English Graduate…career ideas?

[EnglishGradMum]

Posting here for traffic.
Wise women, if you are a recent English graduate, from a non-Russell Group Uni, who is also a Mum, what would you do career-wise?

My original idea, was of course, teaching, but now wondering if there is any ideas I haven’t thought of…

Civil Service might be a thing, or editorial work in publishing, which is very competitive mind you.

I went into marketing, good money and quite flexible hours.

I went into communications, easy to get flexible hours if you are not dealing with media enquiries. I am civil service but so many organisations out there have comms/marketing people from insurabce companies to private schools to community organisations and lots of the roles are part time.

Same as PP, work in comms.

I kind of wish I had had a career in publishing. TV production?
If you like university atmosphere then a professional services role, often flexible for childcare.

Could you do a further qualification and teach English or even ESOL at college etc... so adult education rather than kids/teens?

Thank you for all the replies. I have thought of marketing/communications, but wondered if honestly I would be hired for the junior roles being in my 30s? I would expect these to go to young graduates?

Having never travelled, I hadn’t considered ESOL either but I will look into it.

A lot of comms work is just having some common sense, especially when working with policy people.Lots of teachers move into comms for example as they have good plain english skills.

yes i was going to say copywriting. It might be easier to get work if you match it with another skill you have - what work did you do before? Obviously it doesnt preclude going for other jobs......but you could present yourself as a copywriter that specialises in retail work for example

I went into entry level social research as a research assistant and from there into corporate services roles in the social housing sector. Then made a sideways step into the governance and legal side of that and am now a Company Secretary. Uses lots of transferable skills. It’s interesting, fulfilling and (at my level at least) very well paid.

Why did you choose to do an English degree? That will presumably guide what field/s you’d like to work in? When I did my degree (although mine was with History) it was just because they were my favourite subjects at school and my career is essentially an accident - but as a mature student I’m imagining you gave the subject more thought and had wider goals.

Don't let your age put you off. I have recently joined a large accountancy firm as an Associate and I am 45. You won't know unless you apply. Good luck.

It's never too late to build a career, or to get an education.

30s is fine! Don’t let that worry you. I think it would be an advantage over a 24 year old.

If you are interested in publishing look at The Bookseller website for the job pages to get ideas. It’s not all fiction - there are loads of business magazines etc that pay well

copywriting for websites is good eg Ocado writing all those descriptions!

teaching would be ace as you can also private tutor so can be varied and very well paid

If interested in publishing, agree re looking in the Bookseller as PP says. I believe Marketing, PR and Production roles can be less competitive ways to get into the industry, and then once you have some industry experience you might be more likely to find an Editorial role if you don’t mind moving sideways. Most of the big publishers offer paid 2-week work experience if you look on their websites too, so you could potentially get a feel for it. Good luck with whatever you try and hope you find something you like!