English Alumni Stories
27 results found
Read widely. Explore the world. Be open to other people and experiences, and also hold your sacred experiences and people close.
"BYU's English department pushed me as a writer, which means it pushed me as a thinker, because those two go hand in hand."
"So many people I work with are very logical thinkers, but they struggle to communicate the nuances of writing, rewriting, and editing."
"I use data to tell stories. This often requires looking outside the box, thinking critically about the subject matter at hand, and exercising a lot of creativity to shape points of data into a compelling narrative."
"Strong writing is in serious demand in most companies. It goes far beyond writing-specific roles like those of copywriters or PR specialists."
"I never thought the way I was trained to write an essay would impact work. I can clearly articulate arguments and am open to different philosophies."
"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."
"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."
"Being able to read, think critically, write, and edit are the keystones to any successful position."
"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."
"My English degree taught me to read critically and write honestly—as a graduate student I feel that I’m still developing skills to apply in my career."
"Communication—specifically written communication—is super important, especially in reading and understanding law documents."
"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 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!"
"An English degree doesn’t make you a different person. However, the study of literature and rhetoric does create a space to practice empathy, critical thinking, and kindness."
"[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."
"Good writers and editors are needed in almost every industry, so find yours and make a place for yourself."
"I think my education prepared me most of all for navigating and appreciating so much about life. How to think critically, ask key questions, and write and read in a versatile way."
"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."
"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."
"More than anything, my critical thinking skills have set me apart from colleagues and made me successful. I feel like my English degree set me up well."
"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. "
"I can see multiple ways a piece of text could be read and cultivate it to be as clear as possible to the reader."
"As an English major, I learned how to analyze something and ask questions. This has proved to be key for my success in my career."
"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 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.