Career Services

What Can I Do With A Major In...

English

Skills and Abilities - What are the skills and abilities needed for careers for English majors

Potential Career Paths - a list of possible career path and links to potential employers

For More Information - Additional links for information about careers as well as books available in the Career Services Library

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Skills and Abilities

Analytical and critical thinking and writing
Thinking, writing, and organizing information under pressure
Editing, proofreading, and drafting documents
Public speaking
Organizing ideas and information logically
Summarizing ideas
Reading and interpreting complex material
Comparing and contrasting ideas
Offering diverse perspectives

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Potential Career Paths

Career Area	Employment Settings	Sample Employers & Internship Sites
WRITING/EDITING
Creative Writing	Television Networks	CBS ABC WEWB NBC
Journalism	Newspapers Magazines	The Legislative Gazette The Associated Press
Freelance	Newspapers Magazines	The Independent Metroland New York Times Self Magazine
Technical Writing	Any organization or publication with technical focus Web Design Firms Software Development Companies	Lockheed Martin Walker Digital Corporation CDI Technical Services Information Design Associates RJ Associates
Book Reviews	Newspapers Magazines	The Times Union Atlantic Monthly
Editing/Copywriting	Personnel Services	A Plus Personnel
MEDIA
Web pages (content or design)	Web design firms Specific companies	Spiral Design Studio International Treasurer
News	Television Stations Radio Stations	CBS News NBC WRGB-TV
LITERATURE-RELATED
Librarian	Community, corporate or university libraries	Albany Public Library
Research, writing, publishing and events planning	Professional Associations	Children's Literature Assoc. Int'l Women's Writing Guild Council of Literary Magazines and Presses Association of Literary Scholars and Critics International Black Writers and Artists
EDUCATION
English as a Second Language	School districts Overseas language schools	Teach For America AEON Corporation Park's Overseas Personnel Service
Professor	Colleges or universities	Various
Reading Specialist	Elementary schools	Various
University Student Services	Admissions Offices Alumni Offices	Various
PUBLISHING
Editorial Design	Magazines Newspapers Publishing houses	Whitston Publishing Company Random House Metroland Delmar Thomson Learning Albany Student Press
Advertising Sales	Magazine Publishers	Psychology Today
Promotion/Marketing	Book Publishers	Random House
GOVERNMENT
Service	Government programs	American Foreign Service Association Peace Corps Americorps
BUSINESS
Management	Retail/service companies	Enterprise Rent-A-Car Macy's
Marketing	Market research firms	Eric Mower & Associates CLT Research Associates
Banking	Banks	Northwestern Mutual Financial Network M&T Bank
Consulting	Consulting firms or organizations	Downtown Albany Business Improvement District
Sales	Department Stores Bookstores Textbook Publishers	Macy's Sears Barnes & Noble Delmar Publishing
Event Planning	Professional organizations	Institute of International Education
ADVERTISING
Creative	Retail Firms Newspapers	Saks Fifth Avenue New York Press
Research	Advertising Agencies	Bayard Advertising
Sales	Radio stations Newspapers Magazines Financial Publications	Albany Broadcasting Company Clear Channel Communications, Inc. SUNY Press Institutional Investors Inc.
Media Buying or Planning Media Research	Advertising or PR agencies Media Services Firms	Taylor Grey Inc. Horizon Media, Inc.
Copywriting/Proofreading	Advertising/PR Agencies	WSPromotion
RETAIL
Management	Any company	Hannaford Bros. Lord & Taylor
Buying	Any company	Talbots
PUBLIC RELATIONS
Research	Public Relations or Media Services Firms	Interlock Media, Inc Makovsky & Company
Writing/Editing	Public Relations Firms Software Companies	Sawchuck, Brown Assoc. Rubenstein Public Relations M Frenkel Communications Inc. Banktrade.com
Copywriting/Editing	Temporary Personnel Services	Editorial Temps, NYC
Media Liaison	Advertising depts. (in-house & agencies) Public relations firms	CSEA Walt & Company Communications The Steven Style Group A. Lavin Communications
Events Planning	Universities Public Relation and Advertising Agencies Personnel Services Professional Media Organizations	Broadstreet Productions Access Staffing Forrest Edwards Group, LTD
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For More Information

University at Albany Department of English
Modern Language Association
American Society of Journalists and Authors
Society for Technical Communication
American Association of Advertising Agencies
American Association of University Presses
Editorial Freelancers Association
Society of American Business Editors and Writers
CDC Library Resources:
- 100 Jobs In Words
- Career Choices for the 90s for Students of English
- Careers for Bookworms & Other Literary Types
- Great Jobs For English Majors
- Careers in Journalism
- Jobs For English Majors & Other Smart People
- Life After Shakespeare: Careers for Liberal Arts Majors
- Opportunities in Writing Careers
- Careers in Communications
- Making it in Book Publishing
- Making Money in Technical Writing
- Opportunities in Journalism Careers

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Contact Us
Science Library G-50	Phone: 518-437-4900
Fax: 518-437-4906	Email: career@uamail.albany.edu