Department of English

If you're just getting started, you might want to reflect on all of the classes and/or activities you enjoy and then look for occupations where you can continue to build upon those interests. You can begin by exploring who you are and identifying your values, skills, interests and motivations.

Here are some resources to help you get started:

• Browse What Can I Do With an English Major? to explore types of employers that hire people with English and creative writing majors, and strategies to make you a more marketable candidate.

• Take TypeFocus, an online tool to gain insights about your personality and interests and apply them to major and career decisions. Meet with a Hiatt counselor to review what you learn.

• Meet with Hiatt to explore majors and identify future options.

• Join student clubs and organizations, take a variety of classes and volunteer to explore and hone your interests.

• Visit after/words — English major interviews to translate what you have learned in school into potential professional, creative and personal pursuits.

As an English major you will be developing critical skills and knowledge, including:

• Knowledge of major literary works, genres and critical traditions

• Understand and empathize with other cultures and people through exploring their literary traditions

• Knowledge of linguistic, literary, cultural contexts in which literature is written and read

• Written and oral communication skills — ability to define audience, construct an argument, present an idea, and provide background information on a variety of issues

• Write and speak with clarity and precision, and learn the best methods to persuade an audience

• Detailed, balanced and rigorous examination of texts or spoken language and the ability to articulate interpretations to others

• Sensitivity to how communication is shaped by circumstances, authorship and intended audienceSensitivity to the power of language and its role in creating meaning

• A broad vocabulary and ability to use critical terminology appropriately

• Skills in a variety of research methods and the ability the accurately and appropriately present research

• Awareness of how different social and cultural contexts affect the nature of language and meaning

* Thanks to UNO for "critical skills and knowledge" language

One of the best ways to find out more about potential careers is to see what other students and alumni like you have done. Search these resources by major, industry, geography and more to see where Brandeis students intern, where recent Brandeis grads live and work right after graduation, and where.

• Beyond Brandeis — Browse the first destinations of Brandeis graduates within six months of graduation to get a sense of entry-level opportunities. Click on the "Majors to Industries" tab to get started. 

• LinkedIn — Look at the profiles of Brandeis alumni and students to see sample career paths that match your interests. To narrow down the alumni on LinkedIn to English and creative writing majors, go to the filter "What they Studied" and select "English Language and Literature/Letters."

If you already have an idea of what you're interested in, you might need help narrowing down your options. When exploring careers, it's important to develop plans while staying open to new opportunities. Here are some resources for career exploration and research:

• Occupational Outlook Handbook provides information on responsibilities, education, pay and outlook for hundreds of occupations. For example, Reporters, Correspondents and Broadcast News Analysts, Technical Writers, Writers and Authors.

• O*NET has detailed descriptions, responsibilities, required skills, preferred interests, and general work styles and environments for a variety of professions. For example, Copy Writers, Editors, Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers, Technical Writers.

• Vault profiles 6,500+ companies in different industries and provides an overview, rankings, and employee reviews for each company. Access Vault's 250+ guides on interview prep, resume, industries, professions, employers, and internships. Vault Guide titles of interest include: Book Publishing Jobs, Career Guide to Advertising, Second Edition,  Media and Entertainment, and Public Relations.

• Internships are a great way to try out potential careers for yourself. Also try volunteering, part-time jobs and informational interviews.

• Talk to people who know you and/or who know about your majors and fields of interest. Friends, family, professors, and advisors can all give you great information about majors and fields to help inform your decision making.

As discussed under possible career paths, there are many opportunities that might be a good match for you.  Based on historical destination data and national trends, the following Handshake shortcuts have been created to link you directly to descriptions of and opportunities in industries of interest to English and creative writing majors. Each Spotlight on Careers industry page includes links to industry-specific job and internship posting sites.

• Advertising, Public Relations, Social Media: Internships | Jobs

• Film and Television: Internships | Jobs

• Higher Education: Internships | Jobs

• Human Resource Management: Internships | Jobs

• Journalism, Media, Publishing: Internships | Jobs

• Law & Paralegal: Internships | Jobs

• Library & Information Science: Internships | Jobs

• Nonprofits/NGO: Internships | Jobs

• Social Justice: Internships | Jobs

• Teaching Overseas, Teaching: Private Schools, Teaching: Public Schools: Internships | Jobs

One of the best ways to find out more about careers, industries and roles is to speak with alumni. Networking is a constant cycle of building and maintaining relationships, all of which can help you cultivate information and leads about potential career opportunities. If you’ve ever talked to a professor, chatted with a family friend, or made conversation with someone on a plane, then you’ve already networked!

Visit Hiatt's website for  "how to" details about networking and using LinkedIn.

• LinkedIn — Look at the profiles of Brandeis alumni and students to find individuals who match your interests. To narrow down the alumni on LinkedIn to English and creative writing majors, go to the filter "What they Studied" and select "English Language and Literature/Letters."

There are two search strategies for finding career opportunities:

1. Search for jobs/internships that are posted on websites
2. Gather information about positions or potential openings from networking and research

For details on both, including links to external sites, please visit Hiatt's Job and Internship Search page.