What are you going to do after graduation? Perhaps now it’s time to reflect on how your Career Readiness Competencies as an English major prepare you for the workforce.
I earned a bachelor’s degree in English with a minor in history. Entering the workforce after graduation was daunting, at best, and completely hopeless, at worst. Who wants an English major with barely any work experience? Luckily, a church in a nearby city offered me a position as their Publications Coordinator. It was perfect for a fresh out of college English professional.
I accepted a part-time Writing Coach position at the local community college and worked there at the same time as the church. Juggling the work between two places wasn’t hard at first. Then, I decided to return to graduate school full-time and earn my master’s degree in English. Eventually, the workload became too much, and I left both the church and college to work at a local nonprofit as their full-time Public Relations and Events Coordinator. I finished my graduate degree while working at the nonprofit. After earning my master’s degree, I returned to the community college where I am currently a Career and Employment Services Specialist. Through these positions and experiences, I developed skills in event planning, event coordination, publication, communication, social media planning and execution, website design and development, empathy, community connection, and more.
Now that you know most of my work history post-undergrad, let’s review Career Readiness Competencies and how they helped me become a successful professional post-graduation. After I share my reflection, I have provided questions to help you reflect on your own competencies.
The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) identifies eight Career Readiness Competencies:
- Career and Self-Development
- Communication
- Critical Thinking
- Equity and Inclusion
- Leadership
- Professionalism
- Teamwork
- Technology
Looking at two of these competencies reveal the important way English studies set me up for success in the workplace: Communication and Critical Thinking.
Using these two competencies, in undergrad, I debated an entire high school English class on how Dracula wasn’t as violent (they argued he was more violent) as the humans in Bram Stoker’s novel. My arguments were so well presented, I almost created a riot. Books were tossed. Students were standing and shaking their fists. I remember looking at the English teacher who was seated in the back of the room to make sure she’d protect me if the students charged. She was beaming with enthusiasm and loving every minute of it. Yep, I was on my own.
Being able to use my close reading skills, memory, and articulate my argument served me well not only in that debate but also in my professional role as I continue to sharpen my communication and critical thinking skills to present new ideas, challenge current trends, and remain focused on learning and growing in the field. Both these competencies were well developed through reading, writing, synthesizing information, creating and presenting a thesis, and communicating my thoughts and arguments effectively both orally and in the written form in the classroom.
How have your classes set you up for success post-graduation? How can you use the Career Readiness Competencies you’re developing in college to serve you well in the workplace? Besides communication and critical thinking, what other Career Readiness Competencies are your instructors helping you to develop? With technology, how are you using AI and preparing yourself for the inevitable changes AI will bring in academia and the workplace?
As mentioned earlier, I work in Career and Employment Services at a community college in the heartland. I am a Certified Career Services Provider through the National Career Development Association (NCDA) and have almost seven years of experience in higher education. I led a roundtable on Careers and Transferable Skills for the English Major at the Sigma Tau Delta Convention in Pittsburgh and continued the conversation at the NCDA Conference in June.
I welcome further discussion if you have questions or want help in career exploration and career development.
Join us for a webinar with Helene Meyers, author of English Majors at Work: Career and Life Pathways, who will be offering practical guidance on internships, networking, and graduate school, on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. (CT).
Allie Remm
Career & Employment Services Specialist
allieremm@cccneb.edu
Alpha Alpha Psi Chapter, Alumnus
Hastings College, Hastings, NE
Sigma Tau Delta
Sigma Tau Delta, International English Honor Society, was founded in 1924 at Dakota Wesleyan University. The Society strives to
- Confer distinction for high achievement in English language and literature in undergraduate, graduate, and professional studies;
- Provide, through its local chapters, cultural stimulation on college campuses and promote interest in literature and the English language in surrounding communities;
- Foster all aspects of the discipline of English, including literature, language, and writing;
- Promote exemplary character and good fellowship among its members;
- Exhibit high standards of academic excellence; and
- Serve society by fostering literacy.
With over 900 active chapters located in the United States and abroad, there are more than 1,000 Faculty Advisors, and approximately 9,000 members inducted annually.
Sigma Tau Delta also recognizes the accomplishments of professional writers who have contributed to the fields of language and literature.
