Where Do I Go With English?
WHAT COULD AUTHOR AND ARTIST Dr. Seuss, filmmaker Martin Scorsese, Supreme Court Justice Clearance Thomas, actor Renée Zellweger, and astronaut Sally Ride possibly all have in common? Five little words: bachelor of arts in English.
Although those five people took very different career paths, each reaped the benefits of choosing a college major that let them explore their love of literature and writing while gaining the valuable communication and critical-thinking skills that employers in just about every field require. As you'll see in the following four job profiles, whether working at a Fortune 500 company or for a Hollywood studio, English majors can literally write their own ticket.
LITERARY AGENT
YOU MIGHT NOT SUSPECT THAT LITERARY AGENTS DEAL in numbers, but for Jennifer Repo, a literary agent with Joelle Delbourgo Associates, a few stick out in her mind:
50--the number of book ideas Repo receives each week from writers looking for an agent; 1--the number of clients :she'll take on out of that 50; 1 in 10---the chances she'll sell any given book idea to a publisher.
"It's typical to get a lot of rejections, and it's something that I had to learn to be OK with," Repo explains. "That's why I've [come] to really love working with authors and supporting them."
Repo spends much of her time poring over the submissions she receives, looking for something that catches her eye-Once she identifies projects she wants to represent, she works closely with the authors to fine-tune their ideas,
"I love the creative process of seeing something on paper and knowing that with a few changes it can actually be appealing to a large audience," says Repo, who does everything from tweaking a title to reworking the structure of an entire book. Her ultimate goal is to persuade a publisher to take a chance on her client and publish the book. "My background in English helps me identify good writing more easily. Plus a lot of people refer to the great writers of our time, so knowing their work is important," she says.
Understanding the ever-changing publishing market and knowing what editors are looking for are big parts of Repo's job as well. She has carved out her own niche for the types of projects she likes to represent--health, memoir, women's issues, and self-help. "I try to match my clients' projects with editors who have the same kind of taste, I wouldn't send an editor who loves crime fiction a novel about William Shakespeare," she explains.
Like Repo, most literary agents end up working in small agencies of about two to five people. The majority of these agencies are located in New York City. Some literary agents work solo. Others find jobs at larger agencies of 10 or more people in New York or Los Angeles.
TECHNICAL WRITER
IF YOU'VE EVER READ INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO DOWNLOAD music onto your iPod or send a text message from your cell phone, then you've come in contact with technical writing. And though their words may not end up on the bestseller list, technical writers are responsible for important documents, from instruction manuals for technology and training materials for scientific equipment to virtually all written, communication about computers and software.
"Even though I came to this career with an English degree, I also had a big interest in computers as a hobbyist, playing games or setting up stuff and coding," says Tim Elhajj, a technical writer for Microsoft, where he writes white papers, or documents that explain to customers how to use different software.
Because his writing is meant to instruct readers, Elhajj needs to know the software he's writing about inside and out and be able to explain it in understandable, straightforward terms. "Sometimes I do nothing but write, but a bigger part of my job is doing research," he explains.
The technology boom has created many more technical writing jobs, and there are no signs of a slowdown anytime soon. In fact, growth in technical writing is predicted to out-pace that of any other writing field.
Elhajj loves his job, except when he's stressed about deadlines during key crunch times. But that's just part of working in a fast-paced industry. "The technology changes so quickly, so you have to have a desire to keep learning things over again and seeing what new innovations are out there," he says.
SCREENWRITER
MEGHAN MCCARTHY HAS ALWAYS BEEN A MOVIE BUFF. So it seems only natural that she'd use her degree in English to write for the big screen. "I get a kick out of the fact that I make up stuff for a living, and none of it would exist if I didn't put it down on paper," she says.
As a screenwriter, McCarthy comes up with ideas for movies and television shows, developing characters and plots that she pitches, or presents, to studios or movie producers, hoping they'll bite. "Usually the first thing a studio will do is hire me to write a treatment, which is a 10-page prose version of the story, just to make sure everyone is on the same page," McCarthy explains. If they like what they read, she'll be hired to write the full-length screenplay, which takes her between six and eight weeks.
Often, however, studios will hire a screenwriter to work on a screenplay--and then never produce the film. For many screenwriters, this can be frustrating. Still, it can be a rewarding career for those who simply love to write.
McCarthy loves that screenwriting allows her to exercise both sides of her brain--the right for coming up with ideas and the left for getting them down on paper in the strict screenplay format. "There are a lot of structural rules in screenwriting, but there's still plenty of room for you to develop your own voice," she explains.
How does her English background relate to her job, McCarthy says, "It's helpful to have an understanding of the story structure and what the audience is expecting out of any given genre."
As is the case with many jobs in Hollywood, screenwriting is a tough business to enter. Without a strong passion to make it, many would-be screenwriters give up if they don't find success right away. "If you're wiling to stick to it and develop your craft, you'll find success," McCarthy says. She excelled at writing in high school and participated in an honors program that introduced her to playwriting and screenwriting.
McCarthy landed one of the few spots out of thousands of applicants for Disney's prestigious Writing Fellowship Program. In the two-year fellowship, McCarthy learned insider tips about the business of moviemaking.
Some screenwriters choose to work with a partner, while others, like McCarthy, go it alone. But either way, most screenwriters spend a lot of time by themselves, either researching their ideas or hunched over a computer, typing away. As a result, screenwriters have to be self-motivated. "No one is coming over to your house every day and saying, 'Shouldn't you be turning off the online game and get to writing?' So being able to manage your time is important," she explains jokingly.
But McCarthy wouldn't have it any other way--she loves the freedom her job gives her. "I'm working here at home; I can hang out with my dogs. … What could be better?"
COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST
CHRIS DAVIS DIDN'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT FINANCE and investment when he answered a help-wanted ad in the paper for a communications specialist at Merrill Lynch. But he had something the financial experts at the company needed--excellent writing skills. "It's easier to teach a writer about business than it is to teach a businessperson how to write," Davis explains.
Davis, whose official title is vice president of investment communications at Merrill Lynch Business Partners, writes a variety of articles and communications materials for his company's clients and the media. His work, which includes articles about common investment mistakes people make and commentaries on the stock market, is published widely. Communications specialists, also known as public relations specialists, usually work for businesses, nonprofit organizations, or governments. To be successful, they must not only communicate well but also have a strong understanding of their audience.
Like many jobs in the media, communications specialists work in a fast-paced environment, something Davis thrives on. "Every day I'm coming in and learning something new. … It's pretty rewarding," he says.
Davis, who has a bachelor's and a master's degree in English, started off teaching. When he realized that a teaching career wasn't a good fit for him, he made the switch to business. He is thankful his English background enabled him to seamlessly change careers.
"Being able to write well and communicate effectively has been my job ticket. And it's not just a matter of knowing words. … It's expressing ideas clearly and influencing people through the written language. It's an incredibly valuable skill to have," Davis says.
HOT LINK
Are you considering continuing your studies in English in college? Esther Lombardi, an English major herself, has written A Note to an English Major: Contemplating a Career just for you. Visit classiclit.about.com/od/allabouteducation/a/aa_englishmaj.htm.
Where Can YOU Go With English?
The path for English majors veers off in many directions. That's because it's one of the most flexible areas of study out there. The study of English sharpens your brain to be a skilled writer, speaker, researcher, creative thinker, and analyzer. Combine these skills with your other interests, and you can be sure your career story will have a happily-ever-after resolution.
Business
* Account supervisor
* Advertising copywriter
* Corporate communications specialist
* Financial researcher/writer
* Investment banker
* Marketing assistant/manager
* Market researcher
* Salesperson
Science
* Health educator
* Science writer/editor
* Technical writer/editor
The Arts
* Actor
* Filmmaker
* Graphic designer
* Museum curator
English: Direct Route
* Author
* Editor
* Film/television screenwriter
* Librarian
* Public relations specialist
* Teacher
* Web content provider
Social Studies
* Journalist: radio, television, print, Internet
* Lawyer
* Lobbyist
* Paralegal
* Policy analyst/researcher
* Public affairs coordinator
By: Reber, Deborah, Career World, 2006
Although those five people took very different career paths, each reaped the benefits of choosing a college major that let them explore their love of literature and writing while gaining the valuable communication and critical-thinking skills that employers in just about every field require. As you'll see in the following four job profiles, whether working at a Fortune 500 company or for a Hollywood studio, English majors can literally write their own ticket.
LITERARY AGENT
YOU MIGHT NOT SUSPECT THAT LITERARY AGENTS DEAL in numbers, but for Jennifer Repo, a literary agent with Joelle Delbourgo Associates, a few stick out in her mind:
50--the number of book ideas Repo receives each week from writers looking for an agent; 1--the number of clients :she'll take on out of that 50; 1 in 10---the chances she'll sell any given book idea to a publisher.
"It's typical to get a lot of rejections, and it's something that I had to learn to be OK with," Repo explains. "That's why I've [come] to really love working with authors and supporting them."
Repo spends much of her time poring over the submissions she receives, looking for something that catches her eye-Once she identifies projects she wants to represent, she works closely with the authors to fine-tune their ideas,
"I love the creative process of seeing something on paper and knowing that with a few changes it can actually be appealing to a large audience," says Repo, who does everything from tweaking a title to reworking the structure of an entire book. Her ultimate goal is to persuade a publisher to take a chance on her client and publish the book. "My background in English helps me identify good writing more easily. Plus a lot of people refer to the great writers of our time, so knowing their work is important," she says.
Understanding the ever-changing publishing market and knowing what editors are looking for are big parts of Repo's job as well. She has carved out her own niche for the types of projects she likes to represent--health, memoir, women's issues, and self-help. "I try to match my clients' projects with editors who have the same kind of taste, I wouldn't send an editor who loves crime fiction a novel about William Shakespeare," she explains.
Like Repo, most literary agents end up working in small agencies of about two to five people. The majority of these agencies are located in New York City. Some literary agents work solo. Others find jobs at larger agencies of 10 or more people in New York or Los Angeles.
TECHNICAL WRITER
IF YOU'VE EVER READ INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO DOWNLOAD music onto your iPod or send a text message from your cell phone, then you've come in contact with technical writing. And though their words may not end up on the bestseller list, technical writers are responsible for important documents, from instruction manuals for technology and training materials for scientific equipment to virtually all written, communication about computers and software.
"Even though I came to this career with an English degree, I also had a big interest in computers as a hobbyist, playing games or setting up stuff and coding," says Tim Elhajj, a technical writer for Microsoft, where he writes white papers, or documents that explain to customers how to use different software.
Because his writing is meant to instruct readers, Elhajj needs to know the software he's writing about inside and out and be able to explain it in understandable, straightforward terms. "Sometimes I do nothing but write, but a bigger part of my job is doing research," he explains.
The technology boom has created many more technical writing jobs, and there are no signs of a slowdown anytime soon. In fact, growth in technical writing is predicted to out-pace that of any other writing field.
Elhajj loves his job, except when he's stressed about deadlines during key crunch times. But that's just part of working in a fast-paced industry. "The technology changes so quickly, so you have to have a desire to keep learning things over again and seeing what new innovations are out there," he says.
SCREENWRITER
MEGHAN MCCARTHY HAS ALWAYS BEEN A MOVIE BUFF. So it seems only natural that she'd use her degree in English to write for the big screen. "I get a kick out of the fact that I make up stuff for a living, and none of it would exist if I didn't put it down on paper," she says.
As a screenwriter, McCarthy comes up with ideas for movies and television shows, developing characters and plots that she pitches, or presents, to studios or movie producers, hoping they'll bite. "Usually the first thing a studio will do is hire me to write a treatment, which is a 10-page prose version of the story, just to make sure everyone is on the same page," McCarthy explains. If they like what they read, she'll be hired to write the full-length screenplay, which takes her between six and eight weeks.
Often, however, studios will hire a screenwriter to work on a screenplay--and then never produce the film. For many screenwriters, this can be frustrating. Still, it can be a rewarding career for those who simply love to write.
McCarthy loves that screenwriting allows her to exercise both sides of her brain--the right for coming up with ideas and the left for getting them down on paper in the strict screenplay format. "There are a lot of structural rules in screenwriting, but there's still plenty of room for you to develop your own voice," she explains.
How does her English background relate to her job, McCarthy says, "It's helpful to have an understanding of the story structure and what the audience is expecting out of any given genre."
As is the case with many jobs in Hollywood, screenwriting is a tough business to enter. Without a strong passion to make it, many would-be screenwriters give up if they don't find success right away. "If you're wiling to stick to it and develop your craft, you'll find success," McCarthy says. She excelled at writing in high school and participated in an honors program that introduced her to playwriting and screenwriting.
McCarthy landed one of the few spots out of thousands of applicants for Disney's prestigious Writing Fellowship Program. In the two-year fellowship, McCarthy learned insider tips about the business of moviemaking.
Some screenwriters choose to work with a partner, while others, like McCarthy, go it alone. But either way, most screenwriters spend a lot of time by themselves, either researching their ideas or hunched over a computer, typing away. As a result, screenwriters have to be self-motivated. "No one is coming over to your house every day and saying, 'Shouldn't you be turning off the online game and get to writing?' So being able to manage your time is important," she explains jokingly.
But McCarthy wouldn't have it any other way--she loves the freedom her job gives her. "I'm working here at home; I can hang out with my dogs. … What could be better?"
COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST
CHRIS DAVIS DIDN'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT FINANCE and investment when he answered a help-wanted ad in the paper for a communications specialist at Merrill Lynch. But he had something the financial experts at the company needed--excellent writing skills. "It's easier to teach a writer about business than it is to teach a businessperson how to write," Davis explains.
Davis, whose official title is vice president of investment communications at Merrill Lynch Business Partners, writes a variety of articles and communications materials for his company's clients and the media. His work, which includes articles about common investment mistakes people make and commentaries on the stock market, is published widely. Communications specialists, also known as public relations specialists, usually work for businesses, nonprofit organizations, or governments. To be successful, they must not only communicate well but also have a strong understanding of their audience.
Like many jobs in the media, communications specialists work in a fast-paced environment, something Davis thrives on. "Every day I'm coming in and learning something new. … It's pretty rewarding," he says.
Davis, who has a bachelor's and a master's degree in English, started off teaching. When he realized that a teaching career wasn't a good fit for him, he made the switch to business. He is thankful his English background enabled him to seamlessly change careers.
"Being able to write well and communicate effectively has been my job ticket. And it's not just a matter of knowing words. … It's expressing ideas clearly and influencing people through the written language. It's an incredibly valuable skill to have," Davis says.
HOT LINK
Are you considering continuing your studies in English in college? Esther Lombardi, an English major herself, has written A Note to an English Major: Contemplating a Career just for you. Visit classiclit.about.com/od/allabouteducation/a/aa_englishmaj.htm.
Where Can YOU Go With English?
The path for English majors veers off in many directions. That's because it's one of the most flexible areas of study out there. The study of English sharpens your brain to be a skilled writer, speaker, researcher, creative thinker, and analyzer. Combine these skills with your other interests, and you can be sure your career story will have a happily-ever-after resolution.
Business
* Account supervisor
* Advertising copywriter
* Corporate communications specialist
* Financial researcher/writer
* Investment banker
* Marketing assistant/manager
* Market researcher
* Salesperson
Science
* Health educator
* Science writer/editor
* Technical writer/editor
The Arts
* Actor
* Filmmaker
* Graphic designer
* Museum curator
English: Direct Route
* Author
* Editor
* Film/television screenwriter
* Librarian
* Public relations specialist
* Teacher
* Web content provider
Social Studies
* Journalist: radio, television, print, Internet
* Lawyer
* Lobbyist
* Paralegal
* Policy analyst/researcher
* Public affairs coordinator
By: Reber, Deborah, Career World, 2006
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