WHAT CAN I DO WITH A MAJOR IN...

ENGLISH LANGUAGE & LITERATURE

www.sc.edu/career

eng·lish

1. The Germanic language of the British Isles

2. English language, composition, and literature as offered as a course of study in school*

* "english." Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1). Random House, Inc. 24 Jul. 2009. <Dictionary.com http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/english>.

lit·er·a·ture

A body of written works. The name has traditionally been applied to those imaginative works of poetry and prose distinguished by the intentions of their authors and the perceived aesthetic excellence of their execution. Literature may be classified according to a variety of systems, including language, national origin, historical period, genre, and subject matter.*

* literature. © Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc.. Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/literature (accessed: July 27, 2009).

English Majors Are

• Analytical and critical thinkers• Intense examiners of language and

literature• Excellent interpreters of written ideas • Culturally and historically aware• Well-versed in various writing and literature

styles• Clear communicators of their ideas in both

writing and speech

...and more

Specializations

• Writing, Editing, and Publishing• Technical Writing• Education• Advertising and Public Relations• Business Administration and

Management

1. Writing, Editing, & Publishing

• An area focusing on creativity, the precise use of language, and details. Further specialization may lead to writing your own works of fact of fantasy, proofing the quality and style of someone else’s writing, or managing the logistical and business side of print media.

• Prepares one to be a writer or detail oriented business manager within the world of print.

2. Technical Writing

• An area focusing on the production of printed materials related to consumer goods and services. Requires the writer to use creativity along with detail specific language and an understanding of sociology and technology.

• Prepares one to write and develop printed materials for use with consumer goods and services as well as the sciences.

3. Education

• Prepares professionals to educate students. The level of teaching varies with specialization and certification but can include general studies with pre-school through elementary school age children or concentrated language, literature, and composition instruction with middle and high school age students. Teaching at the college level requires an advanced degree.

4. Advertising & Public Relations

• Advertising is centered around the marketing and promotion of products to consumers. Professionals study the effects of social and market trends effect sales and the image of a product.

• Public relations deals with the building and maintain of relationships among different parties which can be used to bolster business or image.

5. Business Administration & Management

• An area where the language, literature, research, synthesis, and critical thinking skills of an English degree can be extracted for use in business settings with a need for writers, researchers, and critical thinkers capable of developing business strategies.

• Prepares one for work in a variety of areas including the financial, marketing, sales, and real estate sectors.

English Language & Literature At The University Of South

CarolinaUndergraduate OptionsDegrees: Bachelor of Arts (BA)Majors: English• general major: broad knowledge of literature

and composition• intensive major: tailored to those planning to

pursue graduate study in English and/or American Literature

• writing concentration: places special emphasis on advanced composition

Minors: English

English Language & Literature At The University Of South

CarolinaGraduate Degrees

• Master of Arts (MA) in EnglishOffers an emphasis in English and American Literature or Composition and Rhetoric.

• Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT)Prepares and certifies students for teaching in public high schools.

• Interdisciplinary Master of Arts (IMA)For students who have already earned a teaching certificate.

English Language & Literature At The University Of South

CarolinaGraduate Degrees (continued)• Master of Arts (MA) in English & Master of

Library & Information Sciences (MLIS) (Joint Degree)

• Master of Arts (MA) in English & Master of Science (MS) in Business Administration (Joint Degree)

• Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Creative Writingspecializations: poetry, fiction, writing for the media.

• Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in English, emphasis in: Composition and Rhetoric, English & American Literature

English Majors Develop Skills In

• Writing creatively and concisely

• Creating persuasive messages

• Using precise language• Assessing an audience• Presenting specific

viewpoints• Drafting documents

• Defining problems• Establishing hypotheses• Gathering information

and research• Using original sources• Interpreting data• Summarizing and

presenting information

English Majors Develop Skills In

• Thinking independently• Reading critically• Understanding

components of complex problems

• Editing

• Comparing and contrasting

• Synthesizing themes• Summarizing ideas• Perceiving patterns and

structures• Evaluating results

Employment Settings

• Business/Industry: Includes the financial, sales, real estate, construction, and manufacturing industries along with the writers of scientific journals and advertising campaigns.

Sample Occupational Titles Associated With

Business/Industry

• Account Executive• Advertising Copywriter• Communications

Director• Credit Lender• City Manager• Financial Analyst• Insurance Agent

• Investment Counselor• Literary Agent • Market Research

Analyst• Operations Manager• Real Estate Broker• Sales Representative• Technical Writer• Underwriter

Employment Settings

• Communications: Includes the theater, movie, radio, television, and amusement park entertainment industries as well as popular press and Internet publications. Public/media relations professionals, editors, and publishers also work within this setting.

Sample Occupational Titles Associated With Communications

• Author• Magazine Publisher• Copywriter• Editor• Information Abstractor• Journalist• Media Liaison• Programming Director

• Public Relations Account Manager

• Publicist• Radio Producer • Researcher• Screenwriter • Speech Writer• Television Reporter• Desktop Publisher

Employment Settings

• Education: Includes primary and secondary teachers, librarians, admissions representatives, audio-visual specialists, and some aspects of the publishing industry.

Sample Occupational Titles Associated With Education

• Admissions Representative

• Curriculum Writer• Drama Instructor• Educational

Administrator• English as a Second

Language Teacher• Librarian

• Performance Coach • Pre-School Teacher • Primary Teacher • Program Specialist • Special Education

Instructor• Text Author• Training Specialist• Tutor

Employment Settings

• Government/Nonprofit: Includes speech writers, researchers, legislative aides, campaign managers, policy writers, and press secretaries working in local, state, and national levels of government. This work setting also includes paralegals, social workers, grant writers, and marketing directors.

Sample Occupational Titles Associated With

Government/Nonprofit

• City Manager• Elected Official• Fundraising Coordinator• Human Services

Director• Legislative Aide• Lobbyist• Media Relations Liaison

• Grant Writer • Paralegal• Program Administrator • Policy Analyst • Social Welfare

Examiner• Social Worker • Speech Writer

Distribution Of Employed Persons With A Bachelor’s Degree In

English, By Sector

Government/ Military, 10%

Self-Employed, 14%

Education, 27%

Non-Profit, 7%

Private-for-profit, 42%

TOP 10 Occupations That Employ Persons With Only A Bachelor’s Degree In English

1 Broadcasters, writers, public relations specialists

2 Top and mid-level managers, executives, administrators

3 Teachers, secondary

4 Insurance, securities, real estate, business services

5 Receptionists, typists

6 Sales (including retail)

7 Other management related occupations

8 Other administrative occupations (ie. record clerk)

9 Teachers, elementary

10 Other service occupations (except health)Source: Fogg, N.P, Harrington, P.E. & Harrington, T.F, (2004). College Majors Handbook (2nd ed). Indianapolis, IN: Jist Publishing.

Strategies For Developing Skills To Get The Job You

Want• Select a wide variety of

electives• Write for on-campus

publications• Develop speaking and

debating skills• Write and edit reports• Take basic science and

computer courses

• Gain knowledge about technical areas and trends

• Minor in business or other secondary areas of interest

• Volunteer at the local newspaper or television station

Strategies For Developing Skills To Get The Job You

Want

• Develop typing or work processing skills

• Develop typing/word process skills

• Obtain a solid statistics background for research

• Intern or co-op in the marketing, advertising, or publishing

• Create a writing portfolio showing originality and variety of style

• Gain knowledge of various media, contemporary tastes and trends

• Demonstrate enthusiasm and persistence

Books And Web Resources

BooksGreat jobs for English majors – Julie DeGalan

Careers in business – by Lila B. Stair

Web ResourcesNational Employment Bulletin – http://www.graduatejobs.com/

Resources For More Information

USC’s Department of Englishhttp://www.cas.sc.edu/engl/

Career Center Libraryhttp://www.sc.edu/career/Library/library.html

Related Websiteshttp://www.sc.edu/career/la/llc.html

CAS Career Development Websitewww.sc.edu/career/cascdp/

Career Center Contact Information

University of South Carolina Career Center6th Floor, H. William Close Building (BA Building)Columbia, SC 29208Phone: 803-777-7280On-call counseling without an appointment: M - F, 1:00 am - 4:00 pm (Summer and holiday hours may differ, please check the website at www.sc/edu/career)