Any english majors/teachers? Would value your help and opinions!

[phorsenuf]

My DS-17 has decided to major in English and then go into teaching or journalism or something english related. We are starting a list of colleges to check into.

So, my question is.... where did you go, did you like it, would you recommend it, why did you choose that school and what did you do with your schooling?

Thanks for helping!

 

[Hillbeans]

I'm an English Lit major and now i'm an HR supervisor.

LOL - not exactly in the same field, however I had wanted to go into editing, but at the time I was looking for a job, all of those jobs were taken and/or paid very low.

My father has been an editor for 30+ years. He's now semi-retired and works PT for a Cooking magazine. He loves his work and is very good at it. There are many great opportunities available in this field.

 

[alabamaalan]

Okay, I was a Communication major (Journalism/PR) with minors in English and Computer Science.

I worked as a news reporter for awhile but for the past 14 years have been in IT support for a state agency, so perhaps I'm not the best one to ask

Journalism/English has to be something you love to do because it is not as lucrative as other fields, but there should still be work available. In my case, I could have moved into technical writing but I'm enjoying what I am doing.

No regrets on the degree however; it still provided necessary skills for the workplace.

 

[mickeyboat]

I was an English major and went to law school.

The nice thing about English is that it is broad enough to fit in with many different fields.

Denae

 

[Toby'sFriend]

I have a BIL who was an English Major. He received a Bachelor's in English from a small Liberal Arts college and then a Masters from Case Western in Ohio. He taught Jr. High English at a small Private School for 2 years, then High School English at a Prep school for another 3 or 4 years.

He then moved into Administration and now writes Grant Proposals and does other Fundraising for the Prep School.

Along the way he has also published a few poems and short stories.

 

[Maleficent13]

I have a BA in English and currently work in healthcare. I joke that I may not be putting my major to use, but I write the best darn emails in the company!

I don't regret my choice of major, but as Alabamaalan has already said, it isn't the most lucrative of fields. If it's money he wants, I suggest a professional major, like pharmacy. If he wants to do it because he loves it, then he should go for it. A degree, no matter in what, will open career doors for him even when you least expect it.

edited to change all the "she"s to "he"s...didn't read the OP closely enough. Sorry!!

 

[lissawynn]

I have a BA in English and teach writing to eighth graders. Next year I'll be teaching seventh grade LA. I also have a MS in Educational Strategies and Development. I'll be starting classes in the fall for my principal's certificate.
I went to a small, private women's college in PA. They threw lots of free money my way, so I couldn't turn them down.
I love my job and wouldn't do anything else.

 

[CheshireVal]

I have a BA in English with a minor in Mass Communication. I chose that degree because I loved literature and writing, but didn't find it to be particularly useful after college. I worked as a newspaper reporter and freelance writer for a while but had a hard time paying the bills.

So I went back to school and got an MEd in INstructional Technology with certification as a school librarian. Worked as a librarian for a few years, didn't like it (too much paperwork, not enough time spent talking about books).


Now I work in a private school as a computer lab supervisor/debate coach and will be teaching an 8th grade Writing class next year. I actually enjoy this job!





My biggest advice is that if you want to teach, get an English Ed degree and not straight English.

 

[tar heel]

I have a Journalism degree from UNC-Chapel Hill. When you think of J Schools, there are a just a handful that are generally considered the best -- UNC, Missouri, Columbia, Northwestern, plus a few I'm forgetting. I worked as a newspaper reporter, then in college public relations before going on the mommy track. My background has been wonderful for that as I have not worked full-time in 20 years and have had about two dozen freelance clients, including one for 14+ years. Marketing campaigns and newsletter editing pay better than writing, though, so I do very little feature writing. The big minus in the field is pay, especially at the beginning. My first job paid less than my factory job the previous summer.

My dh was an English major and is a newspaper editor. We worked together way back and did several joint stories. Our conclusion is that he was a better writer than me, but I was a better reporter.

 

[Dodie]

I was an English major (B.S. English with a minor in Communications). I spent 11 years teaching high school English (my good deed for my life, I like to call it). However, things just kept getting more frustrating from a teaching point of view..."Why should Johnny have to learn Shakespeare? He's going to be a football player." "Johnny wouldn't have done that. It must be your fault." etc.

It took a couple of years, but I finally managed to transition to the business world. I am now in HR/training for a large corporation. That transition was tough though. There's (unfortunately) not a lot of respect in the business world for an ex-teacher - regardless of the strengths and talents that are so obviously required to effectively manage a classroom.

Going straight from that English degree to something in business (bypassing teaching) might be easier though. I don't know.

 

[Rock'n Robin]

I have taught HS English since 1988--have a BS in English Ed. (very appropriate degree ) and a M.Ed. in secondary Ed. I want to get my principal's certificate but going to school is hard for me since my kids have so much going on in the summer. Summers are one great reason I teach. But I can tell you that English teachers have so much more grading to do! Every time you read an essay you have to focus on grammar, content, voice, etc. and it takes a long time, so consequently you don't assign as much writing as you should. We also bear the brunt of criticism for scores on state tests, esp. the new ones where there is writing in every content area. The math, science teachers etc. think WE should work on writing in those areas, while we have our hands full with the reading and writing tests.
As soon as I find an administration program which is 50% at least online, I'll get that certificate. I just can't justify telling the kids they can't do swim team or theatre camp because I want to be an assistant principal someday. Or I can wait until DD#1 is old enough to drive in 4 years!
Robin M.

 

[SRUAlmn]

As you can see from my user id and my lovely tag, I went to Slippery Rock University in western PA. I have an education degree and a communications/journalism degree. My mom also graduated from there with a teaching degree and is now a middle school English teacher. I am doing marketing for children's programs at a health club (great use of my 2 degrees.) The school used to be a state teacher's college and has a VERY strong education program. Schools around the state favor potential teachers who have come from this school. You can major in Elementary, Early Childhood, Special Ed, or Secondary and you can specialize in a subject area. PM me if you want more info, it really is a GREAT SCHOOL!!


www.sru.edu

 

[Miss Jasmine]

First, if he is thinking about becoming a journalist, I would recommend thinking about a Journalism major (you can always do English classes as electives). The writing style is much different, plus you also learn how to interview people, and things like that. That said, I have a B.S. in Public Relations (or a B.S. in B.S., as I like to say. ) and had to take some journalism classes. The University of Florida has a wonderful College of Journalism and Communications. Okay I am a little biased, but it really is a good program.

As for what I am doing now...I am a Contracts Administrator. After college I toyed with the idea of law school and worked in a legal practice. I decided it wasn't for me at that time, but my writing and legal background made me perfect for this type of position. Also, I help with some public relations matters and I am editor of my company's newsletter (I write the articles, approve photos, but an outside source lays out the actual newsletter (I could do that, too, but don't have the time so we outsource it), and I approve the final draft). Also, everyone comes to me when they have a grammar question.

 

[Ilove8Trax]

I am graduating this August with a major in Creative Writing and minor in Communications. I do not plan on teaching, but am going to try the extremely difficult route of being a writer. The thing is though, writing is something that is a part of me and i could not imagine being anything else. The whole money thing isn't a huge concern for me right now although i do want to be able to pay my bills. Yet, i am willing to work hard and focus on my career. English majors aren't hopeless to pursue. Definately tell your son to follow what's inside (general and well known info but very useful information) and that it isn't pointless. When it comes time to graduate or even sooner, just have your son talk to professors and people in the business to know what to expect.

I plan on moving to the city (I currently reside in a smaller city in Mid-Michigan that has little appreciation of Art). Right now, i'm looking to go to Vancouver, Canada. In the city is where the work is generally for those English majors unless he is leaning towards teaching.

People love stories; English does matter in our lives.

 

[aunties]

I have a BA in English from Boston College. I chose English as my major because I love to write. I was determined to enter the publishing field (preferably children's literature) but soon realized the pay was very low and the jobs very hard to come by. I sent my resume to a hi-tech company that was looking for "an English major, computer experience helpful." At that point, I had never even logged onto a computer! Figured it would be great interview practice but ended up with the job as a technical writer/editor. Twenty years later (now you know why I had never logged onto a computer back then) and I have never looked back. It pays pretty well too! It is very interesting because the technology is always changing so there is always something new to write about. Good luck to your son. I hope that he finds a career that he will love too.

 

[Davids-Coco]

I am getting my BA with a double major in English and Arts & Letters, and a minor in Technical Writing. (Actually in two weeks, it will be MINE!) I went into it because I wanted to write, but did an internship at a publishing house and realized it wasn't something I wanted to deal with. So, my direction turned to Technical Writing.

With my degree, I will probably either work as a technical writer... my DH works at Intel and also is writing a computer game (so I would get to do something creative). The other thing is that I am using it to get my own Grant Writing consulting off the ground. I will be able to stay home with my kids and work... and only take on the work I have time to do.

I attend Portland State University. And, I liked it. It is really cheap for Oregon residents and I have to admit that I love that I am graduating without school loans! I chose it because it is close to home, has cheap college apartment housing (not really any dorms) if I wanted, and is not the typical college. We have 25,000 undergrad students and 15,000 graduate students at any given time. Quite a few students are returning students, so the age is a little different. I have had classes with people my grandparent's age. They share some great and interesting perspectives. The general requirements are something called university studies (the inquiry program). It is actually more community based and less "take a math, a science, a language, etc."If you are looking for a traditional school, PSU isn't for you. The english program is pretty cool. There are great teachers and flexability to study what interests you within the requirements.

If you do want to know more, our website is www.pdx.edu or you can PM me.

 

[Fizban257]

I have a dual Bachelors in English Lit and Mass Communications, from Bloomsburg University in Central PA. BU is a sister school to Slippery Rock with the same background (used to be a state teachers college, etc.). I also have a Masters degree in English Lit from the Catholic University of America and I'm 3 credits (1 class) from completing the course work towards my PhD (same school). I hope to be an English professor in the next few years, but right now I work as an editor (newsletters) for a trade association. If he decides to major in English, it helps to know what he wants as a concentration. I'm at CUA because of the strength of their Medieval and Byzantine program--my concentration is, of course, the highly useful Medieval Literature.

 

[Micca]

I just wanted to say that I think a degree in English is an honorable and valuable thing. So many of us don't speak, or write it all that well, never mind the literature aspect of it. All the best.

 

[Rock'n Robin]

Fizban, just have to say WOW to you for concentrating in medeival lit.! Is that Anglo-Saxon AND middle ages, or just middle ages? They are two distinct periods in the textbook we use for British Lit.
Robin M.

 

[Kermit]

I have a degree in English and was a technical writer/editor before I became a mom. I went to Clemson University. They have a Masters program in professional communications that's one of the best. I didn't end up getting a Masters, as I was engaged and couldn't hear much over my biological clock ticking so loudly , but the program is good for undergrads, too.

My first job out of college ended up being in tech support at a software company. I know it's always hard to get that first job, but it can be especially hard as a writer because most companies only have one or two on staff and can't take a chance with a beginner. Anyway, working in tech support was a great start. After that, I worked in the Documentation department at the same company, writing manuals for the software and creating the online help. Then I got a job at a computer magazine working as an editor and staff writer. I've also gotten a lot of contract jobs here and there. People always need writers.

I love tech writing. It was a great way for me to major in something I loved, and then I was actually able to make money with it. If I had been more career-oriented, I'd probably be working as a contractor right now and charging at least $70/hour.