- Business/Industry
The most successful businesspeople are creative, critically-minded, and culturally competent, so it comes as no surprise that English majors are especially well suited for careers in business and industry. Each of our specializations offers development of these skills, while internships with Grassroots and SIU Press provide hands-on business experience. Additionally, minor and interdisciplinary programs of study will aid business-minded English majors.
- Finance
The independence, creativity, and cultural competency developed through the study of English help prepare our students for the ever-evolving world of finance, and that’s what recruiters for finance positions consistently seek in competitive candidates. We recommend pursuing a Literature/General Studies or Pre-Professional Writing Track as well as a minor in Business or Finance. Additionally, a tutoring job in our Writing Center provides income and experience.
- Graduate School
Our English majors go on from SIU to become lifelong learners, and they take the research skills gained here with them! If you imagine your education extending beyond your four years with us, we recommend pursuing the Literature/General Studies Track and choosing minor and/or interdisciplinary areas of study. Work with the Writing Center and our various internships will help make you especially competitive in your graduate school applications.
- Grant Writing
One of the most highly prized skills in today’s career landscape is grant writing; whether you hope to work with educators, nonprofits, municipal government, or research laboratories, our English degree program will prepare you to find creative new sources of income for your company. We recommend you pursue the Pre-Professional Writing Track as well as a minor area of study based on your areas of interest.
- Government/Public Sector
Many English majors become community leaders in and out of the world of politics, from serving as Congressional aides to representing their constituents in federal office. Students who aspire to this kind of work will be especially drawn to our Literature/General Studies Track and perhaps also to the Political Science Minor. We recommend pursuing publishing internships as well, such as those offered through Grassroots and SIU Press.
- Human Resources
English majors develop strong empathy and communication skills, and these are well suited to the human resources department of any major company, firm, or institution. Each of our specializations works uniquely to hone these skills, while work in our Writing Center or with SIU Press provides our students with the opportunity to work in complex settings with diverse bodies of colleagues and clients.
- Nonprofit
Many students are drawn to the humanities by their love of humanity, and those interested in nonprofit work will appreciate the opportunity to develop skills in writing, communication, organization and cultural competency through any of the specializations we offer through our English degree program. We recommend pursuing interdisciplinary areas of study alongside your English major relevant to your area of interest.
- Real Estate
Creativity, communication, and organization skills make English majors especially good real estate agents, and many students of Literature, Creative Writing, and Pre-Professional Writing go on to find success in this field. We recommend pairing your English major with a minor in Theater or Communication Studies and seeking an internship with SIU Press or presenting at any of a number of annual academic conferences, including our in-house AEGIS conference.
- Sales Management
English majors are especially well prepared to adapt to a changing business landscape, and their skills in communication, critical thinking, creative problem solving, and cultural competency will make them especially strong candidates for sales management positions. We recommend the Literature/General Studies Track, internships with SIU Press, minor areas of study, and presentations at our annual AEGIS Conference in English and the Humanities.
- Science Writing
Scientists, researchers, and medical professionals communicate their innovative work to the public largely through the help of skilled science writers, who very often earn degrees in English. Our Creative Writing and Pre-Professional Writing Tracks will be especially useful to aspiring science writers, who will likely minor in the Sciences. Additionally, aspiring science writers might seek publication in Grassroots, our undergraduate literary journal.