UMass Boston

Careers in English

As an English major, the skills you develop and the tasks you practice are valuable and marketable assets for many career paths.

If English is a natural choice for you and you want to work in education, journalism, publishing, or as a writer, more options and opportunities exist than you may expect. For example, the digital content world we now live in provides opportunities in many fields for content creators, editors, strategists, and managers. The global marketplace has made international teaching a permanent job for those interested in travel and new experiences.

If you're less certain that an English major is the right choice for you, know that the skills you will learn can be applied to more professional possibilities than ever before, leading to jobs in advertising/marketing, public relations, investor relations, law, information technology, business management, and more.

See Alumni Spotlight for stories of UMass Boston alumni, including their careers paths and how the English Major prepared them.

Career Resources

  • “English 457: Careers in English” Mini-Course

    Each year, the English Department offers this one-credit course that helps you learn about career options, create a strong resume, and locate internships and jobs. This course:

    • Helps English majors develop post-graduation plans with the guidance of a career expert
    • Connects English majors with databases and other tools that facilitate the job search
    • Provides English majors with practical advice about interviewing, networking, and resumé-writing
       
  • Career Services and Events

    UMass Boston Career Services provides a variety of services to help you with your career planning. Each year, Career Services also organizes events designed specifically for English and humanities students. Some recent examples include: "Bookbuilders of Boston Networking Event,” which focused on networking with publishing professionals, and "Career Expo: How to Market your Liberal Arts Degree," which included information on locating and landing jobs in Boston.

Our mini-course helps you chart a career in English  

"English 457: Careers in English" Mini-Course

Through a series of workshops and assignments, this one-credit course helps English majors refine their writing and communication skills in ways intended to benefit them after graduation. Two areas of career development are emphasized: 1) identifying vocations that capitalize on English major skills and abilities, and 2) enhancing self-presentation to prospective employers through work on cover letters, résumés, interviewing and networking skills. This course:

  •  Helps English majors develop post-graduation plans with the guidance of a career expert.
  •  Connects English majors with databases and other tools that facilitate the job search
  •  Provides English majors with practical advice about interviewing, networking, and resumé-writing.