English

ENGLISH

WRITING/EDITING

Creative Writing
Journalism
Free-lance
Technical Writing

Employers

Newspapers
Magazines
Broadcast media companies including television and movie industry
Trade, professional, or consumer publications
Internet sites
Advertising agencies
Large corporations
Government agencies
Colleges and universities
Technical industries

Strategies

Select elective coursework in a particular area of interest. Write for campus publications such as college newspapers, magazines, or departmental/program newsletters. Develop speaking and debate skills. Volunteer to assist or tutor students in a writing center. For technical writing positions obtain a concentration in technical writing. Take science and/or computer courses to gain knowledge about technical areas and trends. Become familiar with the proposal writing and submission process involved in freelance writing.

EDUCATION

Employers

Public schools
Private schools
Colleges and universities
Libraries
Private learning centers

Strategies

Acquire computer skills. Gain volunteer experience with Big Brother/Sister program, tutoring, sports, summer camps, teen counseling, child care centers, or with other special populations. Participate in school activities such as debate, literary club, campus publications, student government, alumni relations, and admissions. Obtain appropriate state certification for public school teaching.
A graduate degree is required for post-secondary teaching. Earn certification to teach multiple subjects/age groups for increased job opportunities.

PUBLISHING

Editing
Advertising
Sales
Circulation
Production
Publicity

Employers

Special interest magazines
Trade magazines
Associational and organizational magazines
Sunday newspaper supplements
Educational and professional books
Religious books and magazines
Other book publishers

Strategies

Obtain summer internship in an area of the publishing industry. Participate in summer publishing institute. Develop word processing and editing skills. Work on student publications. Conduct an informational interview with or shadow a professional in the publishing industry.

ADVERTISING

Creative
Media
Research

Employers

Advertising agencies
In-house agencies of large companies

Strategies

Demonstrate talent, persistence, assertiveness, and enthusiasm. Be prepared to start in an entry-level position. Obtain strong statistics background for market research positions. Create portfolio of writing and ideas showing originality and imagination for creative or advertising positions. Gain knowledge of various media, contemporary tastes, and trends. Obtain campus newspaper, TV, or radio experience. Participate in sales and promotions in student organizations or private businesses. Complete an internship in a market research firm or advertising agency. Supplement curriculum with courses in business, art, or graphic design.

PUBLIC RELATIONS

Research
Writing
Editing
Media

Employers

Public relations firms
Advertising agencies
In-house public relations departments
Trade associations
Colleges and universities
Nonprofit organizations
Government agencies

Strategies

Obtain internship or other relevant work experience. Develop strong research skills, public speaking ability, enthusiasm, and interpersonal skills. Supplement curriculum with business courses. Become an effective team member by working on group projects for campus organizations.

LAW

Employers

Law firms
Corporate legal departments
Government agencies
Public service agencies

Strategies

Develop strong organizational skills and attention to detail. Become skillful in debate and public speaking. Organize campus events, speakers, or political rallies. Obtain summer or part-time work in a law firm. Complete special training requirements for paralegal positions. Attend law school and earn a law degree to become an attorney.

BUSINESS/INDUSTRY

Management
Sales
Marketing
Human Resources
Insurance: Claims, Underwriting

Employers

Business organizations including banks, real estate agencies, insurance firms, and large and small corporations
Retailers including department, grocery, drug, specialty, variety, and book stores

Strategies

Obtain a business minor. Gain work experience through part-time jobs, internships, or relevant volunteer work. Secure leadership roles in campus organizations. Join student professional associations. Develop strong analytical and computer skills. Gain experience as financial officer or treasurer of a campus organization.

GENERAL INFORMATION

A major in English can be good preparation for continued graduate or professional training in areas such as English, law, political science/government, public administration, psychology, counseling, communications, and religious studies (i.e., seminary).
Develop a specialty area of interest via additional coursework and/or work experience for greater marketability within that specific career field.
Save samples of written work to be used for a portfolio.
Be prepared to 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.
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.
For careers in advertising or public relations be prepared to begin in an entry-level position.
A bachelor's degree in English is sufficient for many entry level positions in business and industry.
Appropriate teacher certification is required for public school teaching.
A graduate degree is required for teaching at the college or university level.

Materials Provided by the Career Planning staff of Career Services at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville. (2005) UTK is an EEO/AA/Title VI/Title IX/Section 504/ADA /ADEA Employer