English
The study of English opens doors to many careers. English majors develop highly valued skills in oral and written communication, and the ability to think creatively as well as analytically.
While English graduates have many opportunities for employment in fields that are "literary" in nature, they are by no means limited to these. This major is considered excellent preprofessional training for careers in law and administration. Law schools and MBA programs consistently place high value on the qualities developed in the English major: broad humane understanding as well as articulateness. These qualities are also highly valued in training for federal service, public policy, and health services, in addition to the better known options of teaching and library science.
Representative Job Titles and Areas of Specialization
| Acquisitions Editor * | Journalist * | | Advertising Copywriter | Managing Editor * | | Assistant Editor | Media Analyst | | Broadcaster | Playwright | | Bureau Chief * | Production Assistant | | Communications Specialist | Professor/Instructor/Teacher * | | Continuity Writer | Program Director * | | Copy Editor | Public Information Officer | | Copywriter | Public Relations Assistant | | Developmental Editor * | Research/Writer | | Editor * | Scenario Editor | | Editorial Assistant | Scriptwriter | | Editorial Researcher | Senior Editor | | Editorial Writer * | Staff Writer | | Grant Or Proposal Writer | Technical Writer |
* See Training section
Nature of the Work
It is difficult to summarize the work of those with a degree in English due to the broad array of career options they pursue. Presented below are brief sketches of occupations that require the English major's skills in communication and analysis.
Production assistant, editorial assistant and copy writer are examples of entry-level positions in publishing. Production assistants clip stories that come over the wire services' printers, answer phones, and make copies of material for news writers, editors, and program directors. They review copy for errors in grammar, punctuation, and spelling. They check manuscripts for readability, style, and agreement with editorial policy. Editorial assistants perform research for writers and verify facts, dates, and statistics. They may help prepare material for publication or broadcast by arranging page layouts of articles, photographs, and advertising or by planning the use of films. They may also compose headlines, prepare copy for typesetters, and proofread the printer's galleys. Some editorial assistants read and evaluate manuscripts submitted by freelance writers or answer letters about published or broadcast material. Copywriters write advertising copy for use by publication or broadcast media to promote the sale of goods and services.
Technical writers put scientific and technical information into readily understandable language. They may prepare engineering manuals, catalogs, parts lists, instructional materials and engineering reports. Technical writers often are part of a team, working closely with scientists, engineers, accountants, and others.
Places of Employment
Again, it is important to point out that English graduates are found working for a broad array of employers in non-literary as well as literary careers in business, industry and government. Nearly half of those in writing and editing positions work for newspapers, magazines, and book publishers. Substantial numbers also work on journals and newsletters published by business and nonprofit organizations, such as professional associations, labor unions, and religious organizations. Others write and edit advertising and public relations materials for advertising agencies, public relations firms, and large corporations. Some also work in radio and television broadcasting; others develop publications for federal, state, and local governments.
Thousands of others work as freelancers writing articles, books and, less commonly, television and movie scripts. Wildest dreams of riches and fame can come true for writers, but most support themselves primarily with income from other sources.
Technical writers generally work for firms manufacturing aircraft, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and computer and other electronic equipment. Firms in the energy, communications, and computer software fields also employ many technical writers.
Training
Many of the jobs listed above may be obtained with a bachelor's degree, depending heavily on the type of coursework completed and experience gained while in school. Those job titles designated by an asterisk generally require specific education and/or experience beyond the bachelor's degree.
All prospective writers need practical writing experience and must be able to express ideas clearly and logically. Other valuable skills include creativity, intellectual curiosity, a broad range of knowledge, self-motivation, and perseverance. Editors must develop good judgment in deciding what material to accept and what to reject. They must also have tact and the ability to guide and encourage others in their work.
Technical writers serve many diverse industries, and most employers prefer some appropriate technical background, e.g., coursework in engineering, computer science, or applied science, as well as knowledge and experience in the craft of writing.
Valuable experience can be gained while a student through coursework, summer and part-time jobs, volunteer work, academic internships and participation in extracurricular activities on campus.
For further information and/or career counseling contact the Career Center, Veitch Student Center, Northwest Wing, University of California, Riverside, 951.827.3631.
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