Your Future With English

Have you ever wondered… What's the point of learning so much English and how are we going to put it to use for our future? Surprisingly, you can acquire a lot of new job opportunities and experiences if you do decide to pursue the English Language.

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The skills you will acquire and enrich in English are:

• Critical understanding of the structure, function, and use of language across a broad cross-section of media.

• Advanced research, writing, and rhetorical skills.

• Researching, collecting, synthesizing, and analyzing large amounts of text and data.

• Applying critical and theoretical methods to understand and communicate how print, visual, and digital forms of narrative mediate our perceptions of the world.

• Organizing content with careful consideration of audience, purpose, and form.

• Attention to detail in editing for content, style, and grammar.

• Persuasive public speaking and debating skills that demonstrate critical thinking and carefully reasoned arguments.

 

These skills will help you along the way of your career!

 

 

Speaking of careers... There’s a wide range of jobs waiting for you to discover! You can work in the fields of writing, publishing, communications, marketing, public relations, social media, government, tourism, education, etc. If you have made up your mind and would like to dive deeper into English, you are further engaging with literature and language to an advanced level that can benefit you by exposing you to cultures around the world with various genres and historical viewpoints. In addition, you are strengthening how this language and arts can reflect on people’s experiences.

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Jobs Include:

• Archivist

• Author

• Book publishing manager

• Campaign manager

• Career counsellor

• Communications manager

• Communications policy researcher

• Community centre coordinator

• Community organizer

• Copywriter

• Editor

• English as an Additional Language teacher

• Event planner

• Fiction or Non-fiction writer

• Film or TV editor

• Foreign service officer

• Fundraiser

• Government administrator

• Grant writer

• Human resources specialist

• Journalist

• Lawyer

 

 

Putting Jobs aside, you’re also exposed to opportunities outside of your workplace that can build strong bonds and new knowledge over the topic.

Opportunities include:

• Arts Co-op Program

Gain paid work experience in your area of study as part of your degree program.

• Create Your ePortfolio

From projects and papers to travels and volunteer work, Arts ePortfolios help you collect, curate, and share your learning.

• Departmental events

Network with English students and faculty members at a variety of events.

• Departmental research opportunities

Reach out directly to faculty members to ask about potential research positions.

• English co-op success stories

Learn about the experiences of past and present co-op students from your program and others.

• JET Programme

Get experience working abroad after graduation as a language teacher or international relations coordinator.

• PRISM International

Submit your contemporary writing or participate in a fiction, poetry, short form, or creative non-fiction contest.

• Resources for writers

Find local writing groups, contests, festivals and other resources for writers.

• The Garden Statuary

Showcase your essays, poetry, photographs and other work in UBC’s English Undergraduate Journal.

• The Ubyssey

You can volunteer to write articles for this weekly online student paper. No previous experience is required.

• UBC English Students’ Association

Meet other UBC students through events and programs.

• Vancouver Writers Fest

Check out the works of local and international writers or volunteer at a literary event.

• Writers’ Exchange

Volunteer to support literacy programs for kids in Vancouver.

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Small Tip: Employers often hire people they know, so help them get to know you. You can build your network through clubs, classes, informational interviews, and more! There are so many ways to make connections and find mentors.