The Next Step
Cultivate a Meaningful Life and Build a Fulfilling Career
Limitless Possibilities
The myth of the unemployed English major is just that — a myth!
Top employers continue to seek those who read perceptively, write convincingly, and think critically and creatively. In an ever-evolving, information-hungry society, curious, detail-oriented people who can harness analytical reasoning, tap into innovative solutions, and make meaning of the world around them go on to flourish professionally.
You might be surprised to know that a B.A. in English can be your ticket to medical schools or business administration programs, where the ability to see situations from the perspectives of others, strong communications skills, and the ability to work with a team are essential. These are all skills that English majors develop while earning a degree.
Why hire English grads?
Our major prepares students to be effective communicators, creative and engaging writers, empathetic collaborators, ethical decision-makers and problem-solvers, and compassionate global citizens—all traits top employers continue to prioritize. These skills translate to a wide variety of exciting careers in environmental justice, tech, business, healthcare, education, marketing & PR, policy, publishing, and more.
Get Career Ready
From the moment you arrive at CSU until you graduate, you have access to a community of professionals who can help you navigate career possibilities and carve out a direction for future work or further education.
College of Liberal Arts Career Resources
Schedule a 1-on-1 virtual appointment with the CLA Career Education Manager
Kelsey Schultz
Career Education Manager, College of Liberal Arts
kelsey.schultz@colostate.edu
Kelsey is proud and excited to be a part of the College of Liberal Arts and Career Center Family after living in 5 other states. She brings seven years of experience in higher education and storytelling, focusing on empowering liberal arts students. Through faculty collaboration and student engagement, she’s excited to create and implement a strategic plan to build CSU students’ career confidence with an equity and inclusion focus so they can change the world.
Build your resume
Use these editable Google doc resumes and PDF samples tailored for industries such as Publishing & Writing, Teaching, Marketing, and Law & Public Policy.
Jobs board
Check out this list of industry-specific job and internship boards just for Liberal Arts students, covering opportunities in art, communications, entertainment, government, non-profits, writing, and more!
Not sure where to start when thinking about career options? Want help de-mystifying job postings? Or, would you like to learn more about networking opportunities?
Check out the link below to familiarize yourself with tools specifically designed for Liberal Arts students!
What Can You Do With an English Major?
Better Question: What Can't You Do?
A degree in English prepares you for incredible career flexibility. How? Within our coursework and the department's experiential learning opportunities, students develop key liberal arts skills that translate to a variety of industries and jobs.
Career Competencies
Lucy Lawrence, B.A. '21
Being an English major has been one of the biggest assets for me when applying to medical school. These days, medical schools are looking for candidates who communicate clearly, work well in a team environment, and are willing to go into kind of dark caves with people. And that is, I think, what a major in English at CSU has given me. I am so excited to begin my medical career at Wake Forest School of Medicine and serve people not only as a physician but also as a poet.
Interested in pursuing an advanced degree? The Career Center is here to help you decide if graduate school is the right next step for you.
English Majors Find Success As
- English language arts and English as a foreign/second language teachers
- Attorneys and paralegals
- Communications and events coordinators
- Podcast writers/producers
- Human resource managers
- Medical professionals
- Brand copywriters
- Social media managers
- Technical writers
- Poets, short fiction writers, novelists, YA authors, essayists, writers of memoir, and literary translators
- Nonprofit program coordinators
- Digital marketing and content strategists
- Community engagement officers
- Grant writers
- Counselors and therapists
- Web content designers
- Literary agents and more!
Similarly, graduate programs in medicine, law, and other fields also seek out undergraduates who majored in English. Undergraduates majoring in English are well positioned to take advantage of the CSU Effect.
Meaningful Life, Meaningful Work Stories
Find career inspiration by reading stories in our alumni magazine of English grads and current students who are making a difference in their communities and around the world.
