Job Discussion Forums

[cindymoon]

Hi,
I am recently graduated with a B.A. in English and I'm trying to figure out what I can do with that degree in the U.S. with no credential. My prospects seem null. However, I was looking into the designated subjects credential, and I basically qualify except for the CBEST test. I'm wondering if anyone knows what I can do with the designated subjects credential in Adult Education or English? Someone told me I can only teach in high schools with adult education programs. Or any other suggestions as to what I can do now or in the near future with what I have?

thanks for any help!

[Girl Scout]

You could teach GED and Adult Literacy. Try contacting your local community colleges. See if they have Workforce Education or Adult Education offices.

Sorry, but a degree in English with no specialization is not a lot to offer a US employer.

[Cdaniels]

I grew very frustrated looking for such jobs in Massachusetts. I found a number of opportunities for people who already had teaching certificates (traditionally earned with an MA in Ed) In other words, paying opportunities for teaching adult ESL open up for people who have general child education training! It makes no sense to me, but there is no infrastructure for getting credentials to teach adult ESL. For other prospects within the US, concentrate on searching for jobs that ask for a general college degree, not necessarily in English. There are many jobs in the legal field that are good for English BAs.

[Justin Trullinger]

You could write poetry. Or novels. Or review books for your local newspaper. Or catalogue them in your local library. (probably as a volunteer, at least if you're in a small town.) At the end of the day, a degree in English isn't a professional qualification, although I think it can be excellent as far as pure education goes.

But to make a living, well, unless you luck into something, I would reccomend further training.

Justin

[cindymoon]

Thanks for the replies. I am planning on furthering my education. I want to go for an MA in English Literature. But I was hoping I could find a good job with my B.A. before I do that. Any other suggestions for what I could do now would be helpful.

Thank you!

[Jizzo T. Clown]

You might talk to some libraries, as many of them have some sort of Adult ESL program. The one here offers free ESL lessons, and it is partnered with the county's Literacy Council, so teachers are paid with government money. The teachers over there work their a$$es off trying to recruit new students so they don't lose their funding...

If you have your heart set on teaching adults, I'd recommend volunteering at the very least while going for your MA. The pay sucks ($0)but you can use the experience in the future. You know, a big picture kind of thing.

Since you're going for an MA in English Lit, I assume your long-term career goals involve teaching Lit at the university level? In that case, I don't see where teaching Adult Ed is going to help you accomplish what you want.

As for teaching in High School Adult Ed / Vo-Tech programs, it looks like most of those jobs are given to bilingual Spanish-English speakers. In my part of the country, anyway, they give a bilingual speaker preference over someone with experience teaching abroad. Not right, I know, just a fact of life in the American ESL market.

I agree with Justin. Just a BA in English won't get you very many job offers if used on its own. It's the experience you gain that will count. Ever thought about teaching abroad?

[Tracye]

I also have a B.A. in English, which is why I am planning to teach overseas. In the U.S., this is quite a useless degree. Of course, a few employers will just be glad that you have a B.A., no matter what subject it's in, but you will need some other experience or qualification to make yourself employable. I have never heard of any employer looking specifically for somone with a B.A. in English.

When I worked at the circulation desk of a library, I got an extra dollar per hour because of my B.A. When I applied for (and got) a job in the communications department of a labor union, my B.A. was part of the package, although I also had a year of organizing experience that sealed the deal for me. That didn't work out well, unfortunately, so now, I'm a nanny. It's one of the best-paying jobs I've had, actually (and I could be making more than I am - just didn't know what to charge when I was brand new), but it's not very fulfilling. I am looking forward to at least being able to see the world as part of my job, whether I love every other aspect of it or not. It will be a step up.