UX Writer
As our world becomes ever more digital, UX (User Experience) writing has emerged as an important role in tech companies. UX writers design the language found on websites, apps, and digital interfaces to help users navigate and understand the product. This might sound straightforward, but it’s not an easy task: UX writers must master clear, concise language and anticipate users’ needs and questions. English majors are trained to carefully consider audience, tone, and word choice. UX writing requires empathy and an understanding of how people read and interpret information. English majors also bring storytelling skills, which can help in making products engaging and user-friendly rather than merely functional.
Medical Scribe
Medical scribes work alongside healthcare professionals to document patient encounters, update electronic health records, and ensure that details are accurately recorded. On-site and remote medical scribe jobs offer a rare opportunity to be part of the healthcare team without being a licensed medical professional. It’s a job that rewards precision, listening, and documentation skills – qualities that English majors possess. English majors also have the research skills and attention to detail necessary to pick up new vocabulary. For those considering a healthcare career, scribing provides great experience in healthcare settings and medical processes.
Fundraising for Nonprofits
Nonprofit organizations rely on fundraising and development specialists to secure donations, grants, and sponsorships to fund their missions. English majors are skilled in persuasive writing and storytelling. From grant writing to donor communication, they can use their skills to convey the nonprofit’s mission and impact, and inspire people to contribute. For English grads with a passion for social causes, fundraising offers the chance to use their skills for a meaningful purpose.
Social Media Manager
Social media managers are responsible for creating content and analyzing metrics across Instagram, X, and other social media platforms. Crafting engaging content takes creativity and an understanding of tone and audience, making English majors well-suited to the role. English grads are also used to analyzing texts, which helps them interpret audience behaviour on social media. A social media manager’s job is about posting, but also about building a brand’s online presence and fostering community.
Speechwriter
English majors develop skills in persuasive writing, which is exactly what speeches require. Speechwriters write for public figures, executives, and politicians, carefully shaping each word to convey the intended message. English majors learn about the rhythm and flow of language, allowing them to create speeches that are impactful and memorable. This career may be perfect for writers who want to be involved in public discourse without stepping into the spotlight themselves.
Legal Assistant
While most people associate legal jobs with law degrees, English majors can make excellent legal assistants and paralegals. They can use their critical thinking and careful reading to research case law, draft legal documents, and organize information for attorneys. Their writing skills are valuable for creating summaries, memos, and other documents that require clarity and precise language.
Museum Curator
For those who have a passion for history and storytelling, working in a museum or archive can be fascinating. Museum curators manage collections, preserve artifacts, and create exhibits that engage and educate visitors. English majors’ love for research and eye for detail can help in cataloguing items and constructing narratives. These roles involve writing descriptions and exhibit text, requiring the skills that English grads develop to make complex ideas accessible.
Film and TV Script Reader
Script readers work for film and TV production companies to evaluate the potential of scripts. The role requires an understanding of storytelling, character development, and pacing – areas where English majors excel. A script reader assesses the strength and weaknesses of a screenplay, writes coverage (a summary and analysis), and recommends whether the script should be produced.
Game Narrative Designer
A game narrative designer, or game writer, helps make video games compelling by creating the storyline, dialogue, and character arcs. Modern video games are often played as much for their stories as their gameplay, with certain genres like RPGs often containing detailed plots and complex characters. This could be a dream job for an English major interested in gaming.
Translator
For English majors who are bilingual, working as a translator can be a rewarding career. Translators convert written material into another language while retaining its meaning and tone. The ability to understand nuance and communicate effectively makes English majors well-suited for the role, especially when it involves translating complex texts like literature, legal documents, or medical information. Those who enjoy fiction may be able to work on translations of favourite authors’ works.
