EIU Department of English

Career Paths for English Majors:

Human Resources

Although human resources is typically considered a business field, the research and communication skills of English majors seem to lead them to this area of business fairly often. Human resources professionals work in businesses and nonprofit agencies to manage the relations between employers and their employees, including policies, hiring, and benefits.

Graduates of EIU’s English program who pursue careers in human resources hold positions including Senior Staffing Manager at a California financial services firm.

The employment outlook: According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2014 there were 482,000 people working as human resources specialists. The field is projected to grow by 5% through 2024. *

Does this sound like you? Human resources professionals need strong attention to detail and a good understanding of complex organizations. They also require excellent research and communication skills as well as strong interpersonal skills.

*All data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics cited on this page come from the Occupational Outlook Handbook, which is available and searchable online.