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Graduate Career Ready with English

Put your English degree to work pursuing a career that interests and challenges you. English majors acquire higher-level communication and digital technology skills to present their work in a concise and accessible manner. They understand how language works and how it works on us. English majors learn to research and contextualize information, producing sharp, insightful analyses and evidence-based conclusions. 

English majors show the kind of deep cultural understanding and sensitivity that is required for clear-sighted, problem-solving analyses of our past and present to create a better future. Perhaps most important of all, English majors are educated beyond a narrow curriculum geared towards a specific job; instead, they acquire the ability to remain intellectually flexible and know how to transfer a particular skills set from one specific context to another, making the necessary conceptual and practical adjustments in the process. 

Explore the ways to use your English education during a career conversation with the Center for Career Readiness.

English at Work

UNC English graduates pursue careers in companies and organizations around the country. Among our alumni, you will see many working in these industries:

  • K-12 Education
  • Higher Education
  • Government Administration
  • Journalism, Media and Publishing
  • Nonprofit Communications and Grant Writing
  • Social Media Content Development and Management
  • Hospital and Health Care
  • Legal

UNC Alumni Careers

Using their English degree, UNC alumni go on to successful careers in a variety of interesting and in-demand professions. Learn more about the popular professions these and other alumni are pursuing.

Media and Communications

Several UNC alumni pursue careers in media and communication related fields, finding success as writers, journalists, and public relations professionals.


 

Korey Neveau '14, SEO Strategist with Peaks Digital Marketing

Trevor Reid '16, Reporter with the Greeley Tribune

April Zesbaugh '92, Talk Show Radio Host on 850 KOA

Education

While many alumni working in education-related roles may be teachers, several others use their degree and training in an educational services roles like instructional design.


 

Lindsay Bohlinger '11, Gifted and Talented Specialist at Windsor Middle School

Elyce Cole '09, Instructional Designer with Robinhood

Julia Larsen '04, '09, Instructional Design Technology Specialist with the University of Nebraska Lincoln 

Management and Operations

UNC alumni are prepared to serve in leadership and operational management roles within non profit organizations, educational institutions and private and publicly held companies.


 

Wesley Boyd '04, Executive Director with Colorado Animal Rescue

Nicholas Martinez '10, Founder and President of Doorbell Coffee Company

Christina Ruffatti '06, Executive Director of GOAL at UNC

Explore Alumni Career Connections

On Demand Resources and Support

Access recorded alumni career panels and LinkedIn tutorials to strengthen your network and professional connections to the UNC Bear Network.

Watch More On Demand Videos

Alumni Spotlight

Shadae Mallory

What's Next: Shadae returned to Greeley and joined the staff of UNC in 2021. While at UNC, Shadae is cultivating additional interests as a student in UNC's Brewing Science certificate program. Connect with Shadae on LinkedIn

Shadae Mallory '17

There is no rule that a college education or career has to center on one interest. For UNC alum Shadae Mallory, exploring multiple interests led to an enriching UNC education and career. Shadae came to UNC from Las Vegas, NV and enrolled in English, alongside minors in Africana Studies and Theatre. Adding to a full class schedule, Shadae joined the Alpha Sigma Alpha sorority and held on-campus jobs in residence life and admissions. Following graduation, Shadae earned a Master of Arts from Bowling Green State University and began building dual careers as a writer and higher education administrator. Combining a love of writing, passion for education, and commitment to advancing social justice, Shadae recently published "The History of the Civil Rights Movement - A History Book for New Readers."

English Alumni: Update your career information through the alumni association.