What to do With an English Masters Degree

What jobs can a Masters degree get you?
How will a Masters degree benefit me?
Will a Masters help my career?

Although it has become rather commonplace to refer to an English Masters degree (or almost any Humanities-based Masters degree,) as worthless, there are actually a number of opportunities that open up for one who has devoted tow years to pursuing advanced English study. These stretch across numerous areas including education, public service, and many others, which reveals that those who have pursued that Masters degree may not have to work at McDonald’s after all.

Jobs in the Educational Field

Although a doctoral degree is typically required of full-time teaching positions at most leading state and private universities (with some exceptions,) most community colleges frequently offer job positions that only require a masters and some teaching experience (which is typically gained as part of a funding package.) Be aware, however, that some of these may only be for adjunct rather than full-time positions, so that may prove to be a problem.

However, there are also a number of educational opportunities available in the high school arena. Many high schools are chronically understaffed and are therefore always looking for qualified teachers. Furthermore, there are many opportunities available for those who might wish to pursue opportunities teaching English as a Second Language, either domestically or abroad. However, it is important to recognize that sometimes these high schools require some sort of state qualification or certification, so this may require some extra education.

Jobs in Writing

A masters degree in English is excellent preparation for a career in various writing fields. Newspapers, journals, and magazines frequently look for job candidates with strong writing skills, which can often be obtained by pursuit of the masters. Furthermore, individuals who have experience in writing may also find jobs as editors, either of magazines or within major publishing houses. Others may find careers as independent literary critics, writing for either online or print publications.

Pursuing a career in writing can be one of the more lucrative professions for someone who has attained a masters degree in English. Some sources, for example, note that the typical writer with a graduate degree in English may earn between $31,000 and $63,000, while editors (due to the larger amount of responsibilities) may earn, on average, around $43,000.

Careers in Law and Politics

Many students who attain a masters degree in English discover that they have an interest in law and politics. To that end, the masters degree can serve as excellent preparation for law school, as law schools typically require their students to have a thorough preparation in written and spoken communication, both crucial skills gained from a masters degree in English.

However, for those who don’t want to necessarily pursue a degree from law school, there are still opportunities to be had in the political sector. Those with a masters degree in English often find themselves employed as speech writers, campaign managers, and other positions that require sophisticated use of spoken and written language.

Thus, although degrees in English and literature studies have been defined as worthless by much mainstream discourse, there are in fact a number of lucrative career possibilities for those with such a degree. Indeed, one can often find quite lucrative and enjoyable employment, putting those years of hard graduate work to good use and ensuring that the time and effort was not wasted.