[thyun]

I'm majoring in English, and I'm beginning to worry about the job opportunities there are out there for me. I mean, I go to a top 25 school, and I wonder if that matters at all. Is anyone an English major, or for that matter, just anyone, who can give me advice?

[marrymehyori]

There certainly are jobs available for english majors that would actually make some use of what you learned - newspaper and magazine editors, for example.  Tech writer, public relations, advertising, author, book/movie reviewer (though that's probably more part-time, freelance type work).  ESL instruction is in high demand in some places, both within and without the USA.

Or you could always go for a masters and teach elementary or high school, or an Ed.D. or Ph.D. and become a professor.

[versa916]

To be honest, I don't think being an english major qualifies you for a specific job that any other degree doesn't. The jobs posted above are available to all who are good at english. But with that said, since you go to a top school, I'm assuming you're smart and good at english. Have you ever considered going to law school? Or if being an attorney isn't your thing, you can get a masters and become a teacher. Other than that, there are tons of jobs that don't require a BA or if it does, it doesn't matter what your major was and you can shoot for those.

[Where-Where]

Yah... english is pretty useless. lol.
This is a bit beside the point but dont you love how when you tell anyone your major they automatically go, "ohhh, so youre going to be a teacher?"
"no."


Alright, but to my understanding english seems to be a base subject. You have to decide for yourself where your strengths and weaknesses as an english major lie and then follow through from there. If your a really really good hearted person, perhaps teaching would be good for you.
Personally, I have a good writing style (or so I have been told), excel in argumentation and an interest in making a cultural impact (even if its a negative one, kekeke) so Im going into advertising next year, or, more specifically, copywriting.
I also have english major friends pursuing all kinds of different careers. One wants to go to law school, one wants to go into nursing, another wants to be an editor and I have one who wishes to be some kind of super librarian (ok, thats how I understood it. haha. But I wasnt too interested so I dont remember the exact title).

There are lots of different opportunities out there, you just have to figure out for yourself whats best for you.

[hellboy]

You need a graduate degree in order to get a job with English degree...Being a English professor, for instance !

[FRUITYCHEESECAKE]

Three of my friends have English degrees.
One of them is working at Target, another one is a receptionist at a company and the last one has no job.
Of course, we've all graduated.
You see the point here, right?

So I hope that you are planning to get a master's or doctorate degree...or double major.

[Verest]

I noticed it says you're from New York.

Saw something about being able to teach English full-time there without a teaching certification.

Also heard that you can branch out to Finance from English for grad school.

Another idea would be Advertising with a Ph.D. <-- and there doesn't seem to be a decline in advertisers