English Careers
Goshen College Alumni
Here is a sampling of current positions held by alumni:
- Editor and Press Director
- Public Relations Manager
- Librarian
- Grant Writer
- Academic Advisor
- Account Executive
- Senior Copywriter
- Attorney
- Director of Communications
- CEO
- Data Scientist
- Software Engineer
- Public Health Researcher
- Intensive Case Manager
- Marriage & Family Therapist
- Columnist
- Professor
- Filmmaker
- Teacher
- Marketing and Event Production Entrepreneur
- Print & Multimedia Designer
Overview
At Goshen College, the English department is committed to examining human values and expression through the study of both the production of and response to texts in diverse cultural contexts. English majors combine studies in American and English literature with international literature, popular culture, and film. You will study the history and nature of the English language, and learn how to become a nimble thinker and communicator in a fast-changing job market.
About the Coursework
Literature courses feature national and global literary traditions, genre studies, popular and canonical trends, and textual analysis. Writing courses teach the expository, creative, and research strategies needed for students to express themselves professionally and personally. Language courses teach historical and sociological frameworks for language development, as well as a respect for the power of language as a social and artistic tool.
Co-curricular opportunities in publishing include writing, editing, and producing student work through Broadside, Pinchpenny Press, Red Cents, and the Horswell fellowship.
Students choosing the major in English may customize their degrees with a balance of literature, writing, and language courses. They will develop skills in multiple genres, with specific attention to the cultural and professional contexts in which their writing will appear. Literature and arts-related requirements allow students to explore creative expression in Visual Art, Music, and/or Theater.
Possible courses include:
- History of Literature in English, Parts I and II
- Writing Poetry
- English Grammar
- Intro to Linguistics
- Literature & Popular Culture
- Literature of Ethnicity, Gender, & Race
- Philosophy and Interpretation of Culture (Critical Theory)
- Writing Fiction
- Writing Memoir
- Shakespeare
For a full list of requirements and courses, please refer to the course catalog.
Teaching certification is available for grades 5-12 in English/Language Arts Education. See the education department’s webpage for more information.
Possible Career Paths
English is a versatile major that prepares students for a wide range of jobs after graduation. English graduates are employed around the world in occupations such as teaching, law, library science, publishing, public relations, journalism, and museum studies. Many graduates have pursued service with church agencies, the ministry, or nonprofit management. Their superior critical thinking skills have also led to successful careers in business, medicine, web development, and social services.
The list below provides several career options, but it is not exhaustive. Please note that some positions require additional education.
- Account Executive
- Advertising Copywriter
- Author
- Biographer
- Book Critic
- Circulation Manager
- City Manager
- College Professor
- Communications Manager
- Congressional Aide
- Copywriter
- Curator
- Editor
- Editorial Assistant
- English Teacher
- ESL Teacher/Coordinator
- Essayist
- Filmmaker
- Freelance Writer
- Foreign Correspondent
- Greeting Card Writer
- Human Resource Specialist
- Interpreter or Translator
- Journalist
- Lawyer
- Librarian
- Literary Critic
- Loan Officer
- Manager
- Marketing Specialist
- Media Relations Specialist
- Narrator
- News Bureau Director
- Paralegal
- Poet
- Politician
- Public Administrator
- Public Relations Specialist
- Publisher
- Radio-TV Newscaster
- Reporter
- School Administrator
- Social Worker
- Songwriter
- Speech Writer
- Teacher
- Technical Writer
- Writing Tutor
Additional Resources
- From the Occupational Outlook Handbook:
- Building a Career in Magazines from the Magazine Publishers of America
- About Publishing: Types of Publishing from the Association of American Publishers
- Teaching English Abroad from TransitionsAbroad.com
- Editorial and Writing Careers from Wetfeet.com