Career Services for English Majors

1. Loren Collins, Career Counselor HSU Career Center Nelson Hall West, Room 130 707-826-3341 www.humboldt.edu/career Career Services for English Majors

2. General Outlook for Graduates Employers‘ hiring projections Job Outlook Source – National Association of Colleges and Employers Job Outlook 2011

3. General Ranking of Desired Qualifications • Communication Skills (Verbal) • Strong Work Ethic • Teamwork Skills • Analytic Skills • Initiative • Problem Solving Skills • Written Communication • Interpersonal Skills • Computer Skills • Ability to Adapt • Detail Oriented

4. General Options for English Grads • Types of Employers: • Federal • State Agencies • Private Sector • Non-Profits • Education • General types of Work: • Writing/Editing • Education • Publishing • Advertising • Public Relations • Business • Law

5. Federal Government Job Titles: • Editorial Assistants • Printing Specialists • Public Affairs Specialists • Technical Writers and Editors • Administrative and Program Specialists • Human Resource Specialist • Program Analysts • Management Analysts • Contract Specialist/Representative • Civil Rights Analysts • Foreign Service Officer • Policy Analysts

6. Federal Agencies • Department of Homeland Security • Department of Defense • Department of State • Department of Agriculture (USFS, NRCS • Veterans Affairs • National Archives and Records Administration • Department of Commerce • Library of Congress • NASA • National Bureau of Standards • Department of the Interior (NPS, BIA, BLM, FWL)

7. State Opportunities Job Titles: • Program Analyst • Personnel Analyst • Community Program Specialist • Editor of Publications • Education Programs Consultant • Employment Programs Manager • Disability Insurance Program Representative • Labor Relations Analyst • Legal Analyst • Licensing Registration Examiner • Staff Services Analyst

8. State Agencies • Department of Consumer Affairs • Department of Corrections • Department of Education • Department of Justice • Department of Motor Vehicles • Employment Development Department • Industrial Relations • Public Employee Retirement System • State Compensation Insurance Fund • Veterans Affairs

9. Private Sector Job Titles • Copy writer • Sales writer • Editor • Copy Editor • Columnist • Critic • Freelance Writer • Proofreader • Reporter • Screenplay writer • Science Writer • Public Relations Director • Communications Manager • Lawyer • Legal Aid • Promotions Manager • Production Assistant • Real Estate Broker

10. Private Sector • Advertising/Public Relations • Newspapers • Magazines • Broadcast/Media • Internet Sites • Alternative Media Publishers (e-books, audio books) • Corporations • Publishing • Banks • Real Estate • Law Firms • Insurance

11. Education Job Titles • Teacher K-12 • Professor • Administrator • Student Services Professional • Academic Advisor • Public Affairs Specialist • Sports Writer • Librarian • Testing Center Director • Tutorial Center Director

12. Education • Public schools • Private schools • Colleges and universities • Language institutes, local and abroad • Libraries • Private learning centers • Test preparation organizations

13. International • Peace Corps • United Nations • Jet Program • Foreign Service Non-Profit • Trade & Professional Associations • Museums • Literacy Organizations

14. Prepare for your Career Getting Experience is Essential! • Helps you see if you like the work. • Helps you choose or focus on a career path. • Helps you make contacts that could lead to your next experience. • Your previous experience will ultimately help you compete well for permanent jobs.

15. Academic Preparation • Take your classes seriously. • Consider minors, extra classes or certificate programs (grant writing, journalism, business, marketing, graphic design, communications, conflict resolution, etc.) • Obtain strong statistics background for market research positions • Develop a portfolio of your writing and ideas showing originality and imagination for creative positions • Work with faculty on projects. • Volunteer or assist or tutor students in a writing center • Clubs – get involved, take a leadership role. • Become familiar with proposal writing and submission process involved in freelance writing • Keep up on journals…what’s happening in your field. • Talk with people in your area of interest – conduct informational interviews. • Join a professional organization (Modern Language Association, National Council of Teachers of English, American Association of Advertising Agencies, Association for Women in Communications, etc.) • Obtain an internship or career related experience related to your career goals. • Maintain a high GPA and secure strong faculty recommendations for doctorate degree programs

16. How the Career Center Can Help You! • Career Counseling to help you discover what you can do related to your interests • Help with preparing resumes, cover letters, job search, practice interviews • Walk-in hours to review resumes and cover letters • Assistance on finding internships, summer jobs, career related experience and professional positions • IPA’s (Intern Peer Advisors) • Springboard our 24 hr. on-line job board • Career Expo • On-campus interviews with employers • Graduate school assistance

17. Monday – Friday 9 am – 4 pm Walk-in Resume Review Monday – Thursday 11 am – 1 pm Loren Collins, Career Counselor Loren.collins@humboldt.edu Career CenterNelson Hall West, Room 130707-826-3341