<p>OK, I'm not exactly looking for anymore places to apply too, but this is the "search + selection" board, so I can ask my question here. I want to major in English. I'm good in math and science, but it never was anywhere as interesting a writing is to me. Majoring in English is a pretty easy decision for me, especially something w/ writing (not big time into "critical reading" or grammar; journalism, creative writing, etc. are awesome!) </p>
<p>There's the background, here comes the question. The most important thing for finding the right career for me is to do something that I enjoy. Making heaps of money would be nice, but it's not why I chose to major in English. What are some careers that seem like a good idea for someone that loves to write (other than the obvious; ex. be a writer) and wants to make a good, honest living? Thanks for anything you have to offer.</p>
<p>I am like you and majored in English because I loved it. I was a professional writer (screenwriter) for a long time. Prior to that I worked in film & t.v. production, as the personal assistant to a film director, as a story editor & development exec.</p>
<p>After having kids, I found I lacked the ability to stay in a 24 hour dreamlike state... and I seemed to need that to get really good writing done. Rather than fight my new reality, I just stopped writing professionally. Someday I may go back.</p>
<p>Now I work in a field that has nothing to do with writing (Real Estate). I picked it because it suits a "fits & starts" work schedule more adaptable to kids. I do write editorials and articles from time to time and obviously the ability to express myself accurately and forcefully is a huge help in many areas. My H is a writer too and I get to edit his stuff.</p>
<p>I think some of my addiction for CC is based on the writing I get to do here!</p>
<p>PS: advertising, law, business, fundraising, and any other field where persuasive ability and expressive ability are valued can work well for a writer.</p>
<p>Thanks SBmom. Can you tell me how you went about becoming involved w/ the film/TV production and screenwriting business? Also, can you give some specifics as to what I'd do writing w/ law or business. Business interests me and I'm curious as to how I'd be involved/what I'd do as a writer. Thanks for anything you have to offer!</p>
<p>Well, my Dad was a successful Corporate Lawyer and litigator, and he is an excellent, elegant writer (though I think he majored in history). </p>
<p>In litigation, you are arguing the facts of the case and trying to persuade the judge and jury of the veracity of your views, much like you would persuasively argue your view of a novel's themes in an essay. </p>
<p>In business there are many applications for persuasion-- raising capital, for one. </p>
<p>Virtually all professions would have writing about those professions-- for example, for news papers and magazines or professional journals about science, sports, art, whatever. </p>
<p>I think facility with writing is one of the most valuable skills one can bring to any career. True excellence in writing is rare.</p>
<p>Thank you so much for your time. I've have already been looking at writing about/surrounding different professions. For example, l love baseball, football, pretty much all sports, and I love to write, enter sports writer possibility. </p>
<p>I have not thought too much about writing in the business field, but that sounds very appealing. I think I know the answer, but can you major in English, then go get a MBA? If so, would you recommend entering the business field w/ the MBA, or is it unnecessary? I know it wouldn't hurt, but how much would it help? Thanks for the advice.</p>
<p>I am the last person to ask about the usefulness of an MBA! ;) Certainly english majors can be accpeted into MBA programs; that I know. And I know that all my friends with MBAs are very successful in their business lives; I suspect for certain career paths it helps immensely.</p>
<p>batman, I majored in English. It has never failed to give me an edge wherever I am, whatever I do. I am able to express myself well, for one thing. Possibly more importantly, a really wonderful English dep't trains students in analytical skills. Analysis is the "stuff" of many careers. One needs to analyze business results, needs to analyze text for purposes of ANY communications-related career (journalism, public relations, politics, law). Secondarily, even though an English major is not a "speech" major, you will find a natural correlation between expressing yourself in writing & orally. I am routinely chosen for oral summaries, "spokesperson" roles, etc. Although I lacked a business degree at the time, I was chosen over Stanford MBA's to write business summaries (based on <em>quantitative</em> data) for the corporation which employed me in my 20's.</p>
<p>To put it another way, you can have a great legal mind, for example, but the edge will go to the lawyers & judges who can express themselves better than their competition. So, it's a wonderful undergrad degree as a foundation for business, for graduate academics, AND for professional degrees.</p>
<p>Just an addendum:
College graduates are often surprised to learn (later!) how much of one's adult career consists of writing reports. Thought you would be done with report-writing after high school & college? Surprise! You've just begun. Unless one is "strictly" in a performance, physical, or trade-related career (chef, carpenter, musician, etc.), a significant portion of most jobs consists in writing reports. This is true whether you end up in sales, finance, marketing, law enforcement/forensics, medical administration, broadcasting (unless strictly behind the microphone, as an "entertainer"), urban planning, etc. Even many of the "laboratory" scientific paths are highly report-driven; collecting data usually demands a subsequent report.</p>
<p>I have always dreamed of becoming an English proffesor. What type of schooling is necessary for this? Would I need to major in English and education? How many years of college?</p>
<p>Well, I haven't been "dreaming" of becoming a university English professor like blythe89, but it does interest me. I plan on attending a school in the UC system and would love to remain part of the school as a professor! How would you go about becoming a professor? How tough is it to get a job at a university? Anyone have and words of wisdom for blythe89 and me? Thanks!</p>
<p>Becoming a tenured English professor is hard--first goal should be to get into a well-respected English grad program and think carefully and strategically about what you choose as a dissertation topic--also looking out for publication opportunities while still in grad school-perhaps through collaboration with your prof. Name and reputation of the prof will also play a crucial role.</p>
<p>On the other hand, you can get a series of adjunct (temporary) gigs more easily --but this is usually economic exploitation --more work, less pay, few or no benefits--greatest demand here is in teaching Freshman Composition courses--good to have qualifications in the techniques of teaching writing. You have to really love what you're doing to spend your working life hopping from adjunct post to adjunct post. Also, for academic jobs, you have to be geographically flexible and go wherever the job offer is.</p>
<p>I found this thread by chance, and I was wondering-- SBmom, how did you manage to get involved in screenwriting? (If you don't mind me asking, where did you go to college? Are there any colleges that are considered particularly good in this area, or is having an English degree from any good college enough?) I've always wanted to major in english and then become a lawyer or writer, and the prospect of screenwriting for tv sounds amazing! thanks for your time :)</p>
<p>I went to Brown. I had no idea I wanted to go into writing at the time, I was an English Literature major (because it seemed interesting and fun.)</p>
<p>I got into screenwriting because i worked for a producer; I did not love this job but while there I read a lot of scripts, and realized: Hey! I can do this. I wrote a spec script and sold it.</p>
<p>I would love to go into the film/tv business, does it really matter what your major is, communications, english, etc.? Or do you just need to have a degree? I also heard that a lot of that business is connections, is that true?</p>