Career Paths for English Majors

English majors can use their understanding of grammar, narrative, and rhetoric to teach English Language Arts at the elementary level. You’ll help students build foundational literacy skills, develop as writers, and strengthen critical thinking and communication skills.

To teach English in elementary school, you generally need a bachelor’s degree in elementary education or a degree in English plus a teaching credential. You can bolster your English credentials by taking elective courses in literature and writing.

Middle school English teachers guide students through reading fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. Drawing on their expertise in literary analysis and communication, they help middle schoolers develop strong analytical and writing skills.

Public school teachers generally need to complete a teacher preparation program. Your English degree can meet the subject-area requirements for a teaching license and endorsement in language arts.

English majors who become high school teachers help students prepare for the workforce and college. In addition to core language and writing classes, high school language arts teachers also teach advanced placement, drama, creative writing, and other courses.

High school teachers at public schools need a state-issued license or certification. You can complete your state’s requirements with a teacher preparation program or a master’s in education.

Thanks to their strong understanding of language, English majors can teach English to non-native speakers. EFL teachers, sometimes called English as a second language (ESL) teachers, can work in K-12 schools, colleges, and online settings. And if you’re interested in working overseas, this could be a good fit — some EFL teachers travel abroad to teach English to learners in non-English speaking countries.

English majors can pursue teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL) certification or take courses in literacy strategies or second language acquisition. Experience with a second language can also help EFL teachers connect with learners, though fluency is not usually a requirement. Some employers may require a degree specifically in English language teaching.

College professors in the English department teach undergraduate and graduate classes. They also conduct research and publish scholarship. If you loved earning a bachelor’s in English, pursuing an academic career could be a good option.

Nearly half of English majors continue their studies at the graduate level, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Earning a doctorate in English develops expertise in a specialty such as literature, linguistics, or literary theory.

An English degree strengthens your grasp of grammar, syntax, and critical thinking, all key skills for journalism careers. While a bachelor’s degree in English could lead to entry-level roles, some employers prefer or require you to hold a graduate degree in English.

With the rise of online media, you’ll also benefit from a program that emphasizes writing technologies, digital rhetoric, or content creation. Tailoring your studies to these areas can give you a competitive edge in today’s digital-first media landscape.

Technical writing is one of the highest-paying careers for English majors. As a technical writer, you’ll communicate complex information in understandable language. In addition to creating instruction manuals and guides, you’ll work closely with tech professionals to support users.

While earning your English degree, look for classes in technical communication and business writing to develop the skills you’ll need as a technical writer. Pursuing an internship can also help you gain real-world technical writing experience.

Copywriters, novelists, speechwriters, and playwrights share something in common: a strong command of the English language. You can draw on your literary talents, rhetorical abilities, and creativity to become a writer or author with your English degree.

Whether you’re creating online content, writing biographies, or crafting scripts, a background in English can give you a communication edge. An internship or concentration in a writing-focused field can also help you become a writer.

If your strengths include grammar, fact-checking, or research, working as an editor could be a good fit. Editors revise material for publication to make sure that drafts follow editorial policies and connect with readers. In publishing, editors may also read manuscripts and support authors through the publishing process.

Working for your college paper in an editorial role or completing an editorial internship can give you an edge as you launch your career as an editor.

English majors hone their analytical, research, and communication skills. If you’re interested in the legal field but not law school, you may be able to become a paralegal with an English degree. Paralegals conduct legal research, draft legal documents, and organize evidence for trials.

The reading and comprehension focus of English courses offers a strong general foundation. Undergrads can take courses that cover legal writing, logic, or textual analysis to develop the skills for paralegal careers. Some colleges offer programs in paralegal studies if your ultimate career goal is to become a paralegal.

Are you fluent in another language? Working as an interpreter or translator will put your communication skills to the test. An English degree can give you the sensitivity to style and tone that good interpreters and translators bring to their careers.

Bilingual English majors can also find opportunities as a literary translator, transforming books written in foreign languages for English-speaking audiences.

Training and development careers blend teaching and business, offering a good fit for English majors. This human resources role develops learning material, delivers training sessions, and assesses the impact of development programs. Businesses rely on training and development professionals to upskill their workforce, and an English degree’s focus on communication and evaluation aligns well with these careers.

English majors also benefit from career advancement opportunities. Experience or a master’s degree can help training and development specialists to move into higher-paying roles, such as training and development manager.

Tone, message, and audience sit at the core of literary analysis. English majors with these skills find public relations a natural fit. Public relations specialists draft press releases, communicate with the media, and write speeches. And PR has a purpose — to shape public opinion and build a positive brand identity.

Many English programs offer a concentration or electives in public relations, which can help undergrads prepare for careers in this growing field.

While PR specialists draft materials, public relations managers craft the strategy. They identify target audiences, offer a PR perspective on advertising efforts, and develop brand narratives. Managers may also specialize in digital PR, corporate communications, or crisis management.

English majors who gain experience in PR can move into these high-paying roles. A master’s in English, public relations, or communication can also benefit you in this field.

With their attention to target audiences and persuasive writing techniques, English majors often succeed in advertising and marketing. While advertising and marketing programs develop the most applicable skills for them, these in-demand careers also draw on the research and storytelling skills of English grads.

Careers as an advertising, promotion, or marketing manager typically require experience or a master’s degree. Experience in sales, market research analysis, or public relations can help English majors pursue this career.