Being a passionate lover of literature, pursuing a degree in English Literature will let you explore the world of Shakespeare, Charles Dickens, Leo Tolstoy, George Eliot, and several other renowned authors. Despite some misconceptions, English Literature can be a lucrative career choice. It will provide you with industry knowledge and you can acquire skills that will help you stand out from the crowd. You will achieve fluency, get better at communicating with others and at expressing your emotions and thoughts, and make a sustainable career out of it.
If you are a graduate with a degree in English Literature and wondering what career prospects you can have, then don’t worry as this article will explore some of the lucrative career options that will help you decide which profession will serve you the best.
1. Freelance Writer
Starting with one of the most versatile jobs you can pursue, freelancing is probably a great career option, firstly because you will be working on your own terms, and there is a huge demand for freelance writers in the employment market. So, if you possess prolific writing skills and have knowledge about different writing styles and you simply love writing, then this could serve you the best. You will find several opportunities for online websites, online magazines, online blog sites, and students who need essay writer help, and the list continues. Freelancing will offer freedom and flexibility to work whenever you want, as much as you want, wherever you want to work.
The demand for content writers and bloggers is growing with the digitally transforming world. If you are a word connoisseur and have an avid interest in writing, then working as a freelance writer is worth it. Moreover, your income may reach a rough $40,000-$50,000 a year, on average.
2. Marketing Public Relations
This is a lucrative career option and you will be able to apply all of the skills you have developed during your 3-4-year academic journey as this job involves creative writing, critical writing, and writing in different styles. It will require you to write press releases, create a new vision or mission for your organization, or a product slogan. You would have better prospects here if you earn an additional major in marketing, economics, or other subjects of business. There is so much room for growth and promotion in this field. You can become a PR Specialist or a Marketing Manager.
3. Publishing
You can take up a job as a commissioning editor who looks for fresh new talents. As an English Literature graduate, you can choose to work in this domain as it offers a variety of roles ranging from editors to marketing professionals. You may also take up a job at various paper writer service as a content writer, proofreader, copywriter, or literary agent. Several publishing houses look for interns having an English Literature degree and this will help you gain work experience and build your resume better.
4. Teaching Profession
This is one of the most common career options for English Literature graduates. Most of the students who have pursued this degree want to take up a teaching profession and there’s no doubt there is always a demand for teachers, professors, and lecturers throughout the world. What you would require is an additional teaching certification apart from the English Literature degree. And of course, you should have a passion for teaching.
Teaching is definitely not everybody’s cup of tea. You must be passionate about it and this no doubt is such a noble profession. With experience, you can start teaching students of higher levels. To be a college professor, there could be some more qualifications required according to different institutions in different states and countries. Remember, it’s not an easy task, it is rather challenging and requires passion, sincerity, dedication, and perseverance. Acquiring a higher degree like a master’s or Ph.D. will allow you to teach at the college and university level.
5. Creative Writer/ Blog Writer/ Content Writer
If you are a word connoisseur and are excellent with words and you love composing poems, prose, and novels, with a creative mindset, then becoming a creative writer will be awesome. It will certainly work out to be great for an English Literature graduate like you. Or you may take up a job as a content writer or blog writer and these positions are in high demand in the job market right now. Content writing has become an integral part of marketing. And if you have excellent writing skills and a creative mind, and if you can articulate your thoughts clearly, then you shouldn’t look any further, but pursue as a blog or content writer. These jobs are well-remunerative as well and there are several prospects for success in the career in this domain.
6. Media and Journalism
A career in the media is well-remunerative and is high paying as it is onerous. Numerous career options are available starting from directing, dialogue writing, and scriptwriting to filmmaking and blogging. But keep in mind that as glamorous as it is to have a career in media. It is equally taxing, with long hectic hours of work having little or no break. Journalism, on the other hand, indulges in writing about events. And writing articles for magazines, newspapers, or websites. And it requires you to be updated with the trends and current events. A career in journalism is challenging and requires hard work. Dedication and persistence, and a flair for writing in a way that will stir people’s emotions.
7. Editor or Copywriter
These two domains offer broad career options for young talents who have a degree in English Literature. You can land a job at a local newspaper firm. Where you can work as a writer or editor for a weekly/monthly, print magazine or online site newspaper. The work of an editor involves the restructuring of content. Where you need to finetune an article by making it reader-friendly. You will also have to decide whether an article will be published or not. Since you already have a degree in English Literature, you will have the required skills and competencies to check the clarity and cohesiveness of the content.
As a copywriter, you will be employed to write advertising or publicity copy. In this case, you don’t have to edit content instead create and someone else will proofread your work and will decide whether your work is good or requires editing. Depending on where you work, the purpose of writing content will differ, you may have to write any paper for advertising, promotion, to inform, or selling. On the whole, this will require a passion for writing and reading.
Well, the list of career opportunities and jobs does not end here. You will find more job possibilities below, and these either are directly related to the English Literature degree. Or where you can put your literature degree to good use.
- Librarian
- Talent agent
- Private Tutor
- Journalist
- Mass Communication
- Researcher
- Paralegal
- Education consultant
- Translator
- Social media specialist
All things considered, English Literature is a field. That requires you to have a passion for the subject and its related curriculum. It’s not just limited to a theoretical sphere of rote learning. But it requires contemplation of history, philosophy, psychology, and a special love for words. Hopefully, this article will help you sort out which career option will be more suitable for you. And remember, follow your heart and pursue a career that you will love and enjoy.
