What Can I Do With an English Degree?

Nothing. At least that’s what everyone tells you. In actuality, a degree in English provides you with a wide set of skills to pursue a variety of careers. 
An English degree prepares students to think critically about the world and to communicate well within it. The ability to communicate is paramount in most industries, giving English majors an advantage in the job market. As unexpected as it might be, studying English equips students to work in a multitude of different fields that utilize specific communicative skills many employers look for. 

Here are just a few examples of what you can do with your English degree: 
Publishing: If you love to pick apart other peoples’ papers, then the publishing industry is for you! With options to be an editor, literary agent, and much more, you can combine your love of reading with the critical eye you have developed with your English degree. What’s more fun than getting paid to read all day? 
Marketing and Communications: Marketing is dependent on using images and language to engage an audience, and that’s where you come in. As a content creator, proofreader, or even a researcher, you can use the writing and thinking skills you painstakingly learned as a student to create/edit content for companies.
Creative Writing: This seems obvious, but professional creative writing comes in many different forms. You could be a: journalist, freelance writer, web writer/blogger, travel writer, speechwriter, etc. There are endless ways you can write professionally that are engaging, creative, and fun. 
Law: Want to do more than edit and write? Use your BA in English as a stepping stone! A foundation in English gives you the writing, critical-thinking, and researching skills that allow you to pursue law at a graduate level to become a paralegal, attorney, or even a lobbyist. 
Higher Education: If you’re looking for something a bit more scholarly, a bachelor’s degree in English is a great undergraduate foundation for you to pursue a career in education as a teacher, librarian, or professor. Graduate school is required for all of these careers, and what you learn as an undergraduate will continue to provide value to your graduate studies and your career. 
Many More!: It would be impossible to make an exhaustive list of all the careers an English major can pursue. But that’s my point: studying English is a great way to prepare for any number of fields. Basically, if the job requires communication, writing or speaking, critical thinking, and creativity, it’s worth it to consider majoring in English.