This question (sometimes ending "besides teach") is a favorite of both prospective majors and their parents. The answer is: plenty of things. Many prospective employers are delighted to hire employees who are skilled at reading, writing, thinking carefully and creatively, and working well with people—all skills that English and writing majors learn.
According to a study by the National Association of Colleges and Employers, the top 10 personal qualities/skills (in order) that employers in all fields seek are:
At Bluffton, many English majors do become licensed to teach in public schools. Other graduates pursue a wide variety of careers such as journalism, law, business, higher education and more. Others go to graduate school to study many different subjects—not only literature and creative writing, but business, communication, sociology, law and other fields.
The Bluffton Career Development Center provides many resources for students seeking employment, applying to graduate schools and exploring their interests and abilities. Visit the Career Development Center's page: What to do with an English major
