English majors develop valuable skills!

“The Liberal Arts may ultimately prove to be the most relevant learning model. People trained in the Liberal Arts learn to tolerate ambiguity and to bring order out of apparent confusion. They have the kind of sideways thinking and cross-classifying habit of mind that comes from learning, among other things, the many different ways of looking at literary works, social systems, chemical processes, or languages.”

-- Roger Smith, former CEO of General Motors, as quoted by the American Association of Colleges and Universities in the Winter 2009 edition of “Liberal Education.”

The National Association of Colleges and Employers Job Outlook 2010 survey listed the following “Top Qualities/Skills” desired by employers, many of which are inherent in English majors:

1. Communication Skills

Facilitated group discussions...

Detailed accurate information...

Delivered engaging presentations...

Summarized plans concisely...

2. Analytical Skills

Strategically considered options...

Interpreted data to back up...

Surveyed target audiences...

Validated through trend research plans to...

3. Teamwork Skills

Collaborated with colleagues to...

Fostered a culture of... in the team by...

Participated as member of...

Built trust within team to accomplish...

4. Technical Skills

Engineered new unit...

Installed hardware...

Programmed customized IT solution...

Integrated systems...

5. Strong Work Ethic

Businesslike

Dependable

Flexible/adaptable

Productive

Career Options for English Majors

• Publishing
• Technical Writing
• Business
• Advertising and Marketing
• Law 
• Education
• Writing and Editing
• Media
• Library Science
• Public Relations
• Human Resources
• Administration

Check out Dear English Major to learn even more about what you can do with an English degree!