Top 10 jobs for English majors & who's hiring

The skills you develop in your studies as an English major are invaluable in every area of business. From critical thinking to communication skills, acute attention to detail, superior writing and editing, and the ability to think creatively, an English major prepares you incredibly well for jobs in law, business, marketing, and even tech.

Keep reading for a list of exciting jobs and career options that will allow you to make the most of your English degree.

1. Technical writer

Average salary: $61,872

A technical writer creates a company’s user manuals, guides, and other forms of documentation. The role’s main purpose is to present complex information in a way that end users can easily understand. This technical writing position generally entails much research and regular communication with engineers, marketers, project managers, and people from other departments to learn about specific products and services.

This role is great for entry-level English majors, especially those with a portfolio of written work. Some employers ask for two or more years of experience writing for nontechnical audiences.

Education required:

A bachelor’s degree in English, journalism, or a related field

Skills:

Analytical thinking
Attention to detail
Communication
Proofreading

2. Copywriter

Average salary: $55,046

A copywriter is responsible for writing clear, persuasive content to help in a company’s marketing efforts. These professionals often work on content for web pages, advertisements, sales pages, emails, and other marketing materials. Their goal is to convince readers to take specific actions (like making a purchase).

Education required:

Entry-level professionals can easily nab a job as a copywriter without a degree. In fact, many freelance writers start their copywriting careers without prior experience. However, you’ll need excellent creative writing skills and a solid portfolio to get into this role.

Skills:

Proofreading
Creative writing
Time management
Firm grasp of content marketing principles
Familiarity with SEO best practices
Knowledge of keyword research

3. Marketing manager

Average salary: $115,569

A marketing manager develops, implements, and oversees a company’s marketing plans. Their main function is to promote their company’s products, services, and brand to attract new customers. They do this by running different campaigns on various platforms, like social media, email, search engines, and more.

This is a senior position, so employers generally ask for five or more years of experience in a marketing or leadership role.

Education required:

A bachelor’s degree in English, marketing, business, or a related field

Skills:

Experience using website analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics)
Google Adwords experience
Social media marketing experience
Content development
Communication
Research
Leadership

4. User experience (UX) writer

Average salary: $122,443

A UX writer creates content for digital products like mobile apps, websites, and software interfaces. Their goal is to help users easily navigate a product. They are usually responsible for writing copy on menus, error messages, quick guides for first-time users, and other types of “microcopy.” Most hiring managers look for candidates with two or more years of experience as a copywriter, technical writer, or UX designer.

Education required:

A bachelor’s degree in English, journalism, communications, or a related field

Skills:

Research
Creative writing
Communication
Familiarity with prototyping tools, like InVision and Sketch
Firm grasp of copywriting best practices

5. Content strategist

Average salary: $45,833

A content strategist develops and manages content plans to help businesses attract new customers. The content strategist is responsible for clearly understanding the business’ goals and building a specific content plan to help meet those goals. Tasks usually include developing social media and SEO strategies to help the brand improve their rankings on search engines.

Landing this role usually requires two or more years of experience in a content marketing role as a writer, content manager, social media manager, or a similar position. Project management experience is also preferred.

Education required:

A bachelor’s degree in English, journalism, communications, or a related field

Skills:

Creative writing
Communication
Research
Analytical thinking
Using keyword research tools (e.g., Google Keyword Planner, Moz)
Using content management systems (e.g., WordPress)
Social media marketing
Firm grasp of SEO and SEM principles

6. Grant writer

Average salary: $73,126

A grant writer researches funding opportunities for an organization and writes persuasive grant proposals to help secure those funds. They generally work for nonprofit organizations to help drive their fundraising efforts, but this role can also be found in other types of organizations (like those relying on outside funding for certain projects). Companies usually prefer candidates with at least one year of experience in a grant writing role.

Education required:

A bachelor’s degree in English, journalism, communications, or a related field

Skills:

Research
Persuasive writing
Organization
Communication
Nonprofitfundraising experience (preferred)

7. Public relations specialist

Average salary: $58,702

A public relations specialist is responsible for maintaining a company’s image in the public eye by creating content for press releases, social media, and other mediums. Regular duties include finding new media opportunities to promote the brand, maintaining current media relationships, and promoting a positive brand image to the public. Someone with two to four years of experience in a public relations (PR) environment will stand out as an excellent candidate for this role.

Education required:

A bachelor’s degree in English, journalism, communications, or a related field

Skills:

Communication
Strategic thinking
Time management
Content creation
Public speaking
Social media

8. Medical writer

Average salary: $103,549

Medical writers work with doctors and other healthcare professionals to create content for patients. Their role is to write about medical details, procedures, and documents in a way that patients can easily understand. Content may include white papers, newspaper articles, medical books, and more. Organizations often prefer candidates with two or more years of experience in the healthcare or pharmaceutical industry.

Education required:

A bachelor’s degree in English, life sciences, research and statistics, or a similar field

Skills:

Attention to detail
Flawless communication
Analytical thinking
Organization
Knowledge of medical terminology

9. Editor

Average salary: $56,264
An editor is responsible for maintaining the quality of a company’s written material. This includes everything from fact-checking to proofreading and ensuring all content aligns with the company’s style guides and editorial policies. Editors generally work with a team of writers, delegating writing tasks and providing education as necessary. Employers typically ask for two or more years of experience in a content writing or editing role.

Education required:

A bachelor’s degree in English or journalism

Skills:

Attention to detail
Proofreading
Communication
Ability to give constructive feedback

10. English teacher

Average salary: $52,232

An English teacher is responsible for teaching students the foundational principles of the English language. They plan and deliver lessons, facilitate class discussions, and assess student work to promote reading, writing, and critical thinking skills. They also provide student guidance, support, and feedback.

This position is great for entry-level professionals. Those who have completed an English degree or another humanities degree program usually qualify for plenty of teaching opportunities, from elementary to high school positions. Some organizations might prefer a more advanced education to become a college English teacher, such as a master’s degree.

Education required:

A bachelor’s degree in English

Skills:

Organization
Communication
Time management
Patience and resilience
Basic computer skills

Who’s hiring English majors on Handshake?

Find the perfect job for your English degree

Whether you’re passionate about working with nonprofit organizations or more interested in tech, your English degree qualifies you for many job opportunities. From critical thinking to creative writing and keen attention to detail, the skills you develop as an English major can easily transfer to any industry and lead to a variety of career paths.

Join Handshake today to kick-start your job search and land the perfect post to put your English degree to good use.

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Top 10 jobs for English majors & who's hiring