If you're considering an English degree, you've probably wondered where it can lead. The answer might surprise you.

English majors build skills that are valuable in nearly every industry, from marketing and publishing to journalism, law, nonprofit organizations, and public service. Employers consistently look for strong writing, critical thinking, research and communication skills, no matter the job title.

For Magnolia Foster, an English and journalism double major at the University of Kansas, those skills are already translating into real-world experience through an internship with the University Press of Kansas.

Meet Magnolia Foster

Magnolia Foster, from Hutchinson, Kansas, plans to graduate in spring 2027 with degrees in English and journalism. She currently serves as an honors-appointed marketing intern with the University Press of Kansas.

Her internship looks a little different than people might expect. On any given day, she might write a press release, interview staff for a video, or help promote a new book.

"My boss told me she chose me because my resume had the most diversity,” Magnolia shared. “She said that the other candidates mostly had backgrounds in video, but I also had a background in writing and editing as well as digital marketing."

What can you do with an English degree?

One of the biggest misconceptions about an English degree is that it leads to only one career path. In reality, English majors pursue careers across a wide range of industries.

"An English degree is very versatile," Magnolia said. "It’s a good way to show future employers that you are literate and understand how to use rhetoric."

She sees that flexibility reflected in her classmates.

"I love how different everyone's paths are at KU,” she said. “An English degree is extremely versatile, and I’ve met people in my department that are considering paths in law, screenwriting, criminal justice, politics, and much more."

English majors commonly pursue careers in:

• Marketing and communications
• Publishing and editing
• Journalism and media
• Social media and content strategy
• Law and public policy
• Nonprofit organizations
• Government and public service

Magnolia's classmates are headed in all kinds of directions, and that's one of the strengths of an English degree. It doesn't point everyone toward the same career.

The skills employers want

English majors graduate with skills that transfer across industries, including:

• Writing and editing for different audiences
• Research and analysis
• Critical thinking and problem-solving
• Persuasive communication
• Storytelling and audience awareness

Magnolia has already seen those skills come to life through her internship.

"This internship perfectly intersected my two majors — English and Journalism,” Magnolia shared. “I have learned marketing techniques through my strategic communications classes, and I get to learn about the world and processes of publishing which is helpful to my English degree."

Her experience shows how classroom learning can translate directly into professional work.

Why internships matter for English majors

For many students, internships help answer an important question: What do I want to do with my English degree?

Magnolia found her internship through the KU Honors Program. What began as an honors-appointed internship for the spring semester has continued into a full-time summer internship and will continue through the rest of her time at KU.

A typical day might include reviewing a social media calendar, designing graphics in Canva, scheduling posts, or creating videos to promote new books and authors. Her work allows her to apply what she's learned in her classes while gaining hands-on experience in publishing.

"Internships are important because English can be a very broad degree," Magnolia said. "Narrowing down a pathway within the degree can make it easier for future jobs to identify how you are able to use what you've learned in your classes and turn it into a professional skillset."

Finding unexpected career opportunities

Before her internship, Magnolia hadn't considered marketing as a career.

"Now that I have experience in marketing, I would definitely consider a position in this field. Although I’m not pursuing a degree in marketing, I have learned that my journalism and English degrees are applicable to many of the skills needed for marketing."

Before this internship, Magnolia hadn't pictured herself working in marketing. Now it's one of the careers she's considering after graduation. 

That's a common experience for English majors — the degree gives you room to discover opportunities you may not have considered when you first arrived on campus.

Advice for future English majors

Magnolia encourages future students to explore everything the major has to offer.

"If you love reading, take advantage of all of the cool literature classes," she said. "Some of my favorites are The British Novel and American Protest Lit. An English major is an awesome way to learn about any of your interests through literature and KU has an array of very interesting literature classes."

Is an English degree worth it?

If you're asking what you can do with an English degree, the better question might be: What do you want to do?

An English degree can open doors to far more careers than many students realize. From publishing and journalism to marketing, law, nonprofit work, and public service, English majors develop skills that are valuable across industries.

Magnolia's experience is a perfect example. What started as an opportunity to combine her interests in English and journalism helped her discover a new interest in marketing and gain hands-on experience in publishing.

Whether you're interested in telling stories, analyzing ideas, creating content, or connecting with audiences, an English degree gives you the flexibility to explore your interests and build a career that's uniquely your own.