/ English Department

After Graduation

Our students go on to build careers in publishing and marketing, earn advanced degrees in a number of fields and serve as teachers and educators across the country.

Opportunities for English majors are limitless. The critical thinking and problem-solving skills students learn through our degree program serve as the base for success in any job market. Close reading, accurate writing and the ability to listen well lead graduates into satisfying careers and excellent graduate programs.

Visit our alumni page for info on resources and services 

Career Paths

Below is a listing of careers and fields our English major graduates have entered after graduation. Alumni report high job satisfaction after graduation — and they have the résumés to prove it.

  • Technical communication/writing
  • Public relations
  • Social media for government and private organizations
  • Marketing/information marketing
  • Nonprofit department/project manager
  • Director of regional/national organizations
  • Americorps
  • Writing/copywriting/editing
  • Financial consultant/coordinator
  • Advertising agencies/departments
  • Broadcasting (radio and TV
  • Community relations
  • Financial agencies/affairs
  • Editing/publishing
  • Government agencies/affairs
  • Grant writing
  • Health advocacy
  • Human resources
  • Law
  • Public affairs
  • Sales and customer service
  • Sports information
  • Teaching
  • Advocacy coordinator
  • Character performer – Disney World
  • Consultant
  • Dance teacher/dance performance
  • Director of community relations
  • Editor-in-chief
  • Graduate instructional assistant
  • Management trainee
  • Mechanical engineer
  • Online marketing specialist
  • Research chemist
  • Urban Education Fellow
Alumni Profiles

Sam Mason ’19 – Global Partnerships Specialist at Lions Clubs International Foundation

Shanley Smith ’19 – Missionary and Community Advocate

Melanie Burkhardt ’18 – Acquisitions Assistant at Baker Publishing Group

Angie Hines ’18 – 4th grade Literacy teacher at Believe Memphis Academy

Kyle Bernaciak ’16 – Chicago Police Officer

Laura Van Oss ’15 – Teacher in Honduras

Natalia Connelly (Granzotto '13 – Communications at Calvin College

Annalise Klein ’14 – AP Chemistry Teacher

Alex Mouw ’14 – Writer & Professor

Kian Hashemi-Rad ’14 – Retail Operations Manager at Warby Parker HQ

Sara Sanchez ’14 – English Teacher

Brooke Furry ’13 – Marketing Manager

Stephanie Mouw ’13 – Writer/Editor for Purdue University’s Marketing and Media Department

Kasidee Karsten ’13 – Social Media and Content Manager for the National Football League Players Association

Emily Henry ’12 – Bestselling Author

Chris O'Brien ’12 – Editor, Writer, and owner of Long Overdue, a publishing company.

Matthew Baker ’09 – Author & Screenwriter

Peter Derby ’05 – Television Writer

Kate Bode-lang ’02 – Writer and Director of Education and Quality Management in the Office for Research Protections at Penn State University.

Sally Smits Masten ’01 – Writing Center mentor at Western Governors University

Sarah Smith ’97 – Hospital teacher/school liaison at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital

Annette Bourland ’94 – Senior Vice President and Group Publisher for Zondervan,  of HarperCollins Global Publishing