Majoring in English

Do you dream of being a poet or a teacher? Becoming a lawyer or an editor? Going to graduate school? A major in English can help you achieve these goals and more. The 37-credit English BA degree program allows you to select classes that will help you to pursue your interests in fields such as literature, creative writing, rhetoric, English education, literary publishing, or professional communication. As an English major you will learn to think critically, read carefully, and express your ideas effectively.

What can YOU do with an English Major?

Think outside the box. An English major offers employment possibilities limited only by your ability to envision ways to use the skills you've acquired in your classes. English majors enjoy reading and analyzing texts (written, oral, visual, and electronic), working with language, creating ideas, and communicating their ideas to others. The Iowa State English Major will help you to become skilled at asking questions and articulating answers through the process of research, close reading, and careful interpretation. With an English Major you will develop communication, research, and analysis skills that will serve you well in your chosen career after college.

What do employers look for when hiring?

Employers who hire graduates from English programs especially look for individuals who are

• flexible,
• willing to ask questions and learn new things, and
• skilled in researching, writing, and interviewing.

What jobs are you qualified for after graduation?

We all know that students who specialize in English Education can be certified to teach in middle and high schools, but did you know that a former Iowa State English major became the National Teacher of the Year for 2010? Other English majors go on to study for advanced degrees to teach English at universities, community colleges, and private schools. But, did you know that advanced degrees in fields that build on an English major could lead to jobs as a student services specialist, a public policy administrator, a Wells Fargo computer specialist, or a journalist?

Take a cue from other former English majors and consider these possibilities:

• Become a financial analyst, marketing specialist, or U.S. Secretary of the Treasury.
• Coach college football, minister to a congregation, or work in other professions that require
  interpersonal communication skills.
• Earn money as a published poet or professional musician/singer/songwriter.
• Grow your potential as an organic farmer or an entrepreneur.
• Act in film and theater or perform at a theme park.
• Write for local or national news media or work in the printing industry.
• Produce documents for software developers, publishers, or other businesses and industries.
• Edit the Iowa Senate Record, a women's studies journal, or the Iowa State Daily.
• Capitalize on your creativity in a gallery, film production company, or publishing house.
• Practice law or become a judge.
• Teach others what you know.
• Work in the communication unit of a large company, a nonprofit, or a government agency.
• Consult on web design projects or grant writing.

Why not explore the requirements for a major in English and expand your opportunities?