7 High Paying Careers
English Literature is a broad degree that allows graduates to enter a wide range of careers including law, public relations, marketing, education, and many others. It is the study of all types of literary works in the English language. This includes original and translated works and different forms of media that involve English composition.
English literature is a hugely popular major in the United States with over 40,000 graduates a year. But what does it look like to take courses in English literature here in the US?
English literature students are not just reading their favorite books for fun. Students are taught, through lectures and class discussions, how to be critical thinkers, effective communicators, and strong readers and writers.
They are exposed to different lectures on all the different aspects of literature, from how authors write books to what makes them good or bad. Designed to give you a broad base of knowledge about literature and its themes.
It may be challenging to understand what a degree in English literature is and more importantly what you can do with it after you graduate.
English Literature
English literature studies written and spoken words, their construction, and their function in society. Encompassing many topics, including literary criticism, historical trends, cultural critique, textual analysis, and interpretation.
How does English literature differ from other subjects?
It’s a broad subject:
Literature can be a broad subject and covers a lot of ground. Students will take courses in women’s literature, post-colonial literature, studying text from medieval times or modern society, poetry, or exploring socioeconomic class themes.
You might think this subject is too broad for you, but the main goal is to enhance your analytical and critical skills which require views from different perspectives. This area of study is ideal for students who love to analyze, critique, are open to new ideas, and more importantly, are willing to keep learning and exploring.
Because English literature is a broad subject, there are many ways to learn it!
The goal of studying literature is to analyze and understand what you read. It’s not just about memorizing facts; it’s about understanding why something happened in a specific way and how it relates to other events that have happened in history.
It’s a degree that offers many possibilities:
A degree in English literature can open doors to a wide variety of careers—and it’s a degree that offers many possibilities such as being a writer, editor, or teacher. Others may choose this degree as a stepping stone to other forms of higher education—such as law school.
Teaching is the most common career path for people with a degree in English literature, but there are many other options. If you enjoy writing, consider becoming an editor or writer. And if you have an interest in publishing and marketing, plenty of jobs are available in the field.
It’s not all about reading books:
Many believe that English literature is only about reading books and other materials. But that’s not entirely true. English literature is more than just a set of books and how those books are read. It’s about how the words are used in their context, which is why reading them can be useful for developing your vocabulary and understanding how words work in sentences.
English literature also teaches you how to write in a way that makes sense to people who haven’t studied it before. That’s why reading more than just novels is important: poetry, plays, and other types of writing are also necessary parts of English education.
English literature is also about the way people have used language throughout history. It helps you understand how words have changed over time and how that can affect their meaning.
You’ll also learn how to write clear, concise sentences that make sense, use different types of language (and why), and structure a piece of writing so that it is easy to read. You’ll also learn about the history of English literature, which will help you understand where the language came from and what makes it interesting now.
It can help you develop your skills and future career prospects:
English Literature can be a great way to develop your skills, and it’s also a great way to help you develop your future career prospects.
By studying English Literature, you’ll better understand the world around you and how it works. This can help you develop your skills for writing and speaking, which are important for many careers. You may also be able to learn about different cultures from their writings, which will allow you to be more understanding and compassionate towards people from other countries than if you didn’t know anything about them.
Also, English literature’s content can often be very engaging and exciting. This means that studying it is a great way to keep yourself interested in your studies.
It covers many different genres and eras:
English literature is vast and diverse. It covers many different genres and eras, used to understand the development of language, structure, and style of English. It can also be used as a tool to understand the history and culture of the country.
In addition, English Literature is a great way to keep up with current events. Many of the books and plays covered in an English class are still relevant today, meaning that you can learn more about the world around you by reading them.
What Does a Degree in English Literature in the USA Entail?
You can study English literature outside of the United States but it is not the same as immersing yourself in – not just the language – but the culture and colloquialisms.
Not all English Literature programs are the same
Every university degree program is designed to meet similar but different goals. For example, some schools teach all courses in a seminar-style vs. lecture.
Seminars are discussion groups with typically less than 20 students. Students are assigned reading and work and come to the seminar prepared to share their ideas and respond to their peers’ ideas as well. The classroom is also set up so that students are sitting at a table where they can face each other instead of in chairs with everyone facing the professor. The professor also sits with the students and their role is to facilitate the discussion and deepen the discussion. One of the main benefits of a seminar is the student’s ability to hear and share different perspectives, challenge ideas and come up with new ideas.
Lectures are a more traditional way of learning where a professor teaches the course from the front of the classroom. Students all face the front of the class and is generally not as interactive. The role of the student is to take notes.
The program is holistic:
The degree program is designed to provide a sound foundation in the literature of the United States and its history, traditions, and developments. The key elements of this are the study of British and American literature and cultural studies.
This will include elements such as cultural analysis, criticism, and analysis of texts, while also incorporating specific coursework in these areas. You will also gain a strong understanding of the relationship between literature and society by studying critical theory and its application to American literature.
Expect to take courses that reflect your interests in American literature and those required for your degree program.
You will have access to a wide range of literature outside of what is taught at your universities, such as classic works by authors such as Mark Twain or Charles Dickens, who have influenced American culture greatly over time.
Expect to read novels by authors such as William Faulkner, Stephen Crane, or Edgar Allen Poe, who have influenced American culture through their writing style or themes raised within their texts.
You will likely read a lot of stories and essays:
The English literature major requires you to read many different works by authors like Shakespeare, Austen, and Fitgerald. You will also likely take courses focusing on writing and rhetoric, including courses in literary theory. These courses will teach you how to analyze texts critically and constructively.
You will also likely take courses that focus on the history of English literature, including courses like “The Romantic Period” or “Modernism in Literature.” These courses will teach you about the periods in which these works were written and what life was like for people during that period.
It fosters critical thinking skills and clear communication:
A degree in English literature in the USA entails critical thinking skills and clear communication.
It fosters critical thinking skills and clear communication, which are essential for any professional or academic position. This is because others will read your work, and you need to know how to explain your ideas in a way that makes them easy to understand.
Besides, a degree in English literature also helps you develop a wide range of skills that are useful for finding employment in any field of study. These include writing skills, research techniques, reading comprehension skills, and more.
You can learn about the practical aspects of writing:
Learning about the practical aspects of writing is one of the best parts of studying English Literature. You’ll learn about how to construct sentences, how to use punctuation, and how to write creatively. In addition, you will learn how to write in different styles and genres and research, analyze, and evaluate texts.
You will also study basic English grammar and usage. Learn about how to write essays and research papers, as well as how to work with different types of literature. You can also study the historical context of works of literature and even get to read some classic texts from other cultures.
You will likely learn about how to write for different audiences:
When you go to a university in the US and study English literature, you will likely learn how to write for different audiences. The most important thing about writing is that it can be used for many things, and you must know what those purposes are to use your skills in the best possible way.
You will learn about different types of writing: academic writing, journalistic writing, persuasive writing, and so on. You will also learn how to use different types of grammar in each type of writing.
It builds connections across the humanities and beyond:
A degree in English literature in the USA offers you a broad and deep understanding of the humanities. It builds connections across the humanities and beyond, including philosophy, religion, sociology, psychology, economics, and history.
A degree in English literature also provides you with hands-on experience through the study of literature itself. You’ll learn how to analyze literary works by reading them critically and writing reports on them. You’ll also be able to apply what you’ve learned during your studies to real-life situations.
So, these are the benefits of getting a degree in English literature. But what about the practical benefits? Let’s find out.
Possible Careers with a Degree in English Literature
If you have a degree in English literature, you’ll be able to find a wide range of career options. In the United States, it is not uncommon to have a career that is not in your field of study as some degrees tend to be broad. English Literature students learn to be critical thinkers, strong writers, and communicators which are desirable skills in many careers. So while many go into careers not related to literature, here are some of the most closely related careers:
Technical Writing:
Technical writers work in many fields but, accounting to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the majority work in the computer and management, scientific and technical industries. Tasked with simplifying complex and sometimes technical information. You’ll need to have strong writing skills and be able to write clear and concise instructions for people unfamiliar with your topic.
Journalism and Media:
Journalists educate the public by reporting on their research and investigation. Often employed by newspapers, television, or radio.
Editing and Publishing:
Many English literature majors pursue careers in editing or publishing. Publishers do everything from discovering and selecting works to publishing, negotiating contracts, editing, and marketing the book. You could also start your own editing business and edit books for authors who want help polishing their manuscripts.
Teaching:
Teaching is a common career for people with a degree in English literature. Some international students are excited to study it because they know there are many English teaching jobs when they return to their home country.
Is English Literature for You?
English literature is the right major for you if you:
- Enjoy reading
- Enjoy thinking critically
- Enjoy communication in different forms
- Are open-minded
Conclusion
As you can see, English Literature – this wildly popular degree in the United States – the main focus is on critical thinking, writing, and different forms of communication which are all skills you can transfer into so many thriving careers here in the United States and abroad.
By going through this guide, you should be able to make an informed decision about whether English literature is the right degree for you.
