what to do with an english degree?

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yellowLedbetter
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02 Jun 2011, 11:52 am

So my goal is to someday write for TV or film, but before I move to LA and try to get a job in the entertainment industry working as a PA or something to work my way up I need to get a job here to save up some money. Problem is, most jobs that are good for degrees in english require experience.

Any ideas for good entry level jobs for english majors?



blueroses
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02 Jun 2011, 12:42 pm

I have an English degree and my first job after I'd graduated was as a proofreader at a publishing company. I now work in social services, though, where I do use my degree a bit on grant-writing.



yellowLedbetter
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02 Jun 2011, 12:51 pm

that sounds really cool! I think proofreading would be a place where I could do really well. thanks for the advice!



Lahmacun
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02 Jun 2011, 4:29 pm

There is also an organization called Textbroker that will pay freelancers to write articles for them. You might develop a niche on writing about the film industry, which would give you a reason to contact interview subjects as a journalist. Then, later, you'll have a nice, fat Rolodex filled with valuable contacts you can send your scripts to!



blueroses
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02 Jun 2011, 5:06 pm

yellowLedbetter wrote:
that sounds really cool! I think proofreading would be a place where I could do really well. thanks for the advice!


Yes, I think it could be a good niche for someone with AS who is very detail-oriented. One caveat to bear in mind, though, is that companies seem to be increasingly hiring proofreaders and copyeditors on a freelance basis, which means less job stability and no health benefits. But, it can be a good fit for some people and an opportunity for someone right out of school to learn about publishing and get a foot in the door at a company.



Meow1971
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02 Jun 2011, 5:40 pm

While not paid you could fill in the time until you find a job you could try proofreading or doing other work for Project Gutenberg



yellowLedbetter
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02 Jun 2011, 6:23 pm

these are all great! thanks for the feedback!



dahnuguy
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14 Jun 2011, 4:13 pm

talk good
say good stuff to people
write good stuff better than most people
read more stuff and understand the hard parts

be disappointed with everyone else's language use.