Careers with an english and creative writing degree
Studying English Literature and Creative Writing gives you the tools to grow as a creative writer while exploring the literary traditions that shape great storytelling. You'll sharpen your voice, deepen your literary perspective, and develop the critical skills to imagine and create new worlds and ways of seeing.
What can I do with my degree? An English degree prepares you for careers in publishing, writing, communications, education and media.
Skills you'll develop
Your degree builds more than academic knowledge, it shapes the way you think, communicate and collaborate. Throughout your studies, you'll develop key skills for your career, such as:
Functional knowledge:
Compare and contextualize texts across cultures, languages and time periods
Communication:
Formulate strong, evidence-based arguments, adapting tone and style to different audiences
Management and organization:
Manage multiple deadlines for essays, articles and presentations
Community building:
Provide constructive feedback on writing while respecting diverse perspectives and cultural narratives
Critical thinking and problem solving:
Break down texts, arguments and ideas to identify implicit messages and biases in literature
As a Concordia student, you will develop valuable skills to bring to any career opportunity.
Beyond the classroom: Build your career path
Getting involved outside of the classroom can help you discover your interests, develop new skills and build a network of peers and professionals in your field.
First year
- Join Concordia Association for Students in English (CASE) or explore other clubs that interests you.
- Improve your language fluency in French or English through conversation practice.
- Consider writing content for Concordia’s newspapers The Link or The Concordian.
- Consider a Career Edge internship to gain professional work experience during your program.
- Browse the CAPS online job bank for opportunities to gain work experience.
Middle years
- Connect with Career Counselling & Education Transitions to plan your career path.
- Publish your work in journals or attend literary and scholarly events within the university.
- Enrich your global perspective by studying abroad for an academic term.
- Volunteer with an organization for a cause you care about.
- Get paid work experience and tackle real-world challenges with District 3’s 12-week summer residency program.
Final year
- Enroll in English courses with an experiential learning component.
- Attend research initiatives offered by the English department.
- Explore and contribute to student-run literary magazines and publications.
- Build confidence in class presentations and discussions with public speaking workshops with FutureBound’s storytelling and public speaking series.
- Explore leadership opportunities in Concordia Association for Students in English (CASE)
- Network with potential employers at recruitment events and career fairs.
Specialize your studies
Minors & elective groups
You can customize your degree by adding a minor or elective group. Popular choices with this program include:
Graduate studies and certifications
Graduate studies can help you specialize in a subject you love, engage in meaningful research or open doors to new career paths. Certifications are a great way to build new skills that complement your degree.
Talk to your professors or a career counsellor at the Student Success Centre to find programs that fit your goals.
Start exploring:
- Universitystudy.ca: A data base of graduate programs in Canada
- Concordia’s School of Graduate Studies: Graduate programs offered at Concordia
- Graduate funding and awards: Scholarships and awards, research and teaching assistantships, and other financial supports for Concordia graduate students
- Concordia Continuing Education: Courses, workshops and programs to advance your career
Career exploration resources
Professional associations
Access professional associations to explore opportunities and expand your network.
- St. Joseph Communications
- Association of Canadian Publishers
- Canadian Authors Association
- Canadian Media Producers Association
- Association des traducteurs et traductrices littéraires du Canada
- Association of Canadian College and University Teachers of English
- Editors’ Association of Canada
- The Writers’ Union of Canada
- L’Union des écrivaines et des écrivains québécois
Job banks
Career counselling & advising
Want tailored career advice? Book an appointment with one of our career counsellors or career advisors.
Start your job search
Career Advising and Professional Success (CAPS) can help you find opportunities and support you with networking, applications and interviews.
