How often do Humanities students hear, “What are you going to do with that after graduation?” People seem to assume that these degrees do not lead to a job, but there ARE opportunities out there for liberal arts students.
It seems to happen all the time that family and friends ask if you’re going to be a teacher. If you’re not, it can get a little annoying that they think there’s only one thing to do with your degree. As an English major, this happens to me constantly. Hearing speculations over and over about the lack of jobs can make the future seem bleak. However, there are actually plenty of options open to you.
Studying English develops very transferable skills. The command of language required is useful in many fields that many students do not immediately think of when considering applying for jobs, such as public relations. It’s also a common undergraduate degree for students applying to law school.
Some of the most popular careers are in publishing. You can be a proofreader, a managing editor, or an editorial assistant at a publishing company. Publishing is a competitive field, so check out summer internships to build up your resume.
The federal government has many positions in communications. Many different departments hire in telecommunications, public affairs, visual information, technical writing and editing, and many other fields. Check out MakingtheDifference.org to find information and resources about jobs and internships in the federal government.
A major incentive for working in government is their student loan repayment funding. Agencies are authorized to help repay up to $10,000 of a loan per year, up to $60,000 total per employee. This program is great for any newly-graduated students.
English as a Second Language (ESL) could be another direction to take your career. You could teach in the United States or abroad, even just for a few years before graduate school or to see the world before pursuing a different career path.
Remember, just because you major in a field of interest doesn’t mean you won’t get a job. Explore career options at our office, and you’ll finally be able to tell your relatives about all the careers that are open to you.
Check out these resources for additional career options and resources:
http://uncw.edu/career/WhatCanIDoWithaMajorIn.html
http://whatcanidowiththismajor.com/major/majors/
Written by Sara Schumacher, a sophomore majoring in English and the Event Planning Intern at L&S Career Services.
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