English careers
Studying English introduces you to the long traditions and varied practices of literary and cultural production. When you study the different ways that writers over the centuries have interpreted or sought to change the world around them, you're developing skills in the analysis of complex material. When you talk and write about literature, you're developing skills in oral and written communication, with a special focus on the use of language, narrative and representation in the organisation of ideas.
The analytical and communication skills developed in English are readily transferable into many situations and many professions.
A significant number of graduates choose to do research, and the School has a long tradition of attracting students, nationally and internationally, for the Masters and PhD programs. English graduates often develop complementary research interests in adjacent fields such as Cultural Studies, Creative Writing, History, etc. Equally, they often pursue postgraduate studies internationally, or enrol in a research program at Melbourne and spend part of their candidature at another university outside Australia.
Many more move directly into diverse and successful careers. Employers often recruit English graduates who have a broad and comprehensive education in order to train them for a specific role that builds on the qualities that they bring to an organisation. Some paths and professions that English graduates pursue are:
- editing and publishing
- journalism
- teaching
- librarianship
- writing
- public relations roles in business, government and community organisations
- research, consultative and speech-writing positions
- business and commerce
- information technology
- creative arts, multimedia
- acting
- the public service
- advertising agencies
- arts, cultural and educational policy
- museum administration