10 Career opportunities with a Degree in English – Salary & Scope

Written by Sakshi Phatak (PG Student, Savitribai Phule Pune University, phataksakshi101@gmail.com) edited by Dr Balaji Nilwikar 

Introduction

The English language, with its global reach and adaptability, opens doors to a vast array of careers, making it an indispensable tool in today’s interconnected world. Beyond its identity as a means of communication, English serves as a bridge between cultures, businesses, and academic disciplines. Whether you possess a passion for literature, an affinity for teaching, or an interest in navigating the corporate world, English can be your gateway to success.

Read More- Chomsky’s Linguistic Theory

Apart from a degree in English, various soft skills, hard skills, and job-specific expertise are required to secure a job in your chosen field. This article explores the various career paths tied to English, detailing the hard and soft skills required, relevant courses and degrees, notable institutions, scope in India and abroad, and the average salaries for each career path.

Career opportunities with a Degree in English

BA, MA, and B.Ed are courses offered by numerous government and private colleges, state universities, and institutions in India. Delhi University, Banaras Hindu University, Christ University, Jadavpur University, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Symbiosis International University, English and Foreign Languages University, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, and Regional Institutes of Education are among the most sought-after universities in India.

These institutions offer unique strengths in their curricula, faculty, and infrastructure, making them excellent choices for pursuing BA, MA, or B.Ed courses. In addition to these degrees, there are several specialized courses that aid in venturing into diverse professions related to English.

Career Opportunities with an English Degree

1) Teaching and Education

Careers in teaching and education provide fulfilling opportunities to share knowledge and inspire others. Expertise in grammar, language, literature, and pedagogy is essential for teaching English.

English teacher: An ideal background for instructing English at primary and secondary involves holding a Bachelor’s degree in English, possessing effective communication and teaching abilities, and showcasing empathy, and organizational and leadership aptitudes.

ESL Instructor: Teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) to non-native speakers who are learning English as a second language requires certifications like TEFL or TESOL.

College professor: Besides the specified requirements set by universities, such as holding a Master’s degree or Doctorate, this role demands a combination of research expertise, substantial professional experience, and advanced literary or linguistic studies.

In India, salaries of school teachers range from ₹20,000 to ₹40,000 per month and that of college professors range from  ₹30,000 to ₹1,00,000 per month while international ESL teachers can earn between $2,000 and $4,000 monthly.

UGC NET Teacher’s Pay (As Per No.1-712015-U.ll(1))

2) Writing and Editing 

In the digital age, content writing and copywriting have become lucrative career options, catering to businesses that need compelling online content.

Content writer: The core responsibilities of this role encompass generating written material for blogs, websites, and social media. Moreover, the role involves refining and reviewing content, and devising strategies for content development.

Copywriter: This role requires relevant knowledge of communication and marketing along with a degree in English, and experience to efficiently craft persuasive and engaging advertising or marketing copy.

Technical writer: Generating precise and succinct documentation for intricate technical topics, while collaborating with technology specialists, necessitates an individual to possess a strong grasp of technical terminology and fundamental technological understanding. This is crucial for ensuring clarity in conveying the intricacies of the technology and preventing any ambiguities.

Editor: Assessing and revising content for aspects such as grammar, style, length, voice, tone, and vocabulary constitutes a fundamental responsibility. In the capacity of a senior editor, one must also engage in activities like monitoring the performance of previously published materials, fact-checking, as well as overseeing layout and production editing.

Mastery of SEO techniques, storytelling, and persuasive writing forms the backbone of this profession, supported by soft skills like creativity, research proficiency, and audience understanding. A degree in Journalism, Mass Communication, or Creative Writing is a strong foundation for entering the field, while SEO and digital marketing certifications provide a competitive edge. Indian institutions such as the Indian Institute of Mass Communication and Symbiosis Institute, along with international universities like New York University and University of Melbourne, offer relevant programs. Entry-level professionals in India earn between ₹20,000 and ₹30,000 per month, while experienced writers can command salaries upwards of ₹50,000. Internationally, annual earnings range from $40,000 to $70,000.

3) Publishing

Publishing and editing careers are ideal for those with a meticulous eye for detail and a love for written content. Professionals in this field ensure the quality and success of books, articles, and other published materials. Hard skills like mastery of grammar, syntax, and editorial tools are essential, complemented by soft skills such as time management, collaboration, and decision-making.

Editorial Assistant: Contributing to the editorial process involves tasks such as evaluating manuscripts, conducting proofreading, coordinating efforts, fact-checking research, ensuring precision, and managing publication timelines.

Literary agent: Serving as intermediaries connecting authors and publishers, and representing authors to facilitate the acquisition of publishing contracts, involves tasks such as submitting works to publishing houses and providing comprehensive assistance to authors throughout the publishing process.

Degrees in English, Publishing, or Creative Writing provide a strong foundation, while short-term courses in editing or proofreading further hone specialized skills. The scope for editors and proofreaders is robust, with opportunities in Indian publishing houses and with international literary agencies and publishing giants. Salaries in India typically range from ₹30,000 to ₹75,000 monthly, while international editors can earn between $50,000 and $100,000 annually.

4) Journalism and Media

Journalism is a dynamic career for those with a passion for storytelling and an interest in current events. Roles in print, broadcast, and digital media require proficiency in investigative research, writing, editing, and interviewing. Soft skills like curiosity, resilience, and the ability to work under tight deadlines are equally critical. A degree in Journalism or Mass Communication is a prerequisite, with postgraduate diplomas or Master’s degrees offering enhanced opportunities.

Journalist: A robust grasp of the functioning of journalism and mass media is essential. This role also entails the responsibility of gathering news and crafting feature stories for newspapers, magazines, periodicals, or online publications.

Media Analyst: Evaluating historical and current media trends to pinpoint sought-after content.

Salaries for entry-level Indian journalists range from ₹25,000 to ₹50,000 monthly and the experienced journalists earn on average ₹12,00,000 annually , while their international counterparts earn between $35,000 and $80,000 annually.

5) Communication and Public relations

Public relations specialist: This role involves overseeing interactions between organizations and the public, necessitating adept communication and promotional skills. These abilities are crucial for handling client reputation, as well as shaping media and public perceptions.

Speechwriter: Possessing a degree in English, coupled with proficiencies in writing, editing, rhetoric, and debate techniques, proves valuable when crafting speeches for organizations or public figures.

On average the salary of Public relations specialists in India ranges from ₹25,000 to ₹40,000 per month and that of the speechwriter ranges from ₹30,000 to ₹ 40,000, one can earn substantially more depending on their experience and the organization they are working for.

6) Translation and Interpretation

Translator: Transforming written or spoken material from one language to another while preserving the initial meaning, tone, and context is the primary responsibility of a translator. In addition to an English degree, specialized qualifications or relevant courses in other languages are essential for pursuing this profession.

Interpreter: Delivering real-time language interpretations in diverse contexts, including conferences, medical consultations, diplomatic talks, or legal proceedings, to facilitate uninterrupted and seamless conversations despite language differences.

Translators and interpreters enjoy diverse opportunities in India and abroad, with salaries ranging from ₹30,000 to ₹80,000 monthly in India and hourly rates of $25 to $100 internationally.

7) Freelance and self-employed

Freelance writer: While specific qualifications are not mandatory for this position, having a degree enhances the appeal of the profile and increases the likelihood of securing projects. The role entails engaging in different writing assignments on a contract basis, offering the benefit of adaptable working hours and the freedom to select preferred topics to write about.

Blogger: The role entails consistently generating online content, primarily in the form of articles and posts, within a specific niche. This content is typically shared on a dedicated blogging website and revenue is generated through advertisements and sponsored content.

The salaries in these careers are highly varied and depend on your experience, quality of content, the organization or clients you are working for, and the sponsors for your content.

8) Language Technology and Analysis

Natural Language Processing (NLP) Engineer: This emerging career path is rapidly gaining popularity and centers around working on language-related technology projects, such as chatbots or machine translation. It involves addressing speech patterns, AI speech recognition, and programming technology to effectively process and analyze natural language data.

Language Analyst: Analysing language patterns and providing support across different domains, such as market research and forensics, is integral to this role. In addition to an English degree, advanced coursework or a degree in Linguistics is essential.

The salary of NLP Engineer in India ranges from ₹5,00,000 to 11,10,000 annually while that of the Language analyst ranges from ₹4,00,000 to 6,00,000 annually, whereas its international counterparts earn $80,000 to $120,000 annually.

9) Public Service

In India, individuals can enter Public Services after completing a bachelor’s degree by successfully passing State or Union Public Service Commission exams. Opting for a career in Public Services following a degree in English can also be a promising choice.

10) Playwright/ Screenwriter

Excellent writing skills are a fundamental requirement for writing innovative scripts for theatre, movies, and television, and many employers give preference to candidates with degrees in English and Communications. Playwrights must try to acquire their creativity and gain practical writing experience through on-the-job training.

In India, entry-level salaries range from ₹2,50,000 to 4,00,000 annually while that of senior-level positions range from ₹8,00,000 to ₹10,00,000 annually.

Conclusion

Remember that the exact necessary conditions and prospects for these professions can differ significantly based on your location, your educational background, and your work experience. When deciding on a career direction in the field of the English language, it’s crucial to take your passions and abilities into consideration.

Furthermore, continuous professional growth and building a professional network can be commanding for progressing in this field. The adeptness acquired during an English language degree, such as critical thinking, research, communication, and writing, possess substantial versatility and can be a merit in various fields. Exploring your interests and strengths is vital to discovering the career path that aligns most closely with your passion.

References

Coursera. (2024, October 16). 10 High-Paying Jobs for English Majors. Coursera Career Guide. https://www.coursera.org/articles/jobs-for-english-majors

Glassdoor. Average salaries for English-related careers. Glassdoor. https://www.glassdoor.com

Indeed Editorial Team. (2024, May 15). 21 Great Jobs for English Majors. Indeed Career Guide. https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/jobs-for-english-majors

The Times of India. (2023, October 15). Top 5 Career Options after English Honours. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/education/careers/top-5-career-options-after-english-honours/articleshow/104560202.cms