Lesson 1 WHAT CAN I DO WITH MY DEGREE?

Source: https://www.prospects.ac.uk/careers-advice/what-can-i-do-with-my-degree/english

1. Work in pairs. Tell your partner what you wish to do after graduation. Is the job related to your
degree? How?
2. Read the following article. Which job (s) do you find most suitable for you? Which ones are least
appealing to you? Why?

The skills you gain through studying an English degree are marketable in most career areas.
Here's some ideas about what you can do.

Job options
Jobs directly related to your degree include:

 Digital copywriter  Magazine journalist

 Editorial assistant  Newspaper journalist
 English as a foreign language teacher  Publishing copy-editor/proofreader
 Lexicographer  Writer

Jobs where your degree would be useful include:

 Academic librarian  PPC specialist

 Advertising account executive  Primary school teacher
 Advertising copywriter  Public relations officer
 Arts administrator  Records manager
 Information officer  Secondary school teacher
 Marketing executive  Social media manager

 Remember that many employers accept applications from graduates with any degree
subject, so don't restrict your thinking to the jobs listed here.

Work experience
 As English is a non-vocational course, the skills developed outside your study are also
vital in developing a well-rounded CV. While at university, for example, many English
students write for student newspapers and magazines, get involved with student radio or
film societies, or volunteer in the community or local schools. Evidence of any skills
gained from work experience and extracurricular activities, as well as through study, can
help boost your job prospects.
 Search for placements and find out more about work experience and internships.

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Typical employers
English graduates find opportunities with many different employers. Public and private sector
organisations such as the National Health Service (NHS), educational institutions, local and
national government, financial and legal firms, and voluntary and charitable organisations
employ English graduates in a range of roles, including:

 administration
 finance
 general management
 research.

Other typical employers include:

 advertising marketing and public relations agencies

 media organisations
 publishing companies.

The retail, leisure and tourism sectors also typically recruit English graduates.

Find information on employers in media and internet, marketing, advertising and PR, public
services and administration and other job sectors.

Skills for your CV

The major strength of all English graduates is the ability to communicate effectively, both orally
and in writing. Studying an English degree also develops skills in:

 independent working
 time management and organisation
 planning and researching written work
 articulating knowledge and understanding of texts, concepts and theories
 leading and participating in discussions
 negotiation and teamworking to present ideas and information
 effectively conveying arguments and opinions and thinking creatively
 using your judgement to weigh up alternative perspectives
 critical reasoning and analysis
 using IT.

Further study
Some English graduates choose to continue their academic studies by doing an MA or a PhD,
while others choose to study more vocational postgraduate courses in areas such as teaching,
journalism, librarianship or law. Such courses allow you to study in an area you wish to enter as

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a career. More information on funding for postgraduate study and research is available from the
Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC).

English graduates may decide to undertake further study in areas such as marketing and
management, finance, human resource management and business to enhance their knowledge of
a specific career area.

For more information on further study and find a course that interests you, see Masters degrees
and search postgraduate courses.

What do English graduates do?

A fifth of graduates go on to further study, almost a third of whom are studying towards a
teacher training qualification and a quarter continue to study English.

Destination Percentage
Employed 60.5
Further study 20.3
Working and studying 6.8
Unemployed 6.2
Other 6.2

Graduate destinations for English

Type of work Percentage
Retail, catering and bar work 18.7
Marketing, PR and sales 15.4
Secretarial and numerical clerks 13
Arts, design and media 9.5
Other 43.4

3. Here is an example of a job you might be interested in. Work with your partner. Role play an
interview between you as an interviewer asking questions and your partner as Kim Bailey
answering the questions. Then switch the role.

Careers consultant — Kim Bailey

During her English degree Kim developed a range of useful skills, including written
communication and organisation. Discover how she uses these skills in her work as a careers
consultant.

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How did you get your job as a careers consultant?
After completing a degree in English studies, my first graduate role was on a higher education
(HE) graduate scheme called Ambitious Futures. During the scheme I rotated through three
placements in varied areas of HE: research support, careers and alumni relations.

I really enjoyed the role in careers and applied for a permanent position in a careers service upon
completing the scheme.

During this time I began studying for a Postgraduate Certificate in Career Guidance, which
helped me secure my current role as a careers consultant at The University of Manchester.

How relevant is your English degree?

The content of my degree isn‟t particularly relevant to my job, but the transferable skills I
developed during my degree certainly are. I chose to study English at undergraduate level
because I loved the subject, and I have no regrets choosing this course, as I thoroughly enjoyed
it.

I think the most useful transferable skills I developed during my degree were organisation,
analytical ability and written communication. In particular, my ability to write concisely,
logically and persuasively is useful every day in my role.

As I work with humanities students, my degree does help as I can empathise with students and
understand their mind-set.

I would recommend building your skills outside the classroom, as English degrees don't often
have much opportunity to develop team working and leadership skills

What's a typical day like?

A typical day might include running a CV workshop for students, meeting with colleagues to
organise an alumni networking event, responding to emails and conducting one-to-one career
guidance appointments with students.

Occasionally I travel to conferences or to meet employers to learn more about the labour market
and improve my own knowledge, which helps me help students.

What do you enjoy about being a careers consultant?

I like helping people, and I find the role really rewarding for that reason. Every time you conduct
interview practice with a student and then you hear that they got the job, it really makes my day.

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I also like the creativity involved as there are so many ways to present information to students
and think about ways to engage them with our services. There are always projects to get involved
with outside the normal day so I'm never bored.

I also enjoy that I'm learning something new every day, as every student I talk to has a different
story to tell and requires different support.

What are the challenges?

One of the biggest challenges is student engagement. You invest a lot of time and energy
arranging fantastic events and workshops only to find not many students attend.

However, I like to see this challenge as an opportunity to find new and innovative ways to
connect with students.

Another challenge is keeping up with changes in the labour market and how companies recruit,
such as the increase in video interviewing, and how companies use social media to recruit talent.

Where do you hope to be in five years?

I hope to become more knowledgeable in my role and complete the next stage of my
postgraduate qualification to help achieve this ambition.

I would like to take on increasing levels of responsibility such as larger projects, which
collaborate with other parts of the university, and allow me to develop skills such as budgeting,
decision making and leadership.

What is your advice to other students?

Students studying English have so many choices of potential future careers, which can be
overwhelming as there are no direct careers paths. I would recommend building your skills
outside the classroom, as English degrees don't often have much opportunity to develop team
working and leadership skills, which are crucial in the working world.

For example, I first learned about roles in HE and developed my leadership skills through my
part-time work as a student ambassador. Without this experience I don't think I would have been
accepted onto Ambitious Futures. So if you're interested in finding out more about a role get
some work experience and have a go.

If you're interested in a role as a career guidance practitioner, your first step should definitely be
to access your careers service to speak to a career consultant/adviser. Talk to them about what
they enjoy about their role, and the challenges. You could ask if there are any opportunities to
shadow them for a day to see for yourself what the role entails and find out if you would enjoy it.
You should also start researching postgraduate courses if you do want to become a careers
adviser, as this is one of the main routes into the role.

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Lesson 2 35 AWESOME JOBS FOR ENGLISH MAJORS

1. List out all kinds of jobs an English major can do with their degree.
2. Compare your list with your partner. Are the lists similar in some ways?
3. With your partner, decide the three most interesting jobs for you both? Explain.
4. Read the article about 35 awesome jobs for Ennglish majors. Which one could be your
dream job? Consult a dictionary if you need it.

35 Awesome Jobs for English Majors

Source: http://www.selloutyoursoul.com/2011/12/19/jobs-for-english-majors/

Let‟s go through this long list of jobs. By the way, after you‟re done this list I recommend my
other post: 23 of the best jobs for History majors. It has more examples and all the jobs are
relevant to English majors as well.

It was April. My last month at graduate school. I was walking through the bright library
searching for books to help me find a career with my English degrees (BA and MA in English).
It seemed grim. Where do English majors end up after graduation? Teach? A
proofreader? Teach?

English BAs, MAs, and PhDs really end up in a bunch of different places. We struggle for a bit
after graduation. We complain to each other. And then we disperse.

The hard part, though, involves knowing where to begin. And to be honest, that day in the library
when I discovered that English majors could do many different jobs, I was a little excited, even
though I knew that my real dream job was being a professor.

As this list of the best English major jobs will show, there is a real sense of freedom in doing an
English degree. You can be so many things, work in so many industries, and find a rewarding
career in an industry you may have never expected.

Also, these jobs are not just for English majors–PhD‟s in social sciences, history majors, and
basically any humanities degree has a shot at these jobs.

It‟s a big list. Enjoy.

Also, if you have a career to add or some advice for breaking into any of these industries, please
leave a comment.

Writing Jobs for English Majors

1.Search Engine Marketing

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Search engine marketing is a growing industry, which has attracted many English and humanities
majors. It requires a combination of analytical ability and creativity, making English degrees
often desired. As this industry is so young, you can‟t learn this stuff in university, making it
wide-open for motivated people with strong analytical skills.

What do search engine marketers do? They help companies use digital channels to market their
products. This includes online advertising, search engine optimization (SEO), and the use of web
analytics to study how visitors interact with websites. You don‟t need to be a programmer to
work in search engine marketing. But, the thought of learning about the architecture of the web
should excite you.

How to break in? Start learning about the industry and then get an entry-level job in a search
engine marketing agency. A great place to begin is to take the Google Certification Courses.
Google offers certifications in all major areas of online marketing an after you are „Google
Certified,‟ employers will take you more seriously. This is inexpensive as well with each test
only costing $50 and you can learn online for free.

There are also a zillion blogs, books, and online courses to take. Read some!

2.Direct Response Copywriting

Lots of English majors have become direct response copywriters. Fundraising letters, offers from
cable and cell-phone companies, and other mail-based marketing are probably the work of some
humanities major turned direct response copywriter.

One of the most famous direct response copywriters, Michael Masterson, has a PhD in the
humanities. He worked as a college professor before leaving the academic life to become a
millionaire.

I work in direct response, although in the digital marketing space. This industry requires an
understanding of human psychology (why people buy), creativity, and the ability to use words in
a way that inspires trust and an emotional connection between writer and reader.

Direct response is a great path if you want to sell out like I did. Tons of writers, old humanities
majors, and closet intellectuals are hiding out in the direct response industry.

3.Digital Copywriter

Banner ads, creative social media campaigns, blog posts, whitepapers, e-books, online strategies,
landing pages, website copy, and viral promotion ideas–you‟ll be writing all that fun stuff if you
decide to work as a digital copywriter. Great job. Tons of humanities majors work as digital
copywriters.

How to break in? Write a funny, charming, intelligent letter to an agency and try to get an
internship.

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4.B2B Content Marketing

With the rise of digital marketing, the need for content online has exploded. This is the age of the
writer. B2B (business-to-business) sales involves long, complicated sales processes. People don‟t
just buy, for example, a $60,000 software suite for a corporation in an afternoon. They research
different solutions online, check out reviews, and search for whitepapers. Content
marketing responds to the age of Google and is one digital marketing channel that has grown in
the past 10 years.

There is a big demand for smart researchers and intelligent writers.

Breaking into content marketing requires you to understand the basics of marketing and to have
writing samples. Lost? My book, How to Find a Career with Your Humanities Degree in 126
Days, offers a complete program to help you break down a big career move like this into
manageable, daily actions.

5.News Reporter

It‟s a myth that you need to take broadcasting or communications in college to get a job as a
news reporter. Many humanities majors work at news stations. This industry values excellent
writing abilities and a fast ability to analyze and produce quality work. You also need to be able
to spot grammar slips and be able to write concisely. Research skills, of course, are needed as
well.

If you want to break into this industry you need to, at least, understand what content is news
worthy and know the principles of journalism. Buy a few books. Most people break in as an
intern. However, if you can demonstrate that you have the skills needed, then somebody will
give you a chance.

6.Technical Writer

Many English majors become technical writers. Technical writing involves writing user manuals
for consumer products, instruction manuals, and other technical, complex documents that
products need. It is quite high-paying, although can involve a lot of contract work.

Thomas Pynchon, the author of the famous novel Gravity’s Rainbow, worked as a technical
writer, creating user manuals for a space rocket company.

This industry is relatively hard to break into as most jobs advertised ask for a few years of
experience (I guess nobody wants a rocket-ship manual written by an amateur).

However, Rober Nagle, a humanities M.A. turned technical writer, offers some advice for getting
around the „must have 5 years experience in technical writing‟ dilemma. If this field interests
you, head over to Robert Nagle‟s very cool blog called IdiotProgrammer.com.

7.Journalism

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It‟s also a myth that all journalists went to journalism school. Roy Peter Clark, for example, a
very famous journalist, did a PhD in Medieval Culture before taking this industry by storm.

However, before getting a job you need to understand the principles of journalism. And being a
smart writer with interesting ideas for articles helps. Be sure to get some writing samples
together.

8.Public Relations

Many English majors end up in public relations. In the past decade, public relations has seen
quite a bit of growth (compared to traditional advertising agencies) and even though the decline
of traditional media has complicated things, private companies and governments will always
need writers to help get their messages out to the public.

What will you do in a PR firm? Junior staff will be given tasks such as writing news releases,
pitch letters, crafting newsletters, finding content to send out on social media accounts, and
writing web copy or brochures. As you move up the ranks, you will learn more about the
strategic side of things. PR strategies are generally aimed at helping companies get PR coverage
and using the media to shape the public‟s perception of a company.

Governments also hire PR writers to work in-house. Often called Press Secretaries, your job
would be to keep the public informed about the activity of different governmental agencies,
explain policy, and work on political campaigns.

Do you need a degree in public relations to get a job in the industry? No. Many PR professionals
come from various backgrounds. However, you should be a strong writer with a keen sense of
detail (no typos! And front-page news is no place to mix up the details about your client‟s
company!) That said, practical experience in the industry helps and so internships and contract
positions are a common way to break into PR.

As one English major turned PR pro describes writing a news release: “I need to do what I did
for every essay I wrote for an English class, [such as] figure out the main point, extract the
important information and compile it into a coherent document,” she says.

Also, don‟t overlook temp agencies and temporary positions as you try to break into PR.
“Temporary positions,” says an English major-turned Communications Coordinator, “can help
students and recent graduates gain additional experience and try out positions in a variety of
fields. The experience can help them obtain a full-time job.”

And remember that PR is a very, very big field. Most colleges and universities, government
agencies, medical institutions, and professional organizations have their own internal PR
departments. There are a ton of jobs and opportunities for people who take the time to develop
this skill-set.

Other careers related: Public Relations Specialist; Public Relations Assistant.

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9.Corporate Blogger

Big companies like IBM, Microsoft, Yahoo! and Dell often require corporate bloggers. In the
past ten years, the need for content has exploded with the internet, making the demand for
writers increase. These corporate blogs are used as „branding‟ tools, offering free and helpful
content to their customers.

Even smaller corporations (for example, Mint.com) have company blogs and require a vast
amount of content each day. Many English majors, of course, end up writing these corporate
blogs.

A corporate blogger plans content schedules, comes up with new ideas for articles and
whitepapers, runs social media accounts, monitors traffic and feedback, and of course writes a lot
of blog posts.

To break into this job, you would benefit from having some experience writing for an audience
(for example, a newspaper or magazine) and must be proficient in the basic blogging platforms
and online writing techniques.

However, there are junior positions out there (as writing a blog can be tedious and extra help is
needed).

An excellent way to break into the industry would be to email a fairly well-known blog and to
volunteer your services as an editor or proofreader. Even massive blogs are often run by a
handful of people and so it is relatively easy to get in touch with those in charge. Working for
free for a few months will get you some experience and if the blog is fairly well-known it will be
a nice resume item. They will most likely let you write a post as well–and then you have a
published writing sample.

While strong writing skills are required, don‟t forget to learn about the basic principles of online
writing. These can be learned quite quickly.

Here is a short guide to online writing principles and blogging that I wrote. It covers essential
tools online writers need to know, how to build an audience, and major mistakes to avoid when
making the switch from traditional print writing to digital content.

Nonacademic Research Jobs

10.Marketing Researcher

A former PhD in History that I interviewed on my blog left academia to become a market
researcher. This industry is high-paying and involves detailed research as well as the ability to
spot larger trends and come up with creative solutions to marketing problems.

Typically, you‟ll need to know statistics. History majors do well in marketing research as they
are able to analyze data.

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So what do market researchers actually do? Market researchers run or develop studies to gauge
how consumers think and act. Often psychology or social science PhDs can get jobs outside of
academia as market researchers as they have been trained in statistics and research
methodologies. As mentioned, history PhD‟s can also find work as market researchers.

Job growth is robust for those in this industry with advanced degrees, including PhDs. The
average wage for a market researcher is $61,580 (as reported by national labor surveys in 2009.)

You can read my interview with this History PhD turned market researcher here.

Other careers similar to marketing researcher, which require similar skill-sets are: Market
Research Analyst.

11.Policy Analyst

Philosophy PhD‟s and history majors often end up as policy analysts for governments. This job
involves gathering and analyzing information to help plan, develop, and interpret new policies–
both in the government and industry.

Most policy analysts have advanced education and may hold a masters and doctorate degree. The
typical degrees are in the social sciences, political sciences, history, economics, resource
management and law.

Here‟s some advice about becoming a policy analyst:

“Gain experience by working in the private or government sector where you will be constantly
exposed to policy making. Working for a congressional or a senatorial official will also be an
advantage as well as working for nonprofit organizations such as charitable institutions and other
philanthropic organizations where company policies are very essential.”

High Paying Jobs for English Majors

12.Sales

Forget about the image of the out-going sleazy sales person. Modern selling is about nuance and
understatement. Even quiet people can become excellent sales people as they disarm buyers.

After grad school I began dabbling into the industry. It really is a cool industry filled with bright,
talented, interesting people. Plus, you can make a ton of money.

Sales involves a continual analysis of psychology and it is a vast, complex subject. Listen to
this podcast (the Advanced Selling Podcast)–to get a taste.

Best of all, most innovative sales companies hire on attitude. You don‟t need 10 years of
experience for a smart manager to see some potential in you. Selling is a special art and from
what I‟ve read, most of the really successful sales gurus come from very diverse backgrounds.

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Sales requires excellent communication skills, analysis, sensitivity, and empathy–all skills that
most bright English Majors have developed.

13.Search Engine Optimization

Search engine optimization is the technical process of helping search engines properly analyze
and „rank‟ web pages. It is a relatively new industry. And humanities majors can do very well in
SEO as they have the ability to perform excellent research and to see larger patterns in data. SEO
also requires content production and humanities majors can put their writing skills to work.

SEO is also fast-changing and so there are no colleges that really offer a degree in it. Good news
for you! Motivated, smart self-learners thrive in this space.

14.Lobbyist

In Milton‟s Paradise Lost, Satan tempts Eve with a distinct set of classical rhetorical devices.
Clearly, Satan is trained as a humanities major and also would make an excellent lobbyist.

I have no idea what exactly lobbyists do or how to break into this industry. However, this job
requires you to be articulate, intelligent, and cunning. If you are smart enough to become a
lobbyist, you are smart enough to find a way to break into this industry.

Money and power? An English major turned lobbyist is definitely a career endorsed by
SellOutYourSoul.com.

15.Investor Relations

I never knew about this job until I did some work for a company that made software for the
financial industry. In basic terms, large companies (such as Pepsi) have to keep up the public‟s
interest in their stock. For example, when the new hot startup has an IPO it will generate a lot of
interest and people run to buy the stock. But after the buzz has died down, companies need to
keep the market interested in buying and trading their stock.

So what would you do? Basically, it‟s a marketing job with a finance twist. You‟d be managing
the corporate message and story you are telling to press and investors. This involves talking to
analysts, meeting with media and investors, and establishing policies for disclosure. You would
also create presentations, write earnings releases and annual reports.

Part of your job would also be informing the board of directors with intelligence about the
company‟s shareholder base. You would also present reports on how analysts and investors
perceive the company‟s strategy (for example, an old candy company might be perceived as out-
of-touch with today‟s teen so it‟s time to launch a contest Mr. Wonka and drive up new interest
in the company stock!).

How to break into this job? This job is high paying and you‟d likely earn a very comfortable
wage as you progressed into senior roles. But you‟ll need a strong analytical ability to do this

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job. Employers will also want some financial knowledge. In my experience, though, it‟s a myth
that all English Majors are bad at math (I‟ve met some technical ones), so if that‟s you begin
with a Google Search: How to get into Investor Relations.

You can also find these people really easy as investor relations departments list their emails on
company websites. So, you might email an investor relations professional, explain your situation
and background, and ask for some tips to break into the industry.

16.Inside Sales

Large corporations often have complicated sales cycles. This means that selling isn‟t as easy as
„pitching a new client‟ and involve complicated processes and structures. There are sales people
who travel and give presentations to potential new clients. And then there are inside sales people.
These sales people prepare quotes, find supporting documentation, and execute sales campaigns.

Strong communication skills, social intelligence, and knowledge of „job-specific‟ office software
(like Excel) is needed. Break into this industry through a temp agency. Some people begin in an
administrative position and then move up in the company.

17.Stock Broker

I don‟t know exactly how you might get a job on Wall Street. But I do know that humanities
majors have become stockbrokers. As one PhD in English who now works on Wall Street put it,
“making the switch from analyzing literature to analyzing stock was easy. They both involve
analyzing fiction.”

18.eCommerce Analyst

Online marketing requires analysis. Over the past decade, tracking technology has really evolved
and most complex marketing campaigns will test, track, and measure just about every dollar they
spend online. Humanities majors can find work as eCommerce analysts.

In this job, you will be tasked with figuring out why certain campaigns are working, why people
aren‟t buying from a client‟s website, and how to help online marketing budgets bring back more
profit. Flint McGlaughlin has a PhD in philosophy and is a world-known eCommerce analyst.

This job requires intimate knowledge analytic and tracking software. You will also need to
understand the principles of online conversion (which can be learned by reading the millions of
blogs dedicated to the topic).

This is a fast-paced industry and many analysts come from various educational backgrounds.
Hard-core analysts will need mathematical ability and knowledge of statistics. But if the thought
of digging into a spreadsheet excites you, maybe this job is for you.

Pick up a web analytics guide from O‟Reilly, a publishing company respected in the space.

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Marketing Jobs for English Majors

19.Social Media Manager

Social media is here to stay. Governments, sports teams, brands, and companies need people to
run their social media programs, develop strategies, and come up with ways of engaging
customers, citizens, and fans. As humanities majors have strong communication skills, many of
us end up in these types of jobs.

How to break in? First, you need to know something about social media. So read some blogs and
books, play with the tools, and learn about the strategic side of social media and how it fits into
marketing.

Bonus! Social media is new. Better yet, many companies still hire interns and entry-level hires to
manage their social media programs. This is stupid on the side of companies, but a great
opportunity for new grads to break into the communication sector via new online channels.

Plus, governments and universities are typically slow moving and have little expertise in social
media. So take advantage of this opportunity.

20.Brand Strategist

Brand strategists typically work in marketing agencies, helping to guide big brands forward in
their markets. MBA‟s are favored in this job; however, experience, talent, and strategic brilliance
rule the marketing industry.

How to break in? Work your way up.

21.Brand Manager

Large companies hire „brand managers,‟ which are essentially creative people with
communication skills. The job involves overseeing the promotion and development of different
brand products. This is a fun, creative role and involves strategic thinking and marketing talent.

You need to have an understanding of marketing to be a brand manager. However, many English
Majors have found jobs working for big brands.

Government Jobs for English Majors

22.Communications Officer

Governments require in-house writers and communication specialists to do things like write
press releases, develop key messaging, and write speeches for government officials. I know one
writer, a published author, who works as a Communications Officer. He has a BA in English and
seems to earn a comfortable middle-class wage.

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Look for temporary positions in your local government as these are a great way to start moving
up in the government. Great pay and government connections–what more could you want?

Editing Jobs For English Majors

23.Editor

Yes, English majors can be editors. If helping to create a best-selling book appeals to you then
editing might be a good choice. There is also a lot of editing work in education. Luckily, in
editing, university degrees are required. Here is an interview on my blog with a former
Amazon.com Music Editor. It covers all you need to know about getting that first editing job.

24.Freelance Editor

This is an easy fit for English majors. Want to break into freelance editing? You, sir, are in luck.
I have an interview about getting freelance editing jobs right here.

25.Publishing

Yep. English majors can work in publishing. In fact, creativity, and attention to detail are highly
desired skills in publishing and English majors find work in this industry every year.

Getting your foot in the door? There are about a zillion articles online about breaking into
publishing. Here‟s one about how to break into publishing.

Communication Jobs

26.Non-Profit Communication Departments

Non-profits require communication specialists and many English majors build careers working
for non-profits. And yes, you will be paid. Positions vary by the size of the organization. For
example, large non-profits like the American Cancer Society or World Wildlife Federation are
basically giant corporations with million-dollar operating budgets. There are different roles and
divisions within them.

Smaller non-profits require communication help with press strategies, fundraising, donor
retention, and enlisting the help of volunteers.

In my book, I list non-profits as an excellent way to gain that essential first few months of work
experience. This is because most non-profits are under-funded and under-staffed, making them
easy places to get your first resume item.

27.Grant and Proposal Writer

Grants and proposals are an essential part of winning new business and keeping money flowing
through the door for most companies and non-profits. Humanities BAs, MAs, and PhDs in
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English have strong research skills, an aptitude for analysis, and the stomach for digging through
dense content, making grant and proposal writing an easy fit.

While vast sums of money are usually at stake, most positions prefer some experience. However,
graduate students in English have usually written and won grants during the course of their
degree and so you should leverage this. Also, smaller non-profits will gladly let you write a grant
or two for them, which can help land larger jobs.

Even if you do not remain in this job for your entire career, the ability to win new business and
money is always a valuable and highly employable skill.

28.Corporate Communications Manager/Director

As the manager or director of corporate communications, your job would be to oversee teams
that write newsletters, email campaigns, reports, press releases, articles, web content, and other
communication pieces. In recent years, having a basic understanding of how search engines
work is also often necessary as digital content is spread by search engines and people. Expect
high salaries (above $100,000 according to Spring Associates, Inc). And to break in? You‟ll need
to work your way up. Start with an internship or entry-level job in a communications department.
This can be a great job for an English PhD, although advanced degrees are not necessary.

29.In-house Marketing Department

Most successful companies have some sort of in-house marketing department. While typically
TV ads and large campaigns are sent to ad agencies, the in-house marketing department also
helps to plan and execute the company‟s marketing and communication strategy.

These jobs are pretty cushy, I hear. You don‟t have the constant deadlines found in traditional ad
agencies and the work is steady. Tasks include writing press releases, coming up with ideas to
get the company press coverage, writing brochures and whitepapers, planning and executing
ideas to generate leads and sales, working on product launches, and other marketing-related
tasks.

To break in? Look for temporary positions to start. Or start in an administrative role and then
apply internally. Don‟t overlook temp agencies as they often will help you get your foot in the
door.

Creative Jobs For English Majors

30.Advertising Creative

Humanities majors find jobs in advertising every year. Creative advertising involves writing 30-
second commercial scripts, taglines, copy for print ads, coming up with ideas for product
launches, and other creative ways to market products.

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And you don‟t need to go to ad school to become an advertising creative. All that matters in this
industry is the ability to come up with strong ideas.

How to get your first job in advertising? Read some books. Develop some samples. And be ready
to show an agency some cool ideas. You can read about how I broke into advertising, as well as
other career advice, in my e-book, How to Find a Career With Your Humanities Degree in
126 Days.

31.Event Planner

Not planning birthday parties for the drunken wives of the Beverly Hills, but working on high-
profile events such as product launches or political campaigns. This job requires communication,
social intelligence, attention to detail, and strong creative abilities. Event planning is big business
and always requires smart, new talent.

To break into this industry? You will have to work from the ground-up. Actually, I have no idea.
But send some emails to prominent companies and find out. Industries like this typically hire
more on personality than the subject you studied in school. So if it sounds like fun to you, then
go for it.

32.Television, radio, Hollywood writer

If you are an English major, then you probably deep down want to be a writer. Many English
majors end up writing Hollywood scripts, working in broadcast, or working at radio stations.

How to break in? Be a good writer and have great writing samples. As Stephen King says, “If
you lift weights 15 minutes a day, you are going to get muscles. If you write 15 minutes a day,
you are going to become a good writer.” So write.

33.Boutique Agency

Boutique agencies are small companies that typically do world-class work for big brands. They
often have a specialist product. These can be branding agencies, graphic design agencies, viral
marketing agencies, or PR firms. They are creative places with bright people working there.

Thunderdog, for example, is a L.A. agency that creates street-art inspired designs and products
for brands like Pepsi and Puma. They also sell their own limited edition books and toys. Or,
IWearYourShirt.com is a social media advertising company that uses viral tactics to gain
publicity for product launches. LaunchRock is a small marketing agency that helps tech start-ups
with their pre-launch hype.

Boutique agencies are cool. They hire for skill–not for the degree you have. So while your
English degree can help you get the job, these places are more looking for creativity, technical
skill in the area they work in, and the right attitude to fit their unique culture.

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To get a job at a boutique agency, simply write an email and sell yourself to the boss. Make sure
you research their agency, though. And make sure that you have the skills that they are looking
for.

5. Draw a mindmap of the 33 jobs mentioned in the article.

6. Work in groups of five. Each member picks up a different job. Describe it in your words
so that your classmates can guess what it is.
7. Homework: Videotape yourself talking about 5 awesome jobs you think English majors
can do in Vietnam. Make sure you include a brief description of each job and the skills it
needs.

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