Jobs and Careers
“What can you do with an English degree?”
Career prospects for UConn English majors are limitless. Our students develop skills that are important to all employers, like the ability to read, write, research, and analyze. They engage in hands-on experiences that help them build their resumes and their worldview. After graduation, they find success in a wide range of exciting industries and at some of the top graduate programs in the country.
One major, many careers.
English fortifies you with a versatile career toolkit that will make you highly valued in the 21st-century workplace. As a result, alumni of UConn's English program enjoy careers that are dynamic and fulfilling.
Many of our graduates:
- Land great jobs in industries like publishing, marketing, and education
- Find success in unexpected fields, like law, business, medicine, and community outreach
- Go on to graduate programs in the humanities, arts, and social sciences
- Pursue professional degrees in law, journalism, business, and medicine
Common Fields for Recent Graduates
- Business and financial operations
- Education
- Health care
- Information technology
- Journalism and media
- Legal services
- Marketing and communications
- Nonprofits and community/social services
- Sales and customer service
- Writing, editing, and publishing
Professional Development Resources
UConn English majors build professional skills inside and outside the classroom. Our undergraduate curriculum offers you both flexibility to explore career options and structure to help you achieve your goals. You can also get involved in internships, publications, independent research, and other hands-on experiences. Through it all, you’ll master the skills you need to bring your work to life in the modern age.
Undergraduate Curriculum
No two English majors are exactly alike. That’s why the Department offers flexible major requirements and advising resources to help you chart your professional journey. As part of the English major requirements, students can choose from the following options:
Optional Tracks
The Department curates eight optional tracks with preselected courses centered on topics like creative writing, cultural studies, English teaching, and social justice. Many of these tracks map to popular occupations and can provide students with additional training toward their job goals.
Elective Courses
In place of the optional tracks, students can blaze their own path by selecting elective courses based on their individual interests.
Have questions? Meet with your English advisor to discuss your options.
Internships and Career Panels
Internships can be transformative experiences that help you develop professional skills and discover your likes and dislikes.
UConn offers several opportunities for students to land engaging internships with top employers. For example, the UConn English Writing Internship Program places qualified applicants in rigorous internships with top employers. Students earn course credit and are guided by a faculty mentor.
The Writing Internship Program also coordinates an annual Careers for English Majors panel. These events bring UConn English alumni together with current students to share advice and discuss their career trajectories.
Learn more about internship opportunities and other hands-on experiences.
Center for Career Development
UConn's Center for Career Development partners with the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences to prepare students for success in today’s workforce. The Center offers:
- One-on-one coaching sessions for help with résumés, interviewing, jobs and internships, graduate school applications, and more
- Online tools for connecting with alumni mentors as well as companies looking to recruit UConn students
- In-person and virtual events that help students explore their career options and prepare for professional success