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Sizing   up   an   audience
Reading   for   ideas
In fl uencing   and   persuading
Reading   for   tone   and   a tude
Informing   and   explaining
Interpre ng   confused   language
Rewri ng   and   edi ng
Interpre ng   instruc ons
Simplifying   jargon
Accuracy/clarity   in   wri ng   and   speech
Gathering   informa on
Analyzing   complex   ideas
Crea ve   problem ‐ solving
Designing/direc ng   projects
Thinking   independently
Working   with   self ‐ direc on
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Wri ng   to   di ff erent   audiences
Ability   to   interpret   through   analy cal   reading
Sensi ve   to   nuances   of   language
Ability   to   organize   wri en   work
Analyze   character   and   appraise   people
Research   and   proofreading
Desktop   publishing   skills
Media   literacy
Adap ng   ideas,   fl exibility
Seeing   connec ons
Arguing   logically
Working   in   groups
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Editor/Writer
Journalist
Administra ve   Assistant
Nonpro fi t   Administra on
Fundraiser
Campaign   Manager
Produc on   Assistant
Communica ons   Specialist
Publicity   Assistant
Librarian
Copywriter
Sales   Representa ve
Marke ng/Sales   Manager
Customer   Service   Representa ve
Teacher
*Par ally taken from the University of Wisconsin ‐ River Falls Career Services O ffi ce
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Media   Buyer
Educa on   Director
Fact   Checker
Adver sing   Account   Execu ve
Personnel   Trainee
History   Society   Specialist
Claims   Examiner
Public   Rela ons   Specialist
Legisla ve   Assistant
Community   Rela ons   Specialist
Research   Assistant
Management   Trainee
Cri c
Special   Events   Coordinator
Media   Analyst

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Adver sing   Agencies
Book   &   Magazine   Publishers
Community   Arts   Centers
Community   Service
Organiza ons
Consumer   Organiza ons
Cultural   Organiza ons
Educa onal   Ins tu ons
Financial   Ins tu ons
Founda ons
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Healthcare   Facili es
Historical   Socie es
Hospitality   Organiza ons
Civil   Rights   Commission
Consumer   A ff airs   O ffi ce
Department   of   Educa on
Division   of   Youth   &   Family
Services
Legisla ve   A ff airs
Travel   &   Tourism
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Insurance   Companies
Investment   Firms
Libraries
Market   Research   Companies
Media   (radio/TV)
Museums
Newspapers/Magazines
Public   Rela ons   Firms
Research   Organiza ons
Poli cal   Organiza ons
Ar sts,   broadcasters,   writers,   editors,   entertainers,   public   rela ons
Top   and   mid ‐ level   managers,   execu ves,   administrators
Teachers,   secondary   school
Insurance,   securi es,   real   estate,   business   services
Secretaries,   recep onists,   typists
Sales   occupa ons,   including   retail
Other   management ‐ related   occupa ons
Other   administra ve   (record   clerks)
10.7%
10.6%
10.6%
5.9%
5.1%
4.9%
4.8%
4.8%
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81%   of   employed   English   majors   perform   accoun ng,   fi nance,   and   contractual   du es   as   a   part   of   their   job,   but   only   8%   spend   most   of   their   me   dealing   with   these   du es.
48%   perform   management   and   administra ve   du es   regularly,   with   13%   spending   most   of   their   me   performing   these   du es.
1/3   are   engaged   in   teaching   ac vi es,   while   21%   spend   most   of   their   me   teaching.
Only   26%   earn   a   master’s   degree   in   English.
About   31%   are   earned   in   educa on   and   9%   are   earned   in   business   administra on   and   management.
4%   earn   a   master’s   in   psychology   and   another   3%   in   communica ons.
8   out   of   10   professional   degrees   earned   by   an   English   major   are   in   the   fi eld   of   law,   with   most   of   the
*Taken from The   College   Majors   Handbook   (Fogg, Harrington, & Harrington) 2004
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Teaching English Abroad: A fresh and fully up ‐ to ‐ date guide to teaching English around the world
Vault Guide to Journalism & Informa on Media
Opportuni es in Technical Wri ng Careers
Great Jobs for English Majors
I’m an English Major—Now What? How English majors can fi nd happiness, success, and a real job
What Can You Do with a Major in English?