ENGLISH …

                                         ENGLISH
                       What can I do with this degree?
               AREAS                  EMPLOYERS                                           STRATEGIES
WRITING/EDITING
Creative Writing       Newspapers                                       Select elective coursework in a particular area of
Journalism             Magazines                                            interest.
Free-lance             Broadcast media companies including television   Write for campus publications such as college
Technical Writing          and movie industry                               newspapers, magazines, or departmental/program
                       Trade, professional, or consumer publications        newsletters
                       Internet sites                                   Develop speaking and debate skills.
                       Advertising agencies                             Volunteer to assist or tutor students in a writing center.
                       Large corporations                               For technical writing positions obtain a concentration in
                       Government agencies                                  technical writing. Take science and/or computer
                       Colleges and universities                            courses to gain knowledge about technical areas and
                       Technical industries                                 trends.
                                                                        Become familiar with the proposal writing and submission
                                                                            process involved in freelance writing.
EDUCATION
                       Public schools                                   Acquire computer skills.
                       Private schools                                  Gain volunteer experience with Big Brother/Sister program,
                       Colleges and universities                            tutoring, sports, summer camps, teen counseling,
                       Libraries                                            child care centers, or wih other special populations.
                       Private learning centers                         Participate in school activities such as debate, literary
                                                                            club, campus publications, student government,
                                                                            alumni relations, and admissions.
                                                                        Obtain appropriate state certification for public school
                                                                            teaching.
                                                                        A graduate degree is required for post-secondary
                                                                            teaching.
                                                                        Earn certification to teach multiple subjects/age groups
                                                                            for increased job opportunities.

PUBLISHING
Editing                Special interest magazines                       Obtain summer internship in an area of the publishing
Advertising            Trade magazines                                      industry.
Sales                  Associational and organizational magazines       Participate in summer publishing institute.
Circulation            Sunday newspaper supplements                     Develop word processing and editing skills.
Production             Educational and professional books               Work on student publications.
Publicity              Religious books and magazines                    Conduct an informational interview with or shadow a
                       Other book publishers                                professional in the publishing industry.
(English, Page 2)

                AREAS                 EMPLOYERS                                    STRATEGIES

ADVERTISING
Creative                Advertising agencies                     Demonstrate talent, persistence, assertiveness, and
Media                   In-house agencies of large companies         enthusiasm.
Research                                                         Be prepared to start in an entry-level position.
                                                                 Obtain strong statistics background for market research
                                                                     positions.
                                                                 Create portfolio of writing and ideas showing originality and
                                                                     imagination for creative or advertising positions.
                                                                 Gain knowledge of various media, contemporary tastes,
                                                                     and trends.
                                                                 Obtain campus newspaper, TV, or radio experience.
                                                                 Participate in sales and promotions in student
                                                                     organizations or private businesses.
                                                                 Complete an internship in a market research firm or
                                                                     advertising agency.
                                                                 Supplement curriculum with courses in business, art, or
                                                                     graphic design.
PUBLIC RELATIONS
Research                 Public relations firms                  Obtain internship or other relevant work experience.
Writing                  Advertising agencies                    Develop strong research skills, public speaking ability,
Editing                  In-house public relations departments      enthusiasm, and interpersonal skills.
Media                    Trade associations                      Supplement curriculum with business courses.
                         Colleges and universities               Become an effective team member by working on group
                         Nonprofit organizations                    projects for campus organizations.
                         Government agencies

LAW
                          Law firms                               Develop strong organizational skills and attention to
                          Corporate legal departments                 detail.
                          Government agencies                     Become skillful in debate and public speaking.
                          Public service agencies                 Organize campus events, speakers, or political rallies.
                                                                  Obtain summer or part-time work in a law firm.
                                                                  Complete special training requirements for paralegal
                                                                      positions.
                                                                  Attend law school and earn a law degree to become an
                                                                      attorney.
(English, Page 3)

                 AREAS                                         EMPLOYERS                                               STRATEGIES

BUSINESS/INDUSTRY
Management                                      Business organizations including banks, real          Obtain a business minor.
Sales                                              estate agencies, insurance firms, and large        Gain work experience through part-time jobs, internships,
Marketing                                          and small corporations                                 or relevant volunteer work.
Human Resources                                 Retailers including department, grocery, drug,        Secure leadership roles in campus organizations.
Insurance                                          speciality, variety, and book stores               Join student professional associations.
    Claims                                                                                            Develop strong analytical and computer skills.
    Underwriting                                                                                      Gain experience as financial officer or treasurer of a
                                                                                                          campus organization.




GENERAL INFORMATION
· A major in english can be good preparation for continued graduate or professional training in areas such as english, law, political science/government,
   public administration, psychology, counseling, communications, and religious studies (i.e., seminary).
· Develop a speciality area of interest via additional coursework and/or work experience for greater marketability within that specific career field.
· Save samples of written work to be used for a portfolio.
· Be prepared to be proactive, determined, assertive, and confident in order to secure freelance writing opportunities. Writers typically experience many
   rejections for each piece that is accepted for publication.
· Cultivate other career opportunities in order to supplement a freelance writing income.
· Obtain aditional areas of expertise such as journalism, broadcasting, technical writing, or politics for specialized positions.
· For careers in advertising or public relations be prepared to begin in an entry-level position.
· A bachelor's degree in english is sufficient for many entry level positions in business and industry.
· Appropriate teacher certification is required for public school teacing.
· A graduate degree is required for teaching at the college or university level.




                Prepared by the Career Planning staff of Career Services at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville. (1992, Revised 1999, 2004)
                                           UTK is an EEO/AA/Title VI/Title IX/Section 504/ADA/ADEA Employer