Of all the skills needed to succeed in the world beyond college, those most in demand are
the ability to write clearly and effectively and to think critically -- to analyze and interpret all manner of written materials, both fiction and non-fiction, from reports and memos to lab results and stock portfolios.  In addition, it is valuable to be able to examine people's motives and understand why they act as they do.  These are the skills offered to the English major through the process of reading, analyzing, and writing about literary texts.

English majors traditionally have been successful in graduate schools of law, business, medicine, theology, psychology, and art, as well as English.  English majors frequently pursue, upon graduation, work in the fields of medicine, banking, management, journalism, advertising, fundraising, editing, and teaching.