5 Jobs You Can Do With An English Degree

If you have graduated with an English degree, chances are that you’re options are so varied, you can’t decide what you want to do. Or maybe you don’t even know what is available for you.

During your course you’ll have developed excellent writing, research, and debating skills. You’re likely to be very creative as well, which will stand you in good stead for many jobs. Here are just five of the jobs you’ll likely succeed at if you have an English degree.

Journalist

Becoming a journalist requires you to research and write stories to tight deadlines. A career in journalism will really put all of those skills you gained at university to the test.

Do you think you have what is takes to write quickly and accurately under pressure? Do you love telling other people’s stories? Are you obsessed with the news and the world around you? Then journalism could be the perfect career for you.

It will take a lot more than an English Degree though. Journalism is a very competitive area. If you want to succeed in this role, you need to have determination and resilience. You need to show you’re a cut above the rest, with a vast portfolio of published work and evidence of work experience.

Want to know how to kickstart your career in journalism? Click here.

Copywriter

During your English degree, not only would you have pored through numerous heavy texts, you probably wrote quite a few essays as well. If it’s the writing, rather than the reading that you’re really passionate about, then a career as a copywriter could be for you.

Copywriter’s are responsible for understanding a certain audience, and engaging with them through persuasive writing. You’re skills in writing persuasive essays during your degree will really help you out here.

It’s a great position for a creative person as a job in copywriting requires you to think of original ideas for many platforms. These include ideas on how to present webpages, blogs, articles and social media posts.

For more information on what it takes to be a copywriter, click here.

PR

For a job in PR, not only will you exercise your research and writing skills, you will also need excellent spoken communication skills. This is because part of your job as a PR will include liaising with and maintaining relationships with the media. You need to ensure the company you work for get great coverage in the media, so fantastic interpersonal and spoken communication skills is a must.

Writing and researching is still crucial to this role, though as you will be required to research, write and distribute press releases to the media. Another part of the role is keeping the website and social media accounts up to date.  This will allow you to put those good writing skills from your degree to the test.

Want to know more about what being a PR looks like? Click here

Editorial Assistant

If you chose to do an English degree, chances are that you’re very passionate about books. If this is the case, then a career in publishing as an editorial assistant could be your perfect fit.

A career as an editorial assistant requires someone with fantastic grammar and communication skills. Having a great eye for detail is essential for a career in publishing, as you will be asked to proofread and edit copy.

Writing skills are still very important though, as many company’s will also make you responsible for writing articles and reports.

A good editorial assistant is very organised. You will most likely have various administrative tasks to undertake. Great time management skills, an ability to use your initiative and the ability to keep to tight deadlines will help you secure this role.

Want to know how to get into publishing? Click here.

Digital Marketing Assistant

The rise of social media and the digital world is something us English graduates should be thankful for. In this competitive world, social media has created many new entry level jobs that wouldn’t have been there a few years ago.

One of these new roles is a digital marketing assistant. As an English graduate, you’ll be relieved to know that writing is the most important skill someone wanting to get into digital marketing needs. This is because you will be responsible for all of the copy, including the website, social media, emails, blogs, and marketing materials.

You’ll also use your creativity, as you will be required to think of ideas for blog posts and how to design the website. As an English grad, you’ll be used to writing to tight deadlines and keeping to strict guidelines and word counts. This will help you no end in a job in copywriting, as you’ll have the necessary skills to make all of your copy SEO friendly.

For more on what it takes to succeed in digital marketing, click here.

Luckily for us, our English degrees have armed us with a variety of skills such as  reading, writing, analysing, researching, and organisation. We couldn’t be better prepared for job roles which in reality, require a variety of different skills and abilities.

Don’t let the variety of roles available overwhelm you. Instead, try and see it as an exciting opportunity to be able to find a job that most appeals to you. Something where your specific passions and strengths can really shine through.

Rosie Fitzgerald is a freelance journalist, who studied English Literature and Creative Writing at UEA and has previously been published by The Tab, Babe and The Guardian.

Inspiring Interns is a recruitment agency specialising in all the internships and graduate jobs London has to offer.