Majors at the University of Connecticut

English Literature

The study of English involves training in reading, writing, and reasoning. As a course of study, English does not lead directly to a specific occupation. Rather, through the mastery of language, students are prepared to express themselves and their ideas to a variety of audiences. Training in critical analysis, derived from the study of verse and prose, and characters and situations, prepares students for real-life situations on the job and in their personal lives. The study of literature exposes students to disparate viewpoints and experiences that teach the student how audiences receive messages differently.

A degree in English provides the recipient with a traditional liberal arts education which provides the holder with skills that are useful in all areas of life. A degree in English provides the graduate with a strong foundation in the skills necessary for a career in writing, however, it also provides the graduate with a foundation in skills desirable to other types of employment opportunities such as those with government agencies and large corporations. Additionally, English is an excellent pre-professional major in which students develop skills in analysis and expression, which are desirable to law schools.

Academic Department

• UConn's Department of English

Nature of Work

As a course of study, English does not lead directly to a specific occupation. As such, few English majors work in positions that are directly related to their major. The nature of the work for an English major then, is dependent upon the career field that he/she chooses to enter after graduation.

Sample Job Titles

Potential Employers

English majors working in jobs that are closely related to their major might be employed by newspapers, magazines, broadcast media; trade, professional or consumer publications; promotional agencies, corporations, government agencies, colleges and universities; public and private libraries; and publishers of books, magazines, and newspapers; and schools. Additional employers of English majors might include: museums; local, state, and federal government; advertising agencies; law firms; corporate legal departments; government agencies; public service agencies; commercial banks, savings & loan associations, and credit unions; non-profit and various for profit business organizations.

Useful Skills

Through the study of language and literature the English major develops a diverse set of skills useable in a wide variety of occupations. These skills include:

Critical Thinking, Reasoning, Critical Analysis, Communication, Expression and Clarity of Expression, Research, Reading, Writing, and Style or Written Point of View.

Getting Experience

A degree in English provides the graduate with a diverse set of skills applicable to a wide range of occupations. To increase the marketability of the degree and the skill set the student has developed or is in process of developing, it is imperative that the student begins exploring a career focus early in his/her degree program. Since a degree in English does not directly translate into a career area or occupation, the student majoring in English needs to choose a career field in addition to having chosen a major. The early exploration of career options allows the student the opportunity to participate in experiential learning opportunities, such as internships, externships, and job shadowing, that allow the student to "try out" career areas prior to graduation. Early exploration also allows students to acquire practical experiences in their chosen career area. Today's employers are seeking graduates with practical experience in their career fields. Cooperative education work experiences and intensive internships provide students the opportunity to acquire such practical experience.

In addition to experiential learning opportunities and practical work experience, early exploration of career areas by the student majoring in English allows the individual to develop specific skills necessary to the field he/she is planning to enter. Computer skills, for example, are essential in the world of work today. The astute English major will be certain to have well developed computer skills to compliment the diverse skills developed through the study of English. Additionally, if a student is interested in pursuing a career in business, then taking business-related courses to round out his/her education would be desirable.

The primary key to increasing the marketability of an English degree is to plan for your career well in advance of graduation. Knowing what career area you are wanting to pursue and focusing your attention on acquiring the skills and experience needed for that career will increase the marketability of your degree in English.

Employment Opportunities

Those with a major in English can find themselves working in a variety of areas. Such possibilities include: Advertising Agencies, Bookstores, Colleges/Universities, Communication Firms, Film Companies, Fund-Raising Firms, Government Agencies, Insurance Companies, Internet Companies, Magazines, Newspapers, Personnel Departments, Professional Journals, Public Relations Firms, Publishing Firms, Radio/TV Industry, Research/Development Firms and Travel Agencies.

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