Excellent oral and written communication skills are essential to any field. The study of English develops writing, researching, editing, organizational, and analytical skills that are essential for many different jobs. Employers understand the value of effective research and communication skills and seek out applicants who have these abilities. A person who is able to look at sources critically, compare and contrast information, produce clear analyses, and think independently is considered valuable.

English majors are well prepared to enter careers in business, government, publishing, and education, or to pursue graduate and professional training in areas such as law or journalism.

English is an asset in business:

“The business community today is afloat in spreadsheets and computer runs and graphs and trend charts. But the best ideas in the world cannot be implemented unless they can be communicated, and the most innovative products and services cannot be developed or sold unless their benefits are known to others. Ironically, the rush to technology in the business world has created even greater needs for those who understand and appreciate the concept, the big picture, and for those who can effectively communicate those ideas to others.”

-retired lobbyist, Marathon Oil

“Before I retired from a rewarding career in private business, I oversaw the hiring of many employees. Each had a resume full of educational accomplishments; the most appealing candidates displayed a diverse background with multiple majors or minors. Obviously, education in traditional business courses is important, but so is the ability to display educational diversity. A well-rounded person offers potential that a single-focused individual cannot match, and, other things being approximately equal, the hiring edge always goes to the multi-faceted individual.”

-James Wilkins, Findlay, Ohio

Skills You Gain
Communication Influencing and persuading Assessing audience Presenting alternative views Clarifying ideas Making oral presentations Honing ideas from generalities into specifics Research Designing/directing projects Organizing ideas/information Developing hypotheses Solving problems Evaluating resources Comparing interpretations	Critical Thinking and Analysis Comparing information Using theoretical approaches Developing critical evaluations Thinking independently Synthesizing ideas/themes Close reading & interpretation Writing Abstracting information Interpreting data Drafting documents Editing Writing concisely Writing creatively
Possible Careers
Advertising Copywriter  Analyst  Attorney  Author  Book Seller  Bookstore Manager  College Professor  Columnist  Copywriter Critic  Desktop Publisher  Editor, Film/Video  Editor, Magazine or Newspaper  Editorial Assistant  ESL Teacher  Fact Checker  Foreign Correspondent  Freelance Writer/Consultant  Fundraiser  Grant Writer  Greeting Card Writer  Human Resource Specialist  Journalist  Lawyer  Legal Assistant  Librarian  Literary Agent  Magazine Writer  Manuscript Reader  Marketing Specialist  Novelist Paralegal  Playwright  Poet  Proofreader  Public Relations Specialist  Public Speaker  Publisher Radio-TV Commentator  Special Events Coordinator  Sales Representative  School Administrator  Speech Writer  Script Reader  Social Worker  Special Events Coordinator  Sports Writer  Reporter  Research Assistant Technical Writer Teacher
For further reference Great Jobs for English Majors by Julie Degalan (McGraw-Hill/Contemporary Books; 2nd edition, 2000) Careers for Writers and Others Who Have a Way with Words by Robert Bly (McGraw-Hill; 2nd edition, 2003) Careers for Bookworms & Other Literary Types, 3rd Edition by Marjorie Eberts, Margaret Gisler  (McGraw-Hill/Contemporary Books; 3rd edition, 2002)