Is an English Degree Worth It?

English degrees provide a wide range of opportunities for ambitious students with a passion for reading, writing and communication. An English degree may lead to many benefits and career opportunities. Here are several reasons why an English degree is a worthy investment.

Rewarding Challenge

English degree programs can offer a rewarding challenge. There is a lot of reading and writing involved. You may end up spending more time studying in the library than your friends who earn majors in more technical and skills-based degrees. This challenge, though, can prepare you well for a rewarding career or future education. The studying you must do for your English degree may lead you to success in law school, graduate school and many industries.

Transferable Skills

English language degrees provide highly transferable skills. The skills that you learn as an English major can be used in many different jobs. Leaders with excellent communication skills are needed in the field of change management. Marketers who can write clear branding content can help companies thrive. Your English degree can help you get your foot in the door in diverse fields, whether you seek employment in copywriting, publishing or public relations.

Critical and Creative Thinking

The curriculum that you access during an English degree program requires you to be a strong critical thinker. Like any type of art, literature can be dissected and interpreted in many ways. You will be asked about the meaning of what you read. Also, you will have to share your unique thoughts in writing. The creative aspects of an English degree can help you think independently in your future career. Employers are looking for employees who can “think outside the box,” and an English degree can help you do that. Creative writing and other artistic fields can also benefit from an English degree curriculum.

Communication Skills

Communication is one of the key skills that employers are looking for when they are hiring. Companies need employees to help with both internal and external communication. This ranges from creating emails to developing content for stakeholders.

Additionally, English majors are able to craft manuals and other workplace job aids due to their attention to detail and the written word. Employers also find that English majors can give strong presentations and build persuasive arguments that may be important to an organization.

Variety of Curriculum

English majors benefit from a well-rounded education expanding beyond literature review and analysis. English majors take classes in technical writing and business communications, making the degree more relevant to future employment. English degree holders may also have studied diverse literature from around the world, making them more conscientious and inclusive thinkers.

Freelance Opportunities

English degree holders can find freelance work as content writers. Many companies hire writers to work on specific projects. Marketing agencies and departments may also hire freelancers to keep overhead costs low. Many people without specific training in English are applying for writing-focused jobs, so an English degree holder can stand out among other applicants. This type of work can often be done at nights or on weekends, so your English degree can help you supplement any other work you choose.

Transferable Skills

Some employers may not initially see the connection between an English degree and the job for which you are applying. You will have to use your persuasive skills to sell them on how the degree makes you the best candidate for the job. Remember, an English degree program develops a wide range of transferable skills. Make sure you discuss these when you are on the job hunt.

At Grand Canyon University, our Bachelor of Arts in English focuses on professional writing. This means that the skills that you learn in your English degree program can be immediately transferable to a career out of college. To learn more about the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, click the Request Info button at the top of this page.