What can I do with an English Lit degree

Question

I'm thinking I just wasted four years of my life! I can't teach (without going back to get certified). Is there some job that I would be qualified to do?

Answer 1

Wowww, Astral is so wrong. Idiot.

English is actually one of the most valuable and popular majors out there. It's very open-ended, so it gives you the opportunity to go into a number of different fields. It is one of the best majors to have if you apply to law school.

"A bachelor's degree in English provides you with skills for a variety of positions in business, government, research, education, publishing, as well as in the cultural, entertainment, and communications industries. English as a major is versatile and helps you develop skills useful in many career fields."

Some options:

Paralegal (and/or law school) (no law school required for a paralegal)

Editor/subsidiary rights manager/marketing representative at a publishing house or magazine or newspaper

Journalist

Lobbyist

Marketing and PR work

Web/graphics designer

Copy writer

Work in advertising

Criminal investigator (with private companies)

And much more...

Answer 2

Teacher

editor

author

good luck

Answer 3

Lots and lots of things!

It's all about language and communication skills, which in a lot of careers is very desirable. Careers would include practically anything in the media for a start (TV, Radio, Publishing, Journalism...).

Answer 4

I don't mean to be rude, but you sort of did just waste four years of your life.  Really the only thing out there is graduate school and teaching.  You might be able to do things like writing for a magazine or editing, but it depends on whether they gave you editing classes and article writing in school, from which you could use pieces to build a portfolio.  You might be able to get into business writing as well, but again, I am not sure of what type of experience you had in school.  You may have to take extra classes again if you want to do something close to what you went to school for the build up a portfolio.  When you get out into the real world, it's all about business writing, editing, and articles, unless you become an author (which obviously a very sketchy career path to get into).  Having a strong portfolio full of these things is huge.  Book reports don't help too much.  Best of luck to you.