Is an English degree alone attractive to employers, what minor subject would complement it?

Question

Hi I'm tempted to just do english alone at university, I've been accepted into english with modern history & english with philosophy at a really outstanding UK uni. The uni has said it would be possible to swap philosophy for international studies or politics which gives me more options to confuse myself with. Is english on it's own going to limit career opportunities?

I'd prefer to talk about Dicken's driving a taxi than crunch numbers for the rest of my life- accounting doesn't appeal!

I'd be interested in a career in television production, something in developing or promoting the arts, or something in publishing.

I can change a light bulb :D

Answer 1

I answered this when it was first posted but decided to wait and see what would be presented.

I was an English Honors student at Denver University, well long ago.

I ended up a psychologist. The one thing that was a constant for my entire undergraduate, graduate and Ph.D experience and my first work experience was my degree in English.

From my early days in Graduate school I was the one assigned to mentor the undergrads on the basic skills of writing and research. A dreadful task for most in university teaching-instructor roles: working with "near illiterate" undergraduate students. :-)

Soon I was writing grants for other faculty
and reviewing papers, research for publication.

I was hired often because of my ability to communicate on paper and lend that asset to my employer. My hobby was culinary arts: being a Chef my "retirement" goal. Again, I was offered a good deal to enter into that world as well: someone has to write the cookbooks, do reviews, but after writing clinical reports for many years I was myself becoming weary. When one enters the realm of politics, or any role in any form of commence there will always be a need for the skills gained via an English degree.

Good luck: avoid psychology it is just a skill that is no different than analyzing the characters of Shakespeare
and it becomes repetitive after a few decades.

Answer 2

I suppose I can't answer this question, but I can relate! I'm a junior in college and this past year I switched from Journalism major to English Major! The reason for my switch is because I enjoy the type of writing and reading I get to do in English Literature courses and talking/debating the meanings, etc. I don't really know what direction I want to go after college, but am leaning towards getting a Master's in Library Science, or going into Education (either way, I have two more years of school ahead of me). I feel like I am much better at things like research because of my switch, and that it allows me to think deeper. So it may not be satisfactory as a career choice, but it's what makes me happy, and that's the most important thing... RIGHT?!

Answer 3

You didn't say what kind of a career you're looking for. If anything other than teaching English or Literature, editor or as an entree to Law School you're plumb out of luck. You probably couldn't even get a job on a newspaper unless you minor in journalism. Philosophy as a minor will be BIG help (not). Why don't you try a minor in political science or, even better, accounting so you can do something other than drive a taxi and speak to your riders articulately about Dickens.

Answer 4

Ashymojo is a type of character you are going to meet all your life, jealous of anyone with a degree because hasn't got what it takes to get one. I wonder why he thinks having a degree precludes having common sense.

Anyway, regarding the degree, if you simply want to be a teacher then a single subject degree will get you that but if you wanted to go into media, perhaps as a journalist, then a wider range of subjects is desirable.

Actually, as English is so interwoven with history, culture, philosophy, government and politics I can't see why taking any of these would be a distraction.

If you think of the practical use of English, as a language, not just as a degree major, what is the point of being an expert in any language if you are short of subject matter to apply it to.

Answer 5

Depending on what career paths interest you, you could do English with Marketing or Advertising, English with Drama, English with another language... There are literally thousands of combinations - its just a case of finding out what's right for you. And remember - you are able to change within the first 8 weeks if you find that the course isn't for you. Just do your research.

Answer 6

What kind of publishing do you want to go into? If it's journalism, minor in journalism. If you want to become a novel publisher then english with a creative writing focus is a good way to go. Or perhaps you could minor in business administration. That would give you the opportunity to shoot for a managing editor position.

Answer 7

You could have all the Degrees in the World but if you don't have common sense and some Practical skills they wont be worth the paper they are printed on.
As an Employer you would be no good to me if for example you couldn't change a light bulb.

I would like to Reply to Graham H Comments,

Yes i am one of the type of person you will meet all your life because i am an Employer who will Employ the students who have studied hard for years to get there Degrees. But then are unable to get jobs in the field they have chosen.
Yes i may be thick as **** but i own my own Company and Employ people.
It could pay you to look at your attutide towards us uneducated because remember one day u may need us

Answer 8

Take up a couple of more languages would always be useful. With interest in arts, ( not promoting the arts; "the" is wrong & superfluous in this case; I only mention it as you study English as your main subject ), maybe you should also study movie making, TV programming, multimedia communication.

Answer 9

No I don't think so. Applying for jobs is like selling cars. You are selling the whole packages not just part of it.

Employers are not only looking for some part of you, not only on what you know, but on how you are going to present it..

Answer 10

engllish with international studies sounds really good- go 4 that