WESTFIELD – Westfield State University students and faculty are demonstrating that an English
degree can lead in numerous directions, highlighting how writing and communication skills open
doors to careers in teaching, law, publishing, marketing, and more.
“I used to think teaching was the only path, but now I see so many possibilities,” said a current
student, Courtney Berthiaume.
Courtney Berthiaume, a Westfield State senior, has also seen how her classes connect to the
professional world through internships. She’s written scripts for a cemetery tour and now works
as a publishing intern.
Harleigh Sirafos, a Westfield State alum, is now working at a personal injury law firm. She said
her English courses and internship experience gave her the skills she uses every day at her new
job.
“At first, I didn’t think I’d fit in at a law firm since I wasn’t a criminal justice major,” Sirafos
said. “But all those essays and writing assignments helped me build confidence in proofreading,
communication, and understanding complex ideas. You really can do anything with an English
degree if you apply yourself.”
“Career Prep for Writers was created to give students structure, support, and a plan for life after
graduation,” said Professor Leah Nielsen, an English Professor who teaches the course. “I want
students to explore their options with an open mind and learn how to apply what they’ve learned
in the classroom to real careers.”
“Career Prep really made me think about what I wanted to do,” Courtney Berthiaume said. “It
pushed me to look for internships and use my skills in creative and professional settings.”
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 63% of English degree holders work in jobs that
typically require a bachelor’s degree, with many pursuing careers in education and law. Only 2%
of English-degree holders work as writers or authors, which shows that even though writing is
the most visible career path, English majors actually end up in many other roles.
Most English graduates go into teaching, especially elementary and secondary education, which
shows how valuable strong communication and literacy skills are in the classroom. And with 5%
working in the legal field, it also proves that an English major can be a strong starting point for
students who want to go into law later on.
Professor Nielsen said, “Every experience teaches you something about who you are and what
you want next.” At Westfield State, an English degree can provide many opportunities for
students, Nielsen said.
The Career Center also plays a big role in helping English majors prepare for what’s next.
“English majors have amazing communication and critical thinking skills,” said Career Advisor
Giselle Frechette. “That’s what employers are looking for. We just help students see how to use
those strengths in the real world.”
The English Department offers three concentrations, Writing, Literature, and Secondary
Education, so students can really shape the major around what they’re most interested in. There
are also three minors to choose from: the Writing minor, the English minor, and the Film Studies
minor.
The English Department features a wide variety of internships, ranging from publishing and
media to law, education, and nonprofit work. Each internship gives students a completely
different kind of real-world experience, which really shows how many directions an English
major can take.
