5 best careers for Literature Majors

The image of a perpetually unemployed, Shakespeare-spouting literature major who gets by on ghostwriting short stories for magazines is outdated at best. Nowadays, there are several lucrative options available for those who studied literature, particularly in industries where excellent written, spoken or research-based skills are required. Literature majors are versatile in the sense that their degree does not constrict them to any specific line of work-you could find an English major working in the PR department of a legal firm, or helming marketing communications for a major beauty brand. Read through this list to discover the various career paths available for lit majors seeking jobs:

1. Copy Editor

Copy editors are responsible for revising all written copy by checking for grammatical and spelling errors, ensuring consistent formatting and creating and enforcing superior editorial standards. Copy editors are required in any industry that produces written content such as blogs, white papers, opinion pieces and research reports for clients. Since literature graduates spend a considerable chunk of their time producing and analyzing reports, research studies and papers, the work of a copy editor would be second nature to them. Find Copy Editor jobs here.

2. Research Assistant

The typical job description of a research assistant may not sound very glamorous, but it does employ several skills possessed by a typical literature graduate – namely data collection, analysis, compilation and formatting of reports. Other duties involve summarizing the findings of the research project into a compact presentation to be delivered to senior executives, which can be easily handled by lit majors. The technical aspect of research-based jobs should not throw off aspiring candidates as it can be picked up on the go. Find Research Assistant jobs here.

3. Sales Manager

The word “sales manager” may bring to mind images of a sharply dressed executive delivering a number-heavy presentation to clients or making cold calls to potential partners. While this is not far from the truth, there is a surprising amount of content that comes with the territory of sales manager. Given that the role involves client-facing, it is imperative that the sales manager possesses superb communication skills and acute emotional intelligence. Find Sales Manager jobs here. 

4. Media Relations/Marketing Communications Officer

Literature degree holders are likely to gravitate towards these careers given their natural predisposition to be content-heavy. The media industry is diverse, and encompasses everything from television to internet blogs. A marketing communications officer will use a variety of media to disseminate information regarding company strategies and activities, organize media events, prepare evaluation reports and develop marketing strategies and campaigns. Both roles involve a good deal of liaising with the press and developing and maintaining media contacts. Find Marketing Officer jobs here. 

5. Technical Writer

Ever wondered who writes product literature and instruction manuals for electronic items? A technical writer’s job is to work with complex chunks of information and make them palatable for the average consumer. Researching, editing and producing a library of technical literature, writing operational scripts and analyzing complicated documents is another day at work for the technical writer. Find Technical Writer jobs here.