Why study English for your career?

Whether you’re studying at GCSE or University level, English is one of those subjects that employers like to see on a CV. The skills you learn from studying English are marketable in most careers and can be easily transferred from one role to another.

Having an English qualification provides you with a good foundation when it comes to applying for jobs. Students who have studied English typically end up working in all kinds of roles including teaching, communications, marketing and commercial writing, to name a few.

So, without further ado, here is our career advice for students studying English:

What Jobs Can I do with English?

So, you’ve almost completed your English course and now you’re wondering what jobs you can do with all those skills that you’ve learned. Well, you’re in luck. English is one of those subjects that lends itself to a variety of different careers.

Teaching

If you enjoy helping others and have a real passion for English, then a career in teaching could be for you. Studying English provides you with a good basis for working in primary or secondary schools. If you’re currently studying English at GCSE or A level, you might want to consider doing a teaching course at university, or, if you’re already an undergraduate, studying for a postgraduate teaching qualification would be a good career move.

Marketing Executive

If you like the idea of working in a varied job where no two days are the same, then a job in marketing could be ideal for you. Marketing executives develop campaigns to sell products or services. Several other jobs tie into this role, including advertising, public relations and event organisation. If you want to work in a fast-paced environment, then a marketing role will certainly provide you with enough buzz.

Journalist

When people think of journalism, they often picture reporters writing about events for newspapers. Although this is the traditional role of a journalist, in this digital age, journalism isn’t only limited to print publications.

All the major newspapers in the UK now publish stories online as well as in print, which has opened up the market to submissions from freelance writers. If you’re able to use facts and figures to form a story and you enjoy a challenge, then a career in journalism could be for you.

Where can I find Jobs that Require Good English Skills?

One of the first hurdles to overcome as an English student looking for work is knowing where to look. Many career advice websites like Success at School have student jobs boards that list relevant work experience placements, internships and entry-level job roles. Once you know what area you’d like to pursue a career in, why not take a look at the Career Zone area of our website under the ‘What’s Available’ tab for the latest opportunities?

You should also research some typical employers within your chosen career area and check their current vacancies. If you don’t see any roles that would suit your level of experience and ability, then it may be worth sending a speculative CV and cover letter to their HR departments in case a role comes up in the near future that you’d be perfect for.

What English Skills Should I Have on my CV?

When it comes to applying for jobs using a CV, tailoring your application is key. Make sure that you relate your skills to those highlighted on the job specification. Of course, every role is different, but some transferable English skills that you may want to consider including on your CV are:

Time management and organisation
The ability to critically analyse and draw conclusions from research and reports
Problem solving through creative thinking
The ability to see things from others’ perspectives
Administration, Typing and IT skills

If you’d like more careers advice about jobs that require English, then why not post your questions on our careers advice forum, where one of our team can provide you with more detailed answers.

We’d also suggest checking out this related post: Why Study English Language and Literature for more careers advice about jobs that require English qualifications.

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