Careers & Alumni in English
Learn how a degree from the Department of English can jumpstart your career and hear success stories from our students.
“University of Mississippi English Alumni at Work: A Panel Discussion” was part of Next Chapters: Career Networking with English Alumni, a career advising and networking program designed specifically for our English majors and minors.
What You Can Do with a Degree in English
Graduates from our English programs go on to succeed in a wide range of careers. Whether they're shaping classroom experiences, crafting narratives, or translating complex ideas into accessible language, their education gives them a flexible, human-centered skill set. Some of the core skills developed through a degree in English include:
- Teaching, curriculum design, and literacy program development
- Research, persuasive writing, and strategic communication
- Textual analysis, argument construction, and critical synthesis
- Narrative development and editing for publishing, journalism, and media
- Interpreting and communicating technical or scientific information
- Writing clear documentation and contributing to ethical discussions in science and medicine
- Grant writing, outreach strategy development, and social advocacy
- Bridging the gap between technical knowledge and human experience in fields like medical writing and health communication
English Graduates: A Breakdown of Alumni Career Paths
Literature graduates teach, develop curricula, and design literacy programs, helping students engage with texts and critical thinking.
Here are a few notable jobs of our recent graduates:
- Hundreds of teachers and administrators in K-12 schools such as Jackson Prep, Ocean
- Springs HS, Hernando HS, Cherokee HS
- Librarian, St. Andrew’s Episcopal Sch.
- Community Relations, Jackson Public Schools
- Speech Language Pathologist, DeSoto County Schools
- School Counselor, North Forrest High School
- News/Media Analyst, Shelby County Schools
- Faculty, Hinds CC, Northwest MS CC, Portland CC, Coahoma CC
- Faculty, Colorado State, Penn State, Tulane, Duke, Carnegie Mellon
- Lawyer, University of Michigan
- Digital Media Specialist, UT Athletics
- Sr Dir. of Dev, Christian Brothers
- Dir of Student Services, Penn State School of Law
- Physician/Attorney, Yale Child Studies Center
- Dir Comm and Marketing, Tulane
- CEO, Barksdale Reading Institute
- Law Faculty, Wake Forest
- Manager, Greenville Library System
Strong research, persuasive writing, and strategic communication skills enable graduates to analyze market trends, craft reports, and develop clear messaging.
Here are a few notable jobs of our recent graduates:
- Senior Accountant, Ernst & Young
- President/CEO, Financial Federal Bank
- Financial Advisor, Raymond James
- Owner, Sledge & Company
- President, Mississippi Title Group
- Strategic Planning Specialist, Nasdaq
- Pres., Peachtree Investment Solutions
- Technical Writer, FedEx
- Worldwide Account Manager, FedEx
- Sr Leader Product Mgmt, CoreLogic
- Co-Owner, Square Books
- Business Manager, Dillard’s
- Sr Operations Specialist, Amazon
- District Manager, Old Navy
The ability to analyze complex texts, construct arguments, and synthesize information prepares graduates for careers in legal research, policy analysis, and advocacy.
Here are a few notable jobs of our recent graduates:
- Attorneys at top MS firms
- Federal Appellate Judge
- District Attorney
- Assistant Public Defender
- Circuit Court Judge
- Legal Fellow, National Sea Grant Law Center
- Attorney, King & Spalding
Our graduates craft compelling narratives, edit content, and contribute to publishing, journalism, film, and digital media.
Here are a few notable jobs of our recent graduates:
- Global Comm Coord, Vera Wang
- Account Exec, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
- Producer/Director, Passage Film
- Museum Registrar, Buffalo Bill’s Historical Ctr.
- Musician, Widespread Panic
- Writer/Editor/Artist, Portico Magazine
- Acting Exec Dir/COO, MS Public Broadcasting
- Exec VP Corporate Comm, Viacom/Nickelodeon
- Prod. Coord/Asst Editor, National Geographic
- Founder, Side Hustle
- Sr Trade Rep, W. W. Norton
- Self-employed Screenwriter
- Author Greg Iles
- Assoc. Editor, Nautilus Publishing Co
- Editorial Asst-TODAY.com, NBC
- National Reporter, NBC News
- Coord. Operations, Worldwide Post Prod., Netflix
- Technical Director, Fox 10 News
- Page Designer/Columnist, Gannett
- Editorial Assistant, Simon and Schuster
- Food Writer, The Indianapolis Star
- Copy Chief, Southern Living Magazine
- Marketing Strategist, Tupelo Convention/Visitors Bur.
- Pres/Gen Manager, WAPT-TV
- Sr Vice President, Burson Campaigns
- Author Susan Vaught
- Editor of The Globe & American in London
- Co-Publisher/Editor, San Francisco Bay Times
- Publisher, The Clarion-Ledger
- Associate Editor, Travel Weekly
- Vice Chairman, W.W. Norton & Co.
- Associate Publicist, HarperCollins Publishers
- Sr Development Editor, Macmillan Learning
Literature graduates interpret technical information, write clear documentation, and contribute to ethical discussions in science, technology, and medicine.
Here are a few notable jobs of our recent graduates:
- Engineering Recruiter, Aerotek
- Dir, Industrias W de Mexico S.A. de C.V.
- Senior Comm Specialist, Entergy Services
- Quality Eng. Manager, Eaton Aerospace
- VP & Gen. Counsel-Contracts, Raytheon
- Sr Sales Exec, Netscore Technologies
- Sr Specialist-Quality Assurance, C-Spire
- Manager of IT Tech Support, CoreLogic
- Sr. Dir of Content Dev, LexisNexis
- Product Manager, Sprint
- VP Govt Relations, SAP
- Sr Publications Specialist, Oak Ridge Natl Lab
- Dir. Financial Planning, Atara Biotherapeutics
Strong communication and advocacy skills help graduates write grants, develop outreach strategies, and promote social causes.
Here are a few notable jobs of our recent graduates:
- Owner, Welsh Psychological Services
- Director of Comm, United Way of NE MS
- Pastor, United Methodist Church
- Drug/Alcohol Counselor, LIFECORE Health Group
- Social Worker, MS Dept Child Protection Services
- President, Intermark Language Services
- Project Officer, MS State Veterans Affair Board
- Primary Literacy Promoter, Peace Corps
- Chief of Museums, Galveston Historical Found.
- Dir of Dev, Jackson Symphony Orchestra
- Script Consultant, Manhattan Theater Club
- Programming Coord, Austin Music Network
- Digital Marketing Coord, Nashville Sports Council
- Field Interviewer, Natl. Labor Relations Bd.
- Deputy Dir Govt Affairs, MS Manufacturers Assoc
- Deputy Exec Dir, MS Republican Party
- Sr National Consultant, American Heart Assoc
- Exec Dir Foundation Services, UM Foundation
- Senior VP, National Cable TV Assoc
The ability to bridge technical information and human experience supports careers in medical writing, patient advocacy, and health communications.
Here are a few notable jobs of our recent graduates:
- Physician, SE Louisiana Veterans Healthcare
- Surgeon, Beaumont Bone and Joint Institute
- Researcher, St. Jude’s Hospital
- Physician, Oregon Science & Health
- Research Interviewer, MD Anderson Cancer Center
- Comm Specialist, Methodist Le Bonheur
- Nurse, Greenwood Leflore Hospital
- Attorney, LifePoint Health
- Manager of Res Services, Baddour Center
- Dir of Gift Planning & Dev, UT Health-San Antonio
- OB-GYN, Jackson Healthcare for Women
- Government/Military
- Sr Satellite Network Manager, US Army
English Alums
An English degree can take you anywhere! Meet some of our alumni and see where they are working.
Bradford Cobb
Why did you choose to major in English?
See Bradford ’s Answer
Nicole Tisdale
Tell us about your career in government.
See Nicole ’s Answer
Ralph Eubanks
Tell us about your latest book.
See Ralph’s Answer
C. Damon Moore
Tell us about your career as a pediatrician.
See C. Damon’s Answer
E.M. Tran
What’s something that no one told you that happens after getting your debut book picked up?
See E.M. ’s Answer
Taylor Sledge
How did Ole Miss impact you?
See Taylor’s Answer
Winston Collier
How has your career been since graduating?
See Winston’s Answer
Virginia Kinnier
Tell us about your website.
See Virginia’s Answer
David W. Case
Where has your career taken you since graduation?
See David W.’s Answer
Invaluable Skills
“The study of English is multifaceted—you’re learning literature, language, culture, art, philosophy and you’re honing your skills in speaking and writing. The ability to communicate is so valuable in life, and what better place to learn than in Oxford? The English department is stellar, and something about this place inspires development and creativity.”
Julie Dhossche, M.D.
Assistant Professor of Dermatology, Oregon Health and Science University School of Medicine