School

Where Can You Go with a Degree in English Literature? Anywhere!

"It is far more important that a student graduate from university having read Dante, or the great historians of yesterday and today, than understanding the practice of double-entry accounting."
~ Matthew Barrett, former CEO of the Bank of Montreal

Students are often concerned that a degree in the humanities will not lead them to success, but research shows that the opposite is true. A review sponsored by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada noted that "unemployment, occupation, and income data shows that university graduates in education, the humanities, and the social sciences are highly employable."

How so?

Writers look at the world with unique perspectives. Through their eyes, we learn the lessons of history, understand other cultures and absorb new ideas. Moreover, the study of literature – regardless of genre and whether contemporary or historical – nurtures mental agility and creativity, plus communication and problem-solving skills that employers across many fields recognize as invaluable.

A student who begins with a Bachelor’s Degree in English literature might end up in:

- Law, where skilled analysis, interpretation and communication are of paramount importance

- Communications and media, which help us sort and understand today’s information explosion

- Publishing, whether print or online, across every discipline, which also helps us manage information

- Business management, where understanding and communicating can determine success or failure

- Teaching, which is more and more important as the world becomes increasingly urbanized and educated

Many students combine a major in English with other studies: English and science studies can produce graduates with skills in interpreting complex concepts for lay audiences, while a student of English and business studies might fit well in a company looking for the perfect niche for a unique product.

Last but not least, English graduates can join artistic communities that contribute to the ever-growing library of life. Every year, new students become novelists, poets, playwrights, screenwriters and non-fiction authors whose analysis and interpretation of the world and events around them inspire and entertain millions of people daily.

In short, a degree in English literature can be a ticket to almost anywhere.