles. They can also become skilled at analyzing and interpreting the impact of written materials, ranging from novels to social medial posts.
How Much Do English Majors Make?
English majors have a truly diverse range of career opportunities to consider. How much an English major earns depends on a number of factors, such as their chosen industry, level of experience, and education level.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for public relations specialists is $62,800, and the median for fundraisers is $60,660. Similarly, the median salary for editors is $63,350. Most writers and authors make between $38,500 and $133,580. This category includes a range of writers, from copywriters to screenwriters and published authors.
What Do English Majors Do?
An English major typically does a lot of reading, analysis, research, and writing—which are useful skills for many professional occupations. English majors are encouraged to research and interpret the historical, cultural, and social context of written material. They may review materials from the lens of popular culture, religion, gender, and sexuality.
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As a result, English major jobs can range from that of a human resources specialist or public relations consultant to a middle school language arts teacher. Professional writers and authors often pursue English degrees as well. Many lawyers also start their educational journey with an English degree.
What Skills Do You Learn with an English Degree?
While reading and writing are certainly the focus of many English degree programs, students practice a variety of skills.
Here are some of the areas in which an English degree program may provide additional practice:
- Researching contextual elements
- Participating in large group discussions about sensitive issues
- Appreciating a variety of perspectives
- Sharing an understanding of a variety of topics through writing or discussion
These skills can be applied to many professional opportunities or future educational paths.
What Are Some Entry Level Jobs for English Majors?
Upon graduation, English majors may wish to explore a variety of professional opportunities to gain experience and prepare them for the next steps.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the following median annual salaries for these roles:
- Writers and Authors — $69,510
- Editors — $63,350
- Public Relations Specialists — $62,800
- Fundraisers — $60,660
- News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists — $48,370
Some entry-level roles within these job categories include copywriter, freelance writer, editorial assistant, proofreader, and social media specialist. As English majors continue in their careers or education, their opportunities for earnings may increase.
What Are Some High Paying Jobs for English Majors?
According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the following jobs and median salaries are among the highest paying for those who hold a degree in English:
- Advertising and Promotions Managers — $127,150
- Public Relations Managers — $125,780
- Fundraising Managers — $100,810
- Technical Writers — $78,060
- Writers and Authors — $69,510
Leadership opportunities frequently require previous experience. Additional education may also lead to more opportunities. For instance, an English degree can be used as a foundation for law school.
Is a Bachelor in English Degree Worth It?
Yes, a bachelor in English degree is worth it for many professionals. There are many potential career paths associated with an English major, many of which are growing as fast as or faster than the average for all occupations.
For instance, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 6% job growth for media and communication occupations over the next ten years. Common careers in this field include writer, educator, social media specialist, public relations specialist, and editor.
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Whether you choose to enter the workforce or pursue graduate studies or law school, an English degree can help prepare you with skills in writing, critical thinking, analysis, and communication.
Getting Your English Bachelors Degree Online
While many people associate English majors with writers and teachers, there are plenty of other career paths that you can consider with an English degree.
In fact, the skills that you can develop throughout your studies can be beneficial in many different fields and positions. You can refine your research, analysis, writing, and communications skills, among others, through an online English program.
You can take a look at some of the English bachelors programs available online from accredited schools to see which ones best align with your personal interests and professional goals.
