English
What Can I Do In My Major?
Background
The skills most in demand for today’s job market are those in which English majors excel – oral and written communication, reading comprehension, active listening, analysis and critical thinking.
These fundamental strengths place graduates of Appalachian State University’s English program at the top of employers’ wish lists, assuring them success and flexibility in a variety of careers – including writing, editing, publishing, journalism, broadcasting, marketing, advertising, public relations, teaching, educational administration, law, business, library and information science, the caring professions, government and more.
Concentrations: Creative Writing, Film Studies, Literary Studies, Professional Writing
Related Careers
Author*
Biographer
Book Reviewer
Columnist
Communications Coordinator
Content Creator
Copy Editor
Copywriter
Correspondent
Creative Director*
Critic*
Editor*
English Instructor
ESL Teacher
Fundraiser
Grant Writer
Lobbyist
Marketing Coordinator
Medical Scribe
Policy Writer
Speech Writer
Public Relations Representative
Reporter *
Radio/TV Copywriter
Research Assistant
Science Writer
Playwright
Professor*
Publicity Director
Web Content Writer
*additional experience or advanced degree may be required
Related Skills
Able to work with deadlines
Highly imaginative
Individually expressive
Observant
Open to criticism
Organized
Persistent
Proficient in close reading
Proficient in critiquing
Proficient in editing Proficient in grammar
Proficient in fiction/non-fiction writing
Proficient in interpretive reading
Proficient in research
Proficient in word processing
Self-disciplined
Self-motivated
Strong communication
Writing/poetry writing
Internship Hosts of AppState students
ACI Worldwide
Alan Hauser
Appalachian Voices
Avery County Schools
AVL Technologies
Belk Commons Library
Bethany Mannon
Chapman Cultural Center
Chef Monica Smith
Chetola Resort
Clarke Allen
Cold Mountain Review
CommScope
Cranberry Quill Press
Davidson Community Players
District Attorney's Office
Dunnagan, Isaacs, & Friley, LLP
Foggy Pines Books
High Country Home Magazine
High Country Press
Island Free Press
Kershaw Health
Legal Aid of North Carolina
MacRae, Perry, MacRae & Whitley Market Connections Mark Nystrom
McFarland Publishing
MicroD
National Parks Traveler
New-Turner Media Group
niNe Magazine
North Carolina Department of Revenue
Out of Your Mind
Preferred Mountain Real Estate
QC Exclusive Magazine
Screamin Eagle Outfitters
Sword of the Lord
TA Films TV
The Patterson School
The Stone Agency
W.A.M.Y. Community Action Inc.
WALTER Magazine
Wendy Vines
Wake County Public Affairs
Employers of AppState students
Adams Literary Agency
Allied Universal
Appalachian Voices
Ashe Mountain Times
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina
City of Raleigh
Cold Mountain Review
Cumberland Marketing
Digitalchalk
Directscale
Duke Energy Corporation
ECR Software
Elite Editing
Fast Enterprises, Llc
Florida Atlantic University
Guilford County Schools
First Flight Digital
High Country Press
High South Weddings
Impact Financial Systems
INSP TV
Interact
Mediacommons
MicroMass Communications
North Carolina Society For Public Health Education
ox Media Group
Oxford University Press
Raffaldini Vineyards & Winery
RelyMD
Samaritan’s Purse
Summit Design And Engineering Services
Teach for America
Technical Editorial Services
The Variable
UNC-Chapel Hill
University Of North Carolina Press, Incorporated
Various secondary schools, community colleges & universities
Graduate School Enrollment
Lenoir-Rhyne University
North Carolina State University
Old Dominion University
New York University
Professional Organizations and Associations
Association of Departments of English
Florida College English Association
Michigan College English Association
Preparing for Your Career
• Develop excellent interpersonal skills to work with diverse populations
• Look for internships and jobs in to gain knowledge and experience
• Participation in internships and summer jobs in a relevant setting
How can I know if an English degree is right for me?
• Complete a self-assessment inventory at the Career Exploration Office in the Student Union to see how your interests, values, and personality match this major and related career fields.
• Schedule an appointment with a career counselor on careers.appstate.edu/Handshake
• Obtain direct experience by doing a job shadow
• Conduct an informational interview with a professional in the field
For more information on careers & job outlook: onetonline.org