What can you do with a Bachelors in English?

[allison443]

I have a bachelor's degree in English, I went to law school right after college.

One of my kids has a bachelor's in English, but she has a concentration in Business/Technical Writing. She graduated in 2009 and got a job as a communications assistant in the communications department of a health insurance company. She is now the assistant director of communications there.

 

[NYC Newlywed]

The question isn't necessarily what does one do with an English degree, the question is more, what does she want to do and how will the English degree help her - and answering questions like that is something one learns with an English degree, lol!!

THIS!

I graduated in 2011 with a BA in English. I knew I wanted to go into publishing and that's what I've done (I'm in the publicity-side of things for a big publisher in NYC, but you could do a wide variety of jobs within publishing).

That said, English is great for law and marketing like many said, but more than anything it's a great all-encompassing major that can lead you on almost any path you choose. She's going to be great at communicating (both with writing and verbally), reading, and learning, and employers definitely notice that. As long as she positions herself well and starts looking for experience in whatever she hopes to do now, I think she'll do just fine. At this point in her college career, I'd definitely recommend that she look for internships and do those while she can; that way she'll have some great experience for her resume before she even graduates.

 

[starry_solo]

Being from CA, I would suggest anything other than law school at this point. In this state, we have a glut of attorneys without jobs (some having graduated within the past 3-4 years). Perhaps other states have better prospects for lawyer jobs?

What I would suggest looking at is:
1. What contacts do you have in whatever field you or your child want to eventually end up in;
2. Whether those contacts will still be around whenever graduation rolls around;
3. Internships to make contacts (some internships can be paid but right now, with the economy, a lot are unpaid).

 

[littleelf]

In our area, there are a lot of civil service jobs that just require a bachelor's and the ability to take a test. And the Spanish would definitely give her an edge in many areas and fields.

 

[jahber]

I have a BA in English (specifically medieval literature). I chose that because it's what interested me. But I was also premed and minored in education and was 1 credit from a minor in chemistry (because of the pre-med). I went to grad school for my masters, too. When I graduated I wrote software training courses (tech writing), then I taught at public and private schools, then I was an administrator and curriculum designer. Right now I homeschool my children. I may also go back to school to be a midwife one day. Being a doctor ended up being too restrictive for the lifestyle I wanted (being an ob makes it hard to have kids and a family life as a mom). BUT, I'm glad I diversified in college and took all the science courses. All that to say, you can do all sorts of things with an English degree, but I would always recommend a minor in something else to make yourself more marketable.

 

[Disneefun]

This book might help: "I'm An English Major Now What?"

http://www.amazon.com/Im-English-Major-Now-What/dp/1582973628/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1389820002&sr=8-1&keywords=english+major+now+what

 

[LiloH]

I majored in English 15 years and and am an IT director. The CIO where I work was also an undergrad English major long before I was. I got into IT via my campus job in college. The leg up that my degree has given me is that I can communicate well, particularly in writing. That is something most technical people struggle with.

To the point that others made- experience is usually way more important than the discipline of the degree. Also, what does she want to do? That is probably the most important thing.

 

[si-am]

You can do a lot with an English degree but it's going to be low-paying, entry level jobs. Think advertising, marketing. A journalism minor would open up a lot more possibilities, although again probably low-paying. It's one of those fields where you really need to follow through with a Masters, unless you're incredibly lucky.

 

[BadgerGirl84]

I have a BA in English and History and I graduated in 2006.

I was planning on going to get my MFA in creative writing and teaching. I applied at a software company right after graduating with my BA for a technical writing position--I wanted to earn some money for a year before grad school. I interviewed and was offered my choice of jobs...technical writer or project manager. The latter paid more so I took it. I ended up really liking it and I still work in IT to this day. It has been a wonderful career that has given me tons of flexibility...I currently work three days a week from my home and have the rest of the week with DD.

I don't regret getting my degree in English because that's what I was interested at the time and I've done well in my career.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[BadgerGirl84]

You can do a lot with an English degree but it's going to be low-paying, entry level jobs. Think advertising, marketing. A journalism minor would open up a lot more possibilities, although again probably low-paying. It's one of those fields where you really need to follow through with a Masters, unless you're incredibly lucky.

Not necessarily. My first job right out of college with my English degree paid really well...more than my friends in nursing or engineering. Many companies are just looking for bright, energetic recent grads from good schools. Their major is often irrelevant.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[Pesky]

It's actually a pretty versatile degree because English focuses on analytical skills which are naturally applicable to a number of fields.
* law school or paralegal work
* technical writing
* communications
* PR
* advertising
* journalism

As others have said, the degree itself isn't the stopping point to what she can do with it. Really depends on her interests and desires.

 

[tasha99]

I have a BA in English. I worked in a call center after graduating, and then as a legal assistant. I ended up going back to school for my Masters, and work as an slp now.