English

English is not just about the rhetorical and creative aspects of literature. It’s about examining history, culture, psychology, sociology, philosophy, and the human condition to determine what a text means in the context of when and where it was written, and how it relates to us today.

Language is the primary means by which we communicate our values, our ideals and our vision. The study of English asks fundamental questions about literature and how we, as humans, express ourselves and interact with others. It is the science of communication and critical inquiry.

Learn how we use language in the world at large, and consider the functions, structures and significance of literature over time. Develop an excellent foundation for a career in virtually any professional capacity due to the cross-disciplinary nature of this program.

Students interested in English can complete:

Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Arts & Science
Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Education
Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Management

The combined degrees leverage synergies with other Bachelor programs and open up additional career opportunities.

Program Planning Guides

Skills

Analytical Reading
Communication
Creative Thinking
Critical Thinking
Editing
Excellent Grammar & Vocabulary

Information Management
Knowledge of Interrelatedness of Social, Organizational & Global Issues
Oral & Written Expression
Oral Presentation
Organization
Presenting Persuasive Arguments

Problem Solving
Research
Rhetoric
Textual Analysis & Interpretation
Work Independently

Work Environment

A major in English provides students with an excellent foundation for further academic pursuits in journalism, law, management or education. It also prepares students for a variety of career possibilities in a wide range of sectors and industries, such as advertising and marketing agencies, public relations firms, various media corporations, fundraising firms, academic and research institutions, governmental organizations, publishing companies, non-profit organizations, consulting firms, market research firms, communications firms, libraries, museums, financial institutions or theatre companies.

Key Areas of Specialization:

Rhetoric
Creative Writing
Language Study
Eighteenth-Century Literature
Romanticism
Commonwealth Literature
Postcolonial Literature
Medieval Literature
Renaissance Dramatic & Non-Dramatic Literature
Literary Theory
Psychoanalytic Criticism
Irish Literature & Drama
Canadian Literature
Children’s Literature
American Literature
Interdisciplinary Modernism
Victorian Literature
Jewish Literature & Folklore
Old English & Textual Criticism

Career Possibilities

Entry Level

These jobs are normally intended for new graduates and require 0 to 2 years of experience. It is important to note that many entry level positions require some related experience or demonstrated ability to perform job-related tasks. Even those positions that do not require experience will still prefer an experienced candidate, if one is available.

Related Job Titles

These jobs generally require extensive, relevant work experience and/or further education.

Thinking Outside the Box: Other Possible Job Titles

On average, people change their careers three to five times in their lifetime. So, no matter what major you choose, you may still be interested in opportunities totally unrelated to your program of study. We encourage you to be open to all possibilities! Your undergraduate degree can be a springboard for other educational pursuits, and your transferable skills and experience can prepare you to work in a multitude of settings.

Actor
Airline Customer Service Representative/Steward
Book Seller
Career Planning Advisor
Communications Manager
Correctional Officer
Crisis Manager
Customer Service Representative
Director/Casting Director
Entrepreneur
Event Coordinator/Planner
Film Consultant
Film Maker
Film Production Assistant
Foreign Service Worker
Graphic Arts Designer
Historical Researcher
Historical Society Administrative Assistant
Insurance Broker
Interpreter/Translator
Lawyer
Legislative Aide
Marketing Specialist
Marketing Executive
Marketing Researcher
Non-profit Administrator
Paralegal
Sales Representative
Sign Language Interpreter
Special Events Coordinator
Underwriter
Volunteer Coordinator
Web Site Designer

Useful Resources

Alberta English Language Arts Council http://elacata.ca
Alberta Teachers of English as a Second Language http://www.atesl.ca
Association of American Publishers http://www.publishers.org
Association of Canadian College & University Teachers of English http://accute.ca
Association of Canadian Publishers http://publishers.ca
Calgary Association of Freelance Editors http://calgaryeditors.com
Canadian Association of Professional Academic Librarians http://capalibrarians.org
Canadian Authors http://canadianauthors.org/national/
Canadian Public Relations Society http://www.cprs.ca
Editors’ Association of Canada http://www.editors.ca
Professional Writers Association of Canada https://canadianfreelanceguild.ca/en/
Society for Technical Communication http://www.stc.org
The Authors Guild http://www.authorsguild.org
The Canadian Association of Journalists http://www.caj.ca
The National Association of Independent Writers & Editors http://naiwe.com

Add Value to Your Degree

The more you do to differentiate yourself, the more likely you are to succeed in building a fulfilling career path for yourself. It takes more than just attending classes to stand out amongst other students and new graduates. Become an explorer! Try new things, challenge yourself, build unique skills, and connect with diverse people.

Use the ideas listed below to help you brainstorm experiences to add value to your degree. For more ideas on experiential opportunities at the University of Lethbridge, view the Student Experience Transcript.

Connect with Others

Making connections with others is one of the best ways to learn about the world of work and gain access to career-building opportunities. Making meaningful connections with people is often called building a network. Building these connections can give you access to jobs before they are posted, or to jobs that are not publicly posted. Employers like to hire people they have already built relationships with, and are more likely to hire people who have been recommended by trusted colleagues and friends.

Start building your network by attending Career Fairs and other on-campus recruitment events found on the Career Services Events page within the Career Bridge portal. Get introduced to career professionals in a welcoming and approachable way through uLethbridge Connect at Ten Thousand Coffees. Consider joining a professional association to help you find opportunities to meet experienced professionals in your field, find training opportunities, be paired with a mentor, or get involved in committees or other volunteer positions.

d professionals in your field, find training opportunities, be paired with a mentor, or get involved in committees or other volunteer positions.

Co-operative Education

Co-operative Education allows you to earn income through real-world work experience that is related to your academic studies. Completing a co-op work term provides you with an opportunity to build your skills in a practical work setting, network with employers, and increase your marketability after graduation.

Co-operative education is available to undergraduate and graduate-level students within a variety of programs in the Faculty of Arts & Science, Dhillon School of Business, Faculty of Fine Arts, and Faculty of Health Sciences. Learn more about eligibility requirements and how co-op works here.

Applied Studies

The Applied Studies program offers you the opportunity to earn academic credit for learning gained through employment or volunteer experiences. Placements provide skill development and experiential learning related to your studies by integrating principles learned in the classroom with practical situations encountered on the job.

Student Clubs and Leadership

Participating in clubs and running for student government are great ways to build employability skills, learn how to work with others, and demonstrate your leadership abilities.

The University of Lethbridge Students’ Union is committed to building a rewarding and enriching experience for undergraduate students. They have positions for Executive Council members and General Assembly members, as well as an extensive list of ratified clubs, offering opportunities to get involved in areas of interest and in leadership positions.

The Graduate Students’ Association’s mandate is to identify and advocate for graduate student needs. They have GSA Executive positions, GSA Council positions, and a mentorship program for incoming students.

Research Opportunities

The University of Lethbridge provides many different opportunities to gain research experience in addition to the required courses in your degree program.

An independent study is a chance for you to design your own research project for course credit under the supervision of a professor of your choice. Course work usually requires independent library research and/or field work and/or a major term paper. For more information, meet with an Academic Advisor and the Department or Faculty member under whom you wish to pursue an Independent Study.

You can also opt to complete an Undergraduate Thesis Course. This will allow you to earn an “Honours Thesis” designation on your degree and is a great springboard into graduate studies and professional programs. Fourth-year standing and a cumulative GPA of 3.30 is required to complete an Honours Thesis; it is also helpful to have previous research experience like Independent Studies. For more information, contact the Department or Faculty member under whom you with to pursue your Honours Thesis.

The Office of Research and Innovation Services has a wealth of information on additional research opportunities for students, including Student Funding, Student Research Positions, AGILITY, and events. The School of Graduate Studies has information on Research Opportunities/Graduate Student Positions and GA/Co-op/Internship Opportunities. If you are interested in building your research portfolio, do not miss out on these opportunities!

International Experience

International experience builds valuable employability skills like adaptability, multi-cultural awareness, and the initiative to take on new challenges. Gain an international perspective by participating in Education Abroad opportunities like semester exchanges, study tours, field studies, work-study tours, internships, and more. Learn about international careers and resources through MyWorldAbroad (available within the Career Bridge portal).

Community Involvement

Volunteerism is an excellent way to demonstrate your current skills, build new skills, and grow your network. If you are not sure where to get started, connect with UVolunteer, the University of Lethbridge’s partnership with Volunteer Lethbridge. If you already volunteer, UVolunteer can provide you with a framework to organize and document your volunteer work. If you are not sure how or where to get involved, UVolunteer can help you find volunteer opportunities that meet your needs and the needs of your community. Also consider volunteering with a local Board, Commission, or Committee.

What can I do with a major in English