Careers

The skills learned in the English major equip students for marketing, management, and communications in both the for-profit and non-profit sectors. One graduate is the Vice President of Asset Management at a capital management firm in the Twin Cities. Another is a CEO of a firm that helps businesses and organizations retain workers and develop leadership within their workforce. One English graduate manages social media operations for the United Nations in New York City. English graduates often find work in communications fields, with several graduates working in marketing and media relations.

Graduates are employed as reporters for small town, midsize, and metropolitan newspapers, covering a range of issues including business and agriculture. Graduates find work in reporting for TV stations in substantial media markets. They are also employed as editors for a range of organizations, ranging from technical editors to executive editors for well-known online media organizations. Some graduates combine their writing and editing skills, such as one who writes and edits public relations publications for a liberal arts college.

Luther offers a secondary education certification to complement the English major, and our majors have been very successful in finding teaching positions. English graduates teach at all levels of the school system, from preschool to post-secondary. Graduates are employed as literacy tutors in preschool programs, English teachers in high schools, and professors at colleges and universities. Graduates have found teaching work abroad as well as in the United States in places such as the United Arab Emirates and China.

Why teach English?

• It’s a great job with a great mission: you serve the community by educating young people
• Teaching puts your college education and your special skills to work
• You’re involved with a field you love: literature, language, reading, writing, drama
• Schools are looking for capable teachers–salaries and benefits are competitive

What about jobs? Will there be teaching positions available?

• The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics says the employment outlook for teachers will continue to grow between 7 and 8% between 2020 and 2030
• Student enrollment in public and private schools will rise to 57.4 million students by 2028
• Education-related occupations are expected to grow by 10% between 2020 and 2030

How do I find out more about the Secondary Education minor and English/Language Arts endorsement?

• Visit the Education Department’s Current Student Information page for details on enrolling in the program
• See the Education Department’s Program Information page for details on the Secondary Education minor. Also on this page, the Education Department has published guidance on which courses to take as you fulfill your English major requirements.

How long does the program take?

Ideally, you would begin the English major and Secondary Education minor in your first year. However, if you decide to begin at the start of your second year, you can still complete the degree and teaching certification in a total of four years.

For further information contact English Department head Kate Narveson at narveska@luther.edu.

Alums serve a variety of institutions from public libraries to museums. One graduate is the librarian for a county public library in Minnesota. Others work in university libraries, including Southwest Minnesota State and the University of Minnesota Law Library.

One grad is creative director for a renowned performing arts venue in the Twin Cities. Another is employed as a graphic artist for one of the major publication companies in the United States. And yet another works and performs with a concert production company in New York City.

Professional or graduate schools: grads regularly do graduate study in law, medicine, urban studies, education, library science, international affairs, and the ministry.