Employers Value English Majors
Students who major in English learn to carefully read, analyze, interpret, and research texts of all kinds: print, digital, and visual. Students also learn writing techniques that appeal to a variety of audiences and in a variety of formats: print, digital, and visual. The skills students learn are applicable to many kinds of careers.
Top skills for English graduates include copy editing, creative writing, and blogging.
Since 2014, GSU English graduates have increasingly found work with non-profits.
Top employers of GSU Writing grads include Kennesaw State University, Belvedere Park Productions, and Delta.
Business writing skills have the highest impact on salary compared to other skills for GSU English grads.
31.4% of English graduates have a master's degree.
The average salary for English graduates working in research positions is $68K.
76% of English graduates have multiple degrees including languages, literature, and business.
Creative Directors are among the highest paid English graduates in the media industry.
The average salary for all English graduates from GSU is $68K.
Outside of Georgia, California attracts the most English grads from GSU.
Major Stories
ENGLISH FACULTY HELP STUDENTS WRITE THEIR SUCCESS STORIES.
Hear what English major Wyatt Williams and Associate Professor Scott Lightsey have to say about being an English major.
- Major in a Minute
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Hear what English major Wyatt Williams and Associate Professor Scott Lightsey have to say about being an English major.
Your Degree at Work
HERE ARE THE TOP FIVE EMPLOYMENT FIELDS OF GSU STUDENTS WITH AN ENGLISH DEGREE.
INDUSTRY
AVG. SALARY
AVG. YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
COMMON JOB TITLES
WHY HIRE ENGLISH MAJORS FOR THIS FIELD? THEY'VE GOT SKILLS!
INDUSTRY
AVG. SALARY
AVG. YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
COMMON JOB TITLES
WHY HIRE ENGLISH MAJORS FOR THIS FIELD? THEY'VE GOT SKILLS!
INDUSTRY
AVG. SALARY
AVG. YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
COMMON JOB TITLES
WHY HIRE ENGLISH MAJORS FOR THIS FIELD? THEY'VE GOT SKILLS!
INDUSTRY
AVG. SALARY
AVG. YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
COMMON JOB TITLES (without J.D.)
WHY HIRE ENGLISH MAJORS FOR THIS FIELD? THEY'VE GOT SKILLS!
INDUSTRY
AVG. SALARY
AVG. YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
COMMON JOB TITLES
WHY HIRE ENGLISH MAJORS FOR THIS FIELD? THEY'VE GOT SKILLS!
TAKE A LOOK AT THE CO-CURRICULAR PROGRAMMING AVAILABLE TO ENGLISH MAJORS.
Professionalism
Communication
Career/
Self Development
Equity/
Inclusion
Critical Thinking
Teamwork
Technology
Leadership
Your Career Starts Here
TOP EMPLOYERS OF GSU ENGLISH GRADS AND AVERAGE SALARY
WHAT DOES A CAREER PATH LOOK LIKE FOR AN ENGLISH MAJOR?
Career paths are often full of twists and turns. They are rarely straight lines. Watch the following video tutorial to learn how to explore the career paths of GSU alumni who pursued their interests and passions rather than a specific job title.
| EDITOR |
*includes English degrees
77%
Over 77% of 50,855 editors majored in fields other than Communications. The chart above shows what they studied.
XXXXXXXXXX
11,839
11,839 editors majored in Language & Literature
(includes English).
| POLITICAL ORGANIZER |
*includes English degrees
73%
About 73% of 578 political organizers majored in fields other than Political Science. The chart above shows what they studied.
XXXXXXXXX
30
30 political organizers majored in Language & Literature
(includes English).
| DIGITAL MEDIA |
*includes English degrees
75%
Over 75% of 37,155 people working in digital media majored in fields other than Communication. The chart above shows what they studied.
4,176
4,176 people working in digital media majored in Language & Literature
(includes English).
IS GRAD SCHOOL NECESSARY FOR YOUR CAREER?
Learn about typical entry-level education requirements for over 800 occupations, reasons you should go to grad school, reasons you should not go to grad school, and whether or not you should go to grad school right after undergrad.
Student Success Counselor - Colorado State University Global
As a Student Success Counselor, I work with students from a variety of backgrounds to resolve a variety of problems. Being able to communicate effectively is crucial in my role, especially given that we are an entirely online campus (so no in-person counseling). I am so thankful for my experience in the English program at Georgia State because it shaped my ability to be clear and concise and to consider (and embrace) a variety of perspectives...
The organizational and time management skills that I developed as a student have also been incredibly helpful as I balance meetings, calls, and emails.
During my time in the English program, particularly through my Practical Grammar and Literary Editing & Publishing courses, I discovered a passion for copyediting. In addition to my primary role as a Student Success Counselor, I also serve as a copy editor for CSU Global, working on undergraduate- and graduate-level course content. I still reference the texts from my GSU courses while doing this work, and it’s one of my favorite parts of my job!
Buyer for Macy's Inc.
The diverse set of skills I acquired through my studies as an English major prepared me for the challenges I face in my job as a Buyer for Macy’s. A crucial component of performing well in English courses is the ability to think critically, which I often must do to solve problems in my workplace. Analyzing novels and poems in my English classes trained me in the type of critical thinking necessary to being successful as a Buyer...
Majoring in English also improved my writing more than any other major could.Clear and concise written communication is necessary in my office, and the focus that my English studies placed on grammar and syntax helps me communicate more effectively in my role. Additionally, the English department allows students to obtain course credit for internships worked during the semester, which allowed me to obtain valuable work experience while earning credit toward my degree.
Majoring in English at Georgia State can prepare students for a wide variety of career options. Some courses that I found particularly helpful in my development were those that connected literature to historical developments, writing workshops that encouraged collaboration with classmates to create fiction and poetry, and a practical grammar class that sharpened my writing ability.
University Career Services
Center for the Advancement of Students and Alumni
Are you interested in pursuing a graduate degree? The CASA is a campus hub of faculty, staff, and students helping to make PhD programs, medical school, and law school accessible to all students with an interest and motivation to pursue these paths.
University Advisement Center
Want to know more about the course scheduling, program, and degree requirements for this and other majors? The UAC is here to assist you in charting your path.
Are you looking for more information?
Contact
College to Career
Office of the Senior Vice President for Student Success
Recruiters
Click on the link below to find out how Georgia State University can help you reach your recruiting goals: