Thiel College - Academics




	Home Course Offerings Courses Scheduled in English Department English Club Faculty Forms Graduate School Information Program Requirements Secondary Education Advisement Sheet* Sigma Tau Delta The Phoenix		Academics > Majors and Areas of Study > English > Graduate School Information What Can I Do With A Major In English? This is a list of job titles and job descriptions of entry-level positions for which graduates with a B.A. in English might be hired. DIRECT CARRER OPTIONS The skills required for the jobs here are so similar to the skills in studying English that a degree in the field will usually serve for getting the job. Actuarial Studies Effective oral and written communication skills to assist clients, managers, and corporations in reporting and presenting information. Provides detailed analysis of and sees the broader perspective in interpreting data. Advertising Copywriter Writes advertising copy for display in all media: newspaper, magazine, billboard, packaging, television, radio. Business Effective oral and written communication skills to assist clients, managers, and corporations in reporting and presenting information. Provides detailed analysis of and sees the broader perspective in interpreting data. Computer Instructional Designer Writes instructional and tutorial manuals and course material for internal and customer training. Works for manufacturers of computer hardware and software. May require coursework or experience in teaching, as well as some technical background. Computer Marketing Communications Specialist Writes brochures, data sheets, and other marketing materials to promote a computer product. Works for manufacturers of computer hardware and software. Typically requires some technical knowledge. Continuity Writer Writes and edits scripts for broadcast announcers, noting the sequence and length of each segment and charting the inclusion of commercials. Works for radio and television producers. Copy Editor/Copy Reader Edits printed copy for grammatical and stylistic errors. Works in a variety of settings: book and magazine publishers, newspapers, advertising agencies, in-house publications of business and agency newsletters and releases. Corporate Communications Specialist Writes press releases, speeches, annual reports, and other material to promote a corporation and its image. Works for all corporations in all fields. Correspondent/Stringer Writes freelance reports for one or more publications. Usually has special knowledge of the subject or geographic area covered. Works as an independent contractor. Editorial Assistant Evaluates manuscripts; reviews and edits copy; coordinates photography, illustrations, and graphics; secures copyrights and permissions to quote copyrighted material. Works for book publishers. Employer Newsletter Editor Writes and edits an employee newsletter. Works for employers in all fields. Requires skill in graphic design and layout. Film Researcher/Copywriter Reviews scripts, checks for factual and technical accuracy, rewrites copy, assists in creating storyboard representations of scenes. Relevant coursework or prior experience preferred. Works for entertainment, documentary, educational, and industrial film producers. Freelance Writer Writes for publications on an assignment basis for a negotiated fee, usually after submittal of query letter proposing ideas for articles or stories. Typically works as an independent contractor. Policy and Procedure Analyst Writes manuals on internal operating procedures and policies. Works for employers in all fields. Publications Researcher Researches story and script ideas; maintains research files on topics and people, checks stories for accuracy. Works for newspaper, magazine, or book publishers. Radio/Television Copywriter Writes and rewrites scripts for broadcast media. Entry-level posts are available in news departments. Radio/Television Researcher Researches story and script ideas for broadcast media. Maintains research files on topics and people; checks stories for accuracy. Works for radio and television producers. Reporter/Staff Writer Works and writes for a publication on a regular basis. Usually works under pressure of deadlines on general assignments before specializing in a particular area. In addition to newspapers and magazines, employers include corporations and agencies with in-house newsletters. Secondary School Teacher Instructs high school and junior high school students in specialized subject areas. Most secondary teachers teach several courses in a single subject area. Public schools generally require certification; private schools typically do not. Special Program Teacher Instructs students enrolled in special education programs. Settings (e.g., churches, social service agencies) and topics (e.g., vocational training, preschool Head Start, drug-abuse prevention) vary widely. Technical Writer Researches, writes, and edits publications that communicate scientific technical information to readers with no technical background. Employers include corporations, professional associations, and government agencies. Technical Editorial Assistant Edits and proofreads material prepared by technical writers. Typically requires less expertise than a technical writer does. Primarily employed by high-tech companies. User Documentation Writer Writes instructional manuals for computer users. Works for manufacturers of computer hardware and software. May require limited technical background. LESS DIRECT CAREER OPTIONS The fit between the academic training in English and the job skills is still very close. However, knowledge of English may be less pertinent to these positions, and a degree in English itself may or may not serve as a credential for employment. Biomedical/Medical Research Analyst Follows detailed instructions and prescribed procedures to assist in laboratory research. Keeps records, writes reports, often conducts library research. Works in hospitals, clinics, colleges and universities, research institutes, and private industry. Consulting Operations Administrator Furnishes support services for consultants. Coordinates travel arrangements, proofreads and edits reports, develops charts and graphs to illustrate findings, maintains and operates audiovisual equipment for presentations, organizes resource libraries, etc. Works for consulting firms. Customer Service Representative Handles customer relations, usually through direct contact with customer or clients. Researches and responds to complaints and informational inquiries, seeking both to meet the customers’ needs and promote the image and reputation of the employer. Works for manufacturers, retailers, service industries, and social service organizations. Educational Researcher Creates new educational methods and materials; assesses the effectiveness of existing methods and materials. Employers include school districts, private schools, manufacturers of educational equipment, educational publishers, and national testing organizations. Energy Communications Specialist Handles community relations and functions as liaison regarding work with six major types of energy: oil and gas, coal, hydroelectric, nuclear, solar, and “alternatives” such as wind, tide, and geothermal. Works for producers, government agencies, consulting firms, and lobbying groups. Energy Researcher Researches a variety of issues involved in working with six major types of energy: oil and gas, coal, hydroelectric, nuclear, solar, and “alternatives” such as wind, tide, and geothermal. Works for producers, government agencies, consulting firms, and lobbying groups. Environmental Communications Specialist Conducts community relations and liaison work regarding environmental issues in fields such as: earth, marine; and atmospheric sciences; mining; forestry; public works; and parks, wildlife, and water management. Works for government agencies, consulting firms, citizens’ groups, research laboratories, scientific associations, and industries. Environmental Researcher Researched, develops, and presents information regarding environmental issues in fields such as: earth, marine; and atmospheric sciences; mining; forestry; public works; and parks, wildlife, and water management. Works for government agencies, consulting firms, citizens’ groups, research laboratories, scientific associations, and industries. Financial Researcher Compiles statistical reviews and forecasts. Maintains and reviews financial literature and records regarding departments, industries, and possible transactions. Works for corporations, financial institutions. Usually require relevant coursework. Historical Research Assistant Does historical analysis; studies policy issues; prepares analytical reports; coordinates interdisciplinary studies. Works for “think tanks,” universities, public research agencies. Institutional Researcher/Historian Writes institutional and policy histories; researches and reports on current issues, long-range trends; edits public records, manages archives. Works for executive, legislative, and judicial agencies, international institutions, military services, cultural agencies, planning agencies, public archives and libraries, private industries and operations. Labor Relations Researcher Assists labor relations specialists with detailed research required for contract negotiations. Prepares advisory reports on union-management agreements. Works for unions, unionized employers, and government arbitrators. Legislative Aide Performs research, writing, and liaison functions for a state or U.S. senator or congressional representative or for a municipal office holder. Positions typically secured through direct contact with office holder. Lobbying Researcher Identifies information that can be used to support the positions and the efforts of lobbyists. Involves library research, attendance at conferences and committee meetings, and writing of reports. Employers include a diversity of special and public interest groups as well as professional lobbyists. Market Research Assistant Undertakes the preliminary research for a market study, gathering data concerning competitors’ products, organizing existing sales records, etc. Also assists in writing final project reports. Works for market research firms, advertising agencies, manufacturers, and retailers. Public Relations/Public Information Specialist Assesses the public relations needs of an organization and plans and implements programs to meet them. Distinct from advertising. Makes public appearances, produces special events, and prepares press releases and packets to generate favorable free publicity. Works for professional agencies, for business of all kinds, and for non-profit and social service organizations. Publications Marketing Representative Conducts market research, advertises and sells books, and exposes authors to the public. Works for book publishers. Research Assistant Assists researchers in collecting and analyzing data, observing and interviewing people, surveying appropriate literature, and writing reports in order to advise or inform a client. Works for research and consulting firms. Survey Assistant Assists in the design of survey interviews and questionnaires, the interviewing of subjects, the management of interviewers, collection and analysis of data, and documentation and presentation of findings. Works for government agencies and private surveying and market research organizations. Urban Planning Research Assistant Under the supervision of a city or regional planner, conducts research into the economic, environmental, and social consequences of development in order to support strategies for appropriate growth and renovation or rural, suburban, or urban areas. Typically works for government agency. May work for a consulting or architectural firm. INDIRECT CAREER OPTIONS At first glance, the jobs listed may not appear to have much to do with the study of English. Yet there is a connection. The primary skills required in these jobs overlap substantially with some of the skills an English major normally acquires. For instance, a Public Affairs Coordinator will use communication skills to promote programs, and most advertising support functions require excellent writing. Academic Advisor/Advisor Counselor Advises students at all levels on selection of courses and majors. Sometimes involves career counseling. Sometimes requires certification. Actor Numerous alternatives to paid work on stage and film (which can be difficult to find): commercials, voice-overs, modeling, educational audio and video tapes, and television programming of all kinds, and performing arts administration. Advertising Account Assistant Assists Account Executive in liaison between and ad agency and its clients. Helps to coordinate and manage advertising campaigns based on client needs. Advertising Media Planner Determines the most cost-efficient means of reaching a target market via print and broadcast media. Researches demographics of different media outlets, and analyzes demographic and budgetary aspects of advertising proposals. Airline Customer Service Representative Executes reservations, ticketing, telephone and direct ticket sales, passenger ticketing and boarding. Also responds to complaints and requests information. Archivist/Historian Assesses and organizes records and documents; conducts historical research to verify authenticity and significance of historical material. Conducts tours, presents lectures on historical topics. Works for libraries, historical museums, historical sites. Alumni Affairs Coordinator Produces educational programs, social events, and special tours for alumni; writes alumni publications; coordinates fund raising and reunion activities. Works for college and university alumni affairs offices. Associate Contract Administrator Assists Contract Administrators in preparation of proposals and in negotiation and administration of contracts with government agencies. Works for companies selling products or services to the government. Career Planning and Placement Counselor Assists individuals in setting and implementing career and job-searching goals, teaches decision-making and job-search skills, networks among employers for interviewing opportunities and internships, develops related library resources. Employers include private firms and universities and colleges. Circulation Assistant Distributes publications through various means including subscriptions. Seeks to increase circulation through market studies, promotions, and ad campaigns. Works for newspapers and magazines. College Admissions Officer Recruits and selects prospective students, creates promotional materials, makes presentations on and off campus, sets admissions criteria, reviews applications, and communicates with applicants. College Development Specialist Creates and implements programs to raise funds for a college or university through corporate and alumni contributions. Coordinator of Volunteers Recruits, trains, assigns, and directs volunteers to provide services to an employer’s constituency or clientele. Acts as a liaison with professional staff to coordinate volunteer assignments, organizes program for training and recognition of volunteers, carries out related administrative duties. Works primarily for service organizations such as hospitals, social service agencies, and cultural institutions. Customer Training Specialist Teaches customers to use a product. Assists in development of course materials and coordinates the use of training facilities and equipment. Works primarily for high-tech manufacturers and retailers. Educational Sales Representative Sells books, audiovisual materials, special equipment, and computer hardware and software. May sell directly to teachers, administrators, and coaches or indirectly to purchasing offices or distributors. Works for schools and for manufacturers and distributors of educational materials. Film Production Assistant Under supervision of directors and producers, arranges and coordinates rehearsals and filming. Arranges for props and sets, books rehearsal space, schedules travel, edits and distributes scripts, etc. Relevant coursework or prior experience preferred. Works for entertainment, documentary, educational, and industrial film producers. Foreign Service Officer Works in foreign service posts to represent and administer United States embassies and various foreign service programs. Requires testing and security clearance. Genealogical Services Specialist Researches genealogies, family and community histories. Writes, edits, publishes. Markets genealogical services. Works for private genealogical services firms. Graphic Arts Designer Generates and supervises the execution of overall design idea or “look” of advertisements or other graphic arts projects. May not personally draw or paint. Works for ad agencies, retailers, book, magazine, and newspaper publishers. Historical Society Administrative Assistant Assists in management of historical resources and personnel, provides services and information to the public and to scholars; promotes interest in history; edits publications; provides a forum for historical meetings and activities. Works for private historical societies, professional associates, and government historical commissions. Hotel Hospitality Representative Solicits business and programs on behalf of a hotel or conference center, coordinates the catering and support services necessary to accommodate particular needs of a client or program. Housing and Student Life Coordinator Administers housing services and produces special programs to promote interaction on campus. Works for universities and colleges. Intelligence Officer Researches and analyzes a diversity of geopolitical issues in behalf of the government. Employed by intelligence services such as the F.B.I., the C.I.A., the National Security Agency, and military intelligence agencies. Work requires testing and security clearance. Investment Banking Analyst Trainee Completes basic research required for investment banking transactions between institutions with long-term capital needs and major investors. Researches both broad industries and the specific financial status of particular institutions, and prepares documents and reports for staff and clients. Judicial Clerk Performs clerical duties, schedules calendars, keeps records, and does research for federal, state, and local courts and judges. Library Aide Administers school, corporate, or public library facilities. Jobs in technical and user services. Technical services deal with acquiring and preparing materials. User services deal directly with people using library facilities. Lobbying Organizer Distributes materials and disseminates information about a particular issue or organizations, recruits volunteers, solicits funds, organizes such efforts as rallies, letter-writing campaigns, and voter registration drives. Employers include special and public interest groups as well as professional lobbyists. Manufacturer’s Contract Administrator Administers contracts with suppliers of raw materials and parts required to manufacture products. May be involved in writing agreements, as well as coordinating timely delivery of materials. Market Research Assistant Account Executive Assists Account Executive in liaison with clients and helps to coordinate studies. Studies include analysis of sales record, surveying attitudes and opinions, and test marketing. Positions exist in market research firms, advertising agencies, manufacturing, and retailing. Market Research Project Supervisor Under direction of an Account Executive, coordinates the efforts of interviewers, tabulators, and coders in conducting a market research study. Employers include market research firms, advertising agencies, manufacturing, and retailing. Paralegal Performs preparatory work required to research a case; develops documentation required to write a brief. May interview prospective witness. Works for law offices, law firms, prosecutors, and public defenders. Political Campaign Worker Assists in planning, fund-raising, writing issue statements, canvassing, and assessing voter attitudes. Works for candidates or interest groups during political election campaigns. Frequently leads to permanent positions with political organizations or office holders. Preschool and Elementary School Teacher Teaches basic academic and social skills to young children. Often teaches a variety of subjects to a single class or grade level. Public schools require certification; private schools typically do not. Publications Advertising Representative Develops rate structures and campaigns to solicit advertising for newspapers and magazines. Assists advertisers in creation and placement of ads. Press Operator Operates a printing press. Prints materials ranging from books to magazines to posters and brochures Requires on-the-job technical training. Works for printers. Public Affairs Coordinator Creates, implements, and coordinates a service to a community. May involve fundraising for a charity, overseeing a scholarship fund, operating service-oriented program or facility, etc. Employers include nonprofit organizations, social service agencies, and public affairs sections of commercial businesses. Publications Design and Layout Assistant Using graphic design and layout skills, produces visually appealing publications as economically as possible. Works for publishers of books, magazines, and newspapers. Radio/Television Program Assistant Works with directors and producers to arrange for props and sets, to distribute and edit scripts, to schedule and supervise rehearsals, and to carry out other support functions for broadcast producers. Works for radio and television producers. Student Activities Advisor Administers various activities for college students, usually extracurricular. Positions include fraternity/sorority advisor, disciplinary advisor, student publications advisor, and so forth. Student Union Coordinator Operates facilities and furnishes services for students through a college union or student center. Includes bookstore management, conference and special classes coordination, food services, and recreational service. Preparing for Graduate School Timeline Sophomore and Junior Years: Choosing the right courses Round out your program: fill gaps in your study of literature; take appropriate courses in history, religion, philosophy, psychology, and other fields that might relate to advanced study in literature and the graduate level. Consider taking a second foreign language: many grad schools require reading competency in two languages beyond English. If possible, take Literary Criticism first semester of Junior year; this will help immensely in taking the GREs and in writing your application essays. Summer Before Senior Year Research grad schools and grad programs in English. Check the rankings of graduate schools in English. Research various schools via the Internet. Write to several (5-10) grad schools for catalogs and applications. Choose 1-3 from each of the three tiers of graduate schools. Application forms for many schools are available on the Internet. Prepare for GREs Review Norton Anthologies of English and American Literature. Review Literary Criticism. Set up a calendar for a thorough and systematic review of major authors and periods. Study vocabulary lists (easiest way to improve GRE verbal score). Take sample GRE tests; review Preparing for the GRE books. Prepare your application essay: your statement of purpose/philosophy Statement of why you want to study English at the graduate level; Include area(s) of special interest, with clear statements of how and why these areas have become important to you; Show evidence of being abreast of the current issues in literary criticism; Consult the sheet “How to Put Together a Strong Graduate School Application.” Type a compelling, clearly developed, statement of 2 to 2 ½ pages. Revise to perfection your best academic paper to use as a writing sample (some schools require one); be sure it shows awareness of cotemporary schools of critical theory. Fall of Senior Year Register early in fall semester to take the GRE by November at the latest; you will need this amount of lead time to insure your scores are available for the typical January 15 deadline for applications (note: some may be earlier). Meet with faculty to review applications and letter writing sample. Submit applications to at least 4-5 different schools. Have realistic expectations (see list of top Ph.D. programs in English). You must have top grades and GRE scores and a striking application to get into a top Ph.D. program. But you can advance from a good Master’s program to an even better Ph.D. program. We advise you to apply for a Master’s program in English and then to move up to a more prestigious Ph.D. program. How to Choose a High-Quality Ph.D. Program Start this process as early as possible, because you have some research to do. Typical application deadline are early in the calendar year that you hope to begin graduate school (January or February of the year you intend to begin graduate school that fall). You should take the October GRE to have your test scores in time. Decide what field you want to pursue graduate work in. Then decide which questions in that field seem, to you, to be the most important and pressing. These are your research interests. Find out who are the four to eight best universities scholars working on those questions in that field. Ask every professor at your college who might know. Find out where these scholars teach – which departments in which universities. In most cases, each department decides which students to admit. Do not make the mistake of applying to the right university but the wrong department. Study the catalogs of those universities. Look for application requirements, procedures, deadlines, student support. Familiarize yourself with the important books and article written by scholars you want to work with. Interview the scholars you may want to work with – in person if possible, by telephone or email if not. Ask them what topics they are currently working on, what topics their current and recent students work on, where their students have been hired after graduation, how long it has taken their students to earn degrees. Ask them which courses they intend to teach in the next two years, and if they have any academic leaves scheduled in the near future. Be prepared to talk about what you intend to study, and which questions and scholars and books in the field interest you. Interview the directors of graduate studies in the departments you intend to apply to. Ask about program requirements – how much and what kind of coursework is required, what examinations degree candidates take, foreign language requirements and how students typically meet them, typical length of time most students take to earn their Ph.D.s, and the placement record for recent graduates. Find out if any of the professors you hope to work with are scheduled to be on leave in the next couple of years. Ask if course work can be taken with scholars outside the department. Also ask about opportunities for tuition scholarships, fellowships, and assistantships. How to Put Together a Strong Graduate School Application Make sure you really can put together a competitive application – good grades (especially in your intended discipline), good scores on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE), good letters of recommendation. Apply to at least four to six programs because it is impossible to say which ones will admit you. Do not be afraid to apply to the very best programs in the country, but it is also wise to apply to a couple of less competitive programs. GRE general test scores are almost always required. Some departments require GRE subject tests. If you do not so well on standardized exams, take a commercial GRE preparation course. They usually improve one’s scores. You will need to write a STATEMENT OF INTENT with each application. The primary purpose of the statement of intent is to explain what you intend to study at the graduate level. Here you should neither be too general nor too specific. Above all, your intended area of study should be consistent with the scholarship of the main scholar you hope to work with. Discuss how you have prepared to begin this work. The secondary purpose of the statement of intent is to explain why you want to pursue this field of study in this particular department at this particular university. You should mention at least two faculty members in the department who you think could help you most with your studies, beginning with the primary professor you hope to work with. Mention them in such a way that it shows you know their area of expertise. Also briefly mention any other attributes of this department or this university that will aid you in your work. The tertiary purpose of this statement is to explain your reasons for wanting to pursue this area of study. You should mention that you intend to earn a Ph.D. If you give any indication that you intend only to earn a master’s degree, it is unlikely you will receive any scholarships or assistance. Stress your vocational goal as a scholar, not merely as a college teacher. Despite the fact that a Ph.D. is sort of a union card for college teachers, Ph.D. programs are designed to train scholars who will spend a significant amount of time doing original research and writing for scholarly audiences. You may want to discuss why the questions you intend to take up seem important to you. You should write a slightly different statement for each university, aiming it at the particular faculty research strength of each department. Have the faculty member at your college who knows most about graduate schools (this may be a professor not in your field) read your letter and suggest revisions. Get the best possible letters of recommendations you can. Good letters come from scholars who might be known, at least by reputation, to scholars you hope to study with or the scholars on the admissions committee. A good letter will discuss why you are particularly well-suited to pursue the area of study you intend. If the professors in your department are not likely to be known in the university world, and if you should get a chance before you graduate to get to know any scholars who would be known (such as through a campus exchange program), jump at the opportunity. It is not necessary for all your letters to come from faculty at your college.