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English Alumni Stories

45 results found
BA English
Read widely. Explore the world. Be open to other people and experiences, and also hold your sacred experiences and people close.
I have gained many tools for communicating ideas clearly, which has helped me in teaching positions, writers' rooms, and as a wife and mom! Critical thinking and communication have been instrumental in every interpersonal relationship in my life.
Don't be afraid of jobs you're not totally qualified or comfortable with. I didn't know anything about digital marketing, but those skills I could learn. My soft skills of writing and storytelling are harder to pick up.
Going into a career that doesn't feel adjacent to my English major isn't a failure of the major— it is a major benefit.
"It still surprises me how much learning to interpret text helps me to analyze symptoms, and make diagnoses."
"I think I have an advantage as a writer and speaker in the legal context because of my bachelor's degree and professional background in literature and creative writing."
"In the children’s publishing industry, I’m the whole package—I can write and illustrate. I had an easier time getting an agent because I can do both."
"BYU's English department pushed me as a writer, which means it pushed me as a thinker, because those two go hand in hand."
"A big part of my job is taking someone else's vision and hammering it down into something that makes sense for the brand and team, and breaking it down into actionable steps. The process is messy and takes some organizational skills and finesse, but the English major absolutely prepped me for this kind of work."
"There's not just one path for English majors. It's not just teaching or bust. So many businesses need good writers, they need you."
"It's actually pretty surprising to me how many people hate writing. I love writing. And I think a talent in writing sets you apart in tech."
"Part of my job is research, which is just "systematic inquiry." [It] brings me face to face with people, where I have to be insatiably curious: constantly challenging my assumptions, sensing ambiguities, asking questions that are framed in JUST the right way. This systematic inquiry and curiosity is fostered by the kind of work we do in an English degree, both in and out of class. And I'm really grateful for it."
"I also think the empathy, thoughtfulness, and critical thinking that studying literature cultivates have helped me excel at designing user-centered content and navigating the corporate world."
"I’d wished I’d known that it is okay to want to be a writer. It is a valid career choice, and can be even more so when it is paired with other concrete skillsets that one can gain at BYU. "
"Being able to work cross-functionally to communicate ideas and value in clear, concise, and inspirational ways has propelled me further than I ever realized it could."
"I took for granted the ability to write coherently and in an organized way. It's not a skill that most people have, and I feel like I was really able to hone that skill in my English classes."
"[My English degree has] helped me a lot when it comes to my HR career; I can be very diplomatic due to a lot of the skills I learned as an English major."
"You will be surprised to discover how bad most people are at writing. It’s a skill you probably take for granted, but is actually very valuable and will be attractive to future employers."
"I think the strongest assets I cultivated as an English major were communication, critical thinking, and emotional intelligence."
"Throughout my studies in English, my professors continually prepared me for an unconventional career path, making it clear that the skills of analysis and communication that we were learning and practicing would come in handy, and they were right."
"Being able to communicate efficiently and clearly with people who are busy with their own tasks helps me a lot. Another huge part is being able to tell a story or at least recognize what is important in a story."
"Written and verbal communication are key skills to a successful career. Many people in the corporate world lack these two skills. Someone who can master these skills has a significant advantage over others."
"There is a need for qualified professionals who write well. You can find a company with benefits, opportunities for growth and management, interesting subject matter, and great colleagues."
"I have learned that writing is probably one of the most marketable skills there is. Businesses are always looking for good writers because, believe it or not, they are few and far between!"
"With an English degree, you really can do anything. Don’t apologize for having an English degree—play up the benefits!"
"I took for granted the ability to write coherently and in an organized way. It's not a skill that most people have, and I feel like I was really able to hone that skill in my English classes."
"I realized one of the things that drew me to an English degree is that I loved hearing people's stories, understanding diversity considerations in people's lives, and have face-to-face meaningful conversations with other people."
"Strong writing is in serious demand in most companies. It goes far beyond writing-specific roles like those of copywriters or PR specialists."
"Good writers and editors are needed in almost every industry, so find yours and make a place for yourself."
"Communication—specifically written communication—is super important, especially in reading and understanding law documents."