Careers for English Majors
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Michael Gentile '03
Vice President, Education Sales & Marketing Penguin Random House
"My career in publishing at Penguin Random House would simply not have been possible without the Manhattan College English major, and what has allowed me to truly excel and thrive in this industry are the MC professors. The dedication to educating young people and making literature meaningful to their lives sits at the center of what they do, and it has stuck with me and has served my career and my life ever since. There is no dollar amount one could assign to that. Thank you to all of those professors, both those still with us and those who live on in our memories." -
Maria Del Russo '11
Freelance Sex and Wellness Writer Regular Contributor to Elle USA, Playboy, Men's Health, and The Cut.
"My work in English at Manhattan College has turned out to be an invaluable part of my career. (Not that I'm all that surprised by that.) As a freelance writer for such publications as Elle USA, Playboy, and Men's Health, I'm asked to produce a wide variety of stories — from long-form features to short yet punchy news hits. The amount of writing I was exposed to as part of my English minor has helped me adapt to, and become proficient in, wide-ranging styles of writing. My English classes were where I first read Joan Didion, who has become a complete inspiration for the longform essay writing I'm known for. I recently referenced Adrienne Rich, who I first read in my Modern American Lit class, in a reported piece about the orgasm gap. And I credit "The Wild Party," which I read in Contemporary American Lit, for helping me learn proper pacing in storytelling. My English classes at Manhattan College refined my writing style, and without that minor, I doubt I'd be as successful as I am today."
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Caroline Chu '16
Research Analyst, Qualitative Insights at BuzzBack
"To put it simply: I would not be able to do my job had I not studied English at Manhattan College.
I have always had a passion for English – literature, and especially writing – but I was not sure where it would take me in terms of a career as there were so many options to choose from. At Manhattan College, I found myself spending hours poring over texts, searching for every facet of meaning, and then honing those margin scribblings and rapid-fire thoughts into a concise argument. I was enjoying every minute of it while building an invaluable skill set of critical thinking, analysis, and succinct, impactful writing. These skills are integral to all that I do as a qualitative researcher in the corporate world, where it is my job to pull apart the things that people say, identify themes, and craft story-driven reports to help inform our client’s business strategy.
Truly skilled communicators are rare in the business world. As an English major, you develop and sharpen the skills that employers are hungry for, making you an invaluable asset no matter where you end up. In short, studying English means you arrive to the workforce several steps ahead of your other entry-level peers."