Career Paths in English
What can you do with a degree in English?
English majors are competitive for careers that require creative and critical thinking,
information gathering and analysis, text and media analyses, excellent writing and
communication skills, cultural and digital literacies, and team-building and entrepreneurial
skills. OSU English graduates enjoy successful careers in a variety of fields:
Kaelyn Yumel Wietleman
Associate at Alston and Bird LLC, Washington D.C
"The rigorous courses offered through the English department prepared me in vast and
incalculable ways for law school. Not only did these courses develop my writing and
reading skills, but they also gave me insight on the issues I encountered in law school.
It was an incredible experience to have so many mentors who truly cared about my success
and growth as a scholar. A BA English degree gives you the opportunity to gain skills
in writing, reading, critical thinking, and analysis which are necessary skills in
any profession."
Evan Fitz
Colon and Rectal Surgeon at Surgical Associates, Inc. and Oklahoma Surgical Hospital
"I am currently a surgeon, and every day I utilize knowledge and skills I first developed
in the OSU English Department. From crafting persuasive arguments to advocate for
my patients when I was a surgical trainee to writing my patients letters that explain
their disease in an understandable way, I constantly rely on my background as an English
major to help deliver the best possible care. Furthermore, I never would have imagined
how much an English degree would stand out on a medical school application. The professors
in the OSU English Department taught me new ways to evaluate and interact with the
world, and I consider choosing an English degree one of the best decisions I have
ever made."
Will Joyce
Mayor of the City of Stillwater
From all 50 states and more than 100 countries around the world, our students make
the cowboy family a vibrant and inclusive culture. With a student-to-faculty ratio
of 20:1, we will help you prepare for the future by providing the academic support
you need.
Julie Nash
Vice Provost for Undergraduate Studies and Student Success at the University of Massachusetts,
Lowell
"I was a transfer student Sophomore year to OSU with absolutely no idea what I wanted
to do with my life. I took an Irish Literature class ... as an elective and there
was no turning back. I spent the next three years devouring literature and improving
my writing skills... I had been a mediocre, bored high school student who fell in
love with learning and ideas at OSU. I went on to get my MA and PhD at the University
of Connecticut. Now, as the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Studies and Student Success
at the University of Massachusetts Lowell, I often tell students and parents about
how a humanities degree in public higher education prepared me for a successful career."
