Career Information for English Majors |
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It is important to understand that employers hire people, not degrees. The skills and knowledge you develop as a result of your education, as well as in your work and community activities, have the greatest impact on hiring decisions. Listed below are some key skills and knowledge you will acquire as a result of your university education and your focus on English.
Specific Knowledge Skills
- Awareness of the appropriate use and understanding of language to communicate ideas/information
- The ability to ensure grammatical accuracy, conciseness and clarity of written information
- Skills in analyzing, interpreting, reorganizing and rephrasing written materials and information
- An awareness of how to use language/literature to influence and communicate ideas effectively
- Knowledge of how language/literature shapes and reflects different cultures, societies and time periods
- An awareness of and the ability to articulate and communicate the major themes of human experience
- The ability to comprehend information in the context of presentation, audience, time, place and purpose
- Knowledge of a range of genres, authors and periods of literature and history
- An understanding of social, cultural, political and historical perspectives of communication/literature
- The ability to determine/uncover and interpret meaning in language and literature
- The ability to perceive subtle concepts and ideas; appreciation of word/phrase connotations
Valuable Transferable Skills
Information-gathering and Communication Skills
- The skills required to identify and access a wide range of relevant information and resources
- The ability to compile and organize facts and information and to comprehend and apply new and/or unfamiliar information to different situations and settings
- Skills in preparing interesting, creative and informative presentations which target diverse audiences
- The ability to develop effective reports, presentations and materials using current technology
Thinking, Planning and Organizational Skills
- The ability to learn, understand and interpret information and apply your knowledge to new situations
- The ability to set priorities, meet deadlines and effectively plan/manage time, data and resources
- Problem-solving skills and the ability to make well-reasoned decisions, think creatively and search for, identify and consider all sides of an issue
- Skills to effectively analyze and interpret a wide range of information and data to discuss, support and/or reject ideas, opinions, reports, theories and proposals
Teamwork and Management Skills
- Skills enabling you to work effectively as part of the team by identifying your role in the team and contributing to the team through leading, teaching, motivating and/or encouraging others as required
- An understanding of how to successfully identify, plan and contribute to the goals of a team/project
- The ability to oversee, supervise and/or contribute to a project from beginning to end
including determining outcomes, planning details, making decisions, assigning roles and completing tasks
Some Career Options for English Majors
(Additional education, training or experience may be required)
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Actor/Actress
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Fundraiser
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Scriptwriter
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Advertising Agent
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Professional Tutor
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Greeting Card Writer
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Author
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Proof Reader/Reviser
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Program/Group Facilitator
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Columnist
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Circulation Assistant
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Copy Writer
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Court Reporter/Writer
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Announcer/Broadcaster/Host
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Grant Writer/Administrator
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Journalist/Reporter
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Sound Designer
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Lyricist
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Manuscript Reader
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Event Planner
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Playwright
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Producer
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Scene Designer
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Communications Officer
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Public Relations Professional
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Narrator
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Stage Manager
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Copyeditor
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Costume Designer
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Lighting Designer
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Research Assistant
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Lighting Designer
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ELS Instructor
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Technical Writer
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Video Producer
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Research Analyst/Assistant
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Terminologist
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Project Co-ordinator
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Editor/Editorial Assistant
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Trade Show Supervisor
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Poet
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Speechwriter
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Translator
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Volunteer Co-ordinator
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Assistant Theatre Director
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If you are interested in exploring a career outside your area of study you may wish to explore the following job areas in Business such as:
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Public Affairs/ Information Officer
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Community Affairs Co-ordinator
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Customer Service Representative
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Insurance Agent
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Insurance Underwriter
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Financial Advisor
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Job Analyst
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Entrepreneur
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Accounts Trainee
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Market Research Analyst
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Properties Manager
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Bookstore Manager
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Mortgage/Loan Officer
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Human Resources
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Junior Buyer
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| Corporate Communications | Corporate Trainer | Promotions/Marketing Assistant |
If you are interested in exploring a career outside your area of study, you may wish to explore the followingjob areas in Education, such as:
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Academic Advisor
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International Student Advisor
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Educator/Trainer
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Recreation Director
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Alumni Relations Officer
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Public Educator
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With additional education/training or experience, you may wish to explore careers such as:
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Literary Agent
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Public Speaking consultant
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Journal Editor
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Biographer
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Art Dealer
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Historian
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Curator
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Speech Language Pathologist
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Correspondant
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Creative Director
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Publicist
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Archivist
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Press Agent
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Management Consultant
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Interpreter
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| Research Director | Librarian | Theatre Director |
| University Professor | Performing Arts Publicist | Public Administrator |
| Account Director | Linguist | Entertainment Agent |
| Art/Book Critic | Art Conservator | Production Manager |
| Desktop Publisher | Lawyer/Paralegal | College Instructor |
| Counsellor/Social Worker | Performaing Arts Instructor | |
| Elementary/Highschool Teacher | Educational Affairs Supervisor |
For more career options and job descriptions, visit the following sites:
Career Cruising - www.careercruising.com. Please contact the Career Centre at 519.884.0710 ext. 4495 or careercentre@wlu.ca for the username and password.
Career Insider (Vault) - Access through the library website at www.wlu.ca/library. Click ’Find Articles and More’, click ’Databases by Title (A-Z)’ and then ’C’ - Career Insider (Vault). You need to access this resource from a Laurier computer or through the library’s remote access service.
National Occupational Classification - www.hrsdc.gc.ca/noc
Potential Employers
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Publishing Companies
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Educational Institutions
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Libraries/Museums/Archives
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Newspapers/Magazines
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Bookstores
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Media Organizations
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Political Parties
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Research/Marketing Firms
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Advertising Agencies
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Self Employment
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Corporations
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Government
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Banks/Financial Business
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Telecommunications Firms
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Non-Profit Organizations
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| Pharmaceutical Companies | Public Relations Firms | Law Firms |
| Private Consulting Firms | Public Service Agencies | Medical Institutions |
| Theatre/Entertainment Companies | Business & Professional Services | Documentation Companies |
Websites