English
English majors explore the written word through literary study, writing, critical and creative writing, and research. English majors at Duquesne develop a personalized course of study while concentrating in Literary Studies, Writing, or Film Studies. Skills developed represent the bedrock of academic and professional excellence.
Career Fields
Media and Publishing
- Book and magazine editing
- Trade, technical and professional journals and newsletters
- Newspaper, TV and radio reporting and commentary
- Writing for web outlets
- Film industry
Strategies: write for the Duquesne Duke; write everything you can; intern with local newspapers and magazines; work with Pittsburgh Filmmakers; study a foreign language for international careers.
Writing and Technical Writing
- Creative writing (novelist, poet, memoir)
- Technical manuals and computer applications
- Medical writing
- Telecommunications
- Research and writing for government publications (Federal and state agencies)
Strategies: write for and become involved with Lexicon, the Duquesne Literary Magazine; build technical knowledge in at least one field, such as medical or web; minor in computer science; intern in a technical writing capacity; explore industries such as telecommunications; intern with the federal government.
Business and Government
- Corporate Communications
- Political speech writing
- Writing-related government agencies (Labor, National Archives, FTC, Printing Office)
- Government affairs specialists for corporations
- Public and consumer affairs
Strategies: Consider obtaining a certificate in Business while at Duquesne; complete internships in the private sector; write for local government departments and agencies; volunteer in political campaigns in publicity area.
Advertising and Public Relations
- Advertising agencies
- Public relations firms
- Advertising departments of newspapers and magazines
- Web site advertising
Strategies: intern in several ad and pr agencies; work in ad department of newspaper part time; consider media specialty studies for web; join and take leadership in student professional organizations such as Advertising Club and PRSSA.
Education
- English teacher in middle or high school
- Post-secondary teaching in a college, university or community college
- English as second language (ESL)
- Information/Library Science
- Tutoring
Strategies: Gain state of Pennsylvania certification to teach in public schools either concurrently with bachelor’s degree in Education or through post-graduate programs; be prepared to relocate to states where demographics increase the demand for teachers; plan to earn advanced degree (PhD) for college teaching; tutor high school students in writing; work or volunteer in literacy programs or in the Writing Center at Duquesne; search Going Global database in DuqConnection for overseas English teaching jobs.