Careers by Major - English

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Careers for graduates

There are many different career options available for English graduates. Below is a sample of types of positions that English graduates have gone on to.

Note: This is not an exhaustive list as there are many other careers available. Many positions require additional education or experience.

  • Public Relations*
  • Publisher*
  • Fundraiser*
  • Copy Writer*
  • Media Trainee - Advertising
  • Print Journalist*
  • Editor*
  • Publications Specialist
  • Writer*
  • Critic*
  • Researcher*
  • Sign Language Interpreter*
  • Television and Radio Reporter*
  • Actor*
  • Director/Casting Director*
  • Film, Television, or Journalism Broadcaster
  • Human Resources*
  • Media Sales Representative
  • Marketing Researcher
  • Account Coordinator
  • Underwriter – Insurance*
  • Copy Editor
  • Insurance Broker*
  • Lawyer*
  • Policy Analyst–Federal Government
  • Correctional Officer-Provincial Gov’t
  • Program Co-ordinator
  • Foreign Service Worker
  • Program Director
  • Lobbyist*
  • Teacher*
  • Professor*
  • Academic Advisor
  • Principal/Director of Education or of Adult Education
  • Librarian*
  • Academic Advisor
  • Special Events Coordinator
  • Marketing Assistant
  • Information Specialist
  • Archivist*
  • Special Events Coordinator*
  • Motivational Speaker*
  • Corporate Trainer*
  • Customer Service Representative
  • Technical Writer

Note: career profiles for many of the above jobs are available in the Career Centre. Those marked with an asterisk (*) can be viewed using Career Cruising, a Canadian electronic career guide which is available to University of Toronto students with a Career Centre online account.

Who employs English graduates?

  • Human Resource Departments
  • Market Research Companies
  • Public Relations and Advertising Firms
  • Publishing Companies
  • Boards of Education
  • Libraries
  • Universities & Colleges
  • Financial Institutions
  • Museums
  • Not-for-profit agencies
  • Government/Courts/Police
  • Media Companies

Skills developed by English majors

Analytical Skills:

  • Using critical judgement to analyze and summarize research findings

Research Skills:

  • Evaluate ideas and research
  • Gather information and data
  • Literature reviews using libraries and internet
  • Interpret research and data
  • Reading and thinking critically; using unfamiliar materials and generating new ideas
  • Using secondary sources and incorporating an author/critic’s idea in one’s research paper

Communication Skills:

  • Ability to formulate and defend positions
  • Ability to write detailed research papers and summarize concepts and ideas
  • Use vocabulary to suit a wide variety of audiences
  • Read and understand both primary and secondary sources
  • Explain concepts and strategies well enough in research papers to influence and persuade the reader

Information Gathering:

  • Reading and analyzing complex texts
  • Sorting, compiling and ranking information

Critical thinking/Problem solving:

  • Excellent experience in critical reading
  • Ability to reason logically
  • Synthesizing ideas
  • Formulating questions relevant to clarifying a particular problem, topic, or issue

Writing/Editing Skills:

  • Reading and thinking critically; using unfamiliar materials and generating new ideas
  • Reading and analyzing a text
  • Perform a close reading of the text and provide an analysis of the passage
  • Able to argue or defend a position
  • Correct usage of grammar
  • Able to write clearly

Sample job listings for graduating students/recent graduates

Below is a sample of the types of positions that have recently been posted with the Career Centre for graduating students or recent graduates. To access full-time opportunities (for up to two years after graduation), you must first attend an orientation. Drop by or call us at 905-828-5451 for more information.

  • Journalist, Champion Enterprises
  • Librarian, IBM Canada Ltd.
  • Media Librarians, Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
  • ESL Teacher, CNS Recruiting
  • Policy Analyst, Ministry of Education, Colleges and Universities

Don't forget about U of T Mississauga alumni!

Check out our Alumni Profiles page, to read profiles of UTM alumni who have studied in this area, find out about their career path and how their experiences have affected their career direction.

How to get experience

Start early by seeking relevant summer, part-time and volunteer opportunities that will help you gain experience and develop the skills that employers want. Below is a sample of the types of temporary positions that have recently been posted with the Career Centre. To access the summer, part-time, temporary and volunteer postings, register with the Career Centre Online.

Work-Study Program

The Work-Study program provides eligible U of T students with an opportunity to work
on campus during the academic year and gain academic/career related experience. Previous postings have included:

  • Editorial Assistant, UTM Department of Language Studies
  • SET Interviewer and Writer, UTM – Research Office
  • Library Assistant, UTM Career Centre

Part-Time

  • Biology Proof-reader, Swift & Sellers Publishing Inc.
  • Copywriter, Hearthstone Communications Ltd.
  • Publishing Assistant, Mediacorp Canada Inc.
  • English Instructor, Hanson International Academy
  • Freelance Creative Writers, Niche Lifestyle Magazine
  • Historical Interpreter, (City of Toronto Parks, Forestry, and Recreation)

Research Opportunity Program (ROP) at UTM

You can gain experience by volunteering to participate in faculty member’s research project. To do so, approach the professor with whom you would like to work or apply for UTM’s Research Opportunity Program (ROP). The necessary forms can be downloaded from our web-site at www.utm.utoronto.ca/careers.

Previous project titles for English include:

  • Shakespeare Stage Design in England
  • Preventing Plagiarism and Promoting Academic Integrity
  • Their America: An Anthology

Internships

Many organizations offer internship opportunities to recent graduates in English. Below is a short list of suggestions, but there are many more! Consult the Canada Student Employment Guide and other sources in our Career Resource Library.

  • Department of Canadian Heritage
  • Random House Publishing
  • Canadian Museum of Civilization
  • Corporation Commonwealth of Learning
  • Canadian Embassy, Washington DC
  • Char Yarr Films
  • Toronto Life Magazine

Volunteer Opportunities

  • Writer, Toronto Somali Television & Radio
  • Archivist, U of T

Learn more about careers of interest

Extern Job Shadowing Program
Extern is a career exploration program that offers you the opportunity to meet with people working in your preferred career area for placements of 1-5 days.

Samples of previous extern placements include: Human Resources Manager; Publisher/Editor; Editor/Writer; Lawyer; Public Relations; Archivist; Head Manager of the Public Library; Newsroom Coordinator, Radio Journalism

Alumni Binder
Learn from U of T graduates and how they transferred their degree to the world of work. We have alumni profiles in the Career Centre from English graduates who want to share their experiences and advice. Previous Alumni positions include: Teacher; Librarian; Broadcast Journalist; Editor; Freelance Writer; Associate Editor; Director of Continuing Educations; Client Relations Assistant; Communications Coordinator.

Networking Binder
Speak with professionals, many of whom are U of T graduates, willing to talk about their careers and eager to share their experiences and advice. The binder includes such as media, human resources and government.

Professional associations and employment links:

Each industry has affiliated associations. There are many benefits of becoming a member of an association, such as stating your affiliation on your resume. In addition to your experiences and the completion of your university degree, a student membership in an association is one way to get an edge in the job market. It also furthers your knowledge of a particular field.

Resources

Career Centre Library Resources:

  • Great Jobs for English Majors by Julie DeGalan & Stephen Lambert
  • I’m an English Major—Now What? By Tim Lemire
  • Careers for Bookworms and other Literary Types by Marjorie Eberts & Margaret Gisler
  • What You Can Do With an Arts Degree by Dave Studd & Philip Schofield
  • Great Jobs for Art Majors by Blythe Camenson
  • Careers for Writers and Others Who Have a Way with Words by Robert W. Bly
  • Careers in Fundraising by L. Wagner
  • 101 Career Alternatives for Teachers by Margaret Gisler

Panel Packages:

  • Alumni Career Night: Writing & Communications Networking Event (Nov. 2008)
  • Careers in Writing and Communications
  • Careers in Professional Writing Panel Package (2004)
  • Careers in Languages
  • Focus on Publishing (2003)
  • Focus on: Careers in Media and Communication (2001)

Web Links:

  • The Department of English and Drama at UTM
  • Writing at the University of Toronto
  • The Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL)

The Career Centre Resource Library is located in DV 3094. For more information please visit us, call 905-828-5451 or e-mail: careers.utm@utoronto.ca

What's your next step? Take a look at our Sample Career Plan to see suggested steps that you can take towards developing your career-work search plan. Check our Events Calendar regularly for upcoming career related events (we offer several networking events and panels throughout the year). Watch for our Get Experience Fair (held annually in September), the Graduate and Professional School Fair (held annually in late September or early October), and the Summer Job Fair (held annually in January).