What Can You Do With a Degree in English? Alumni Showcase the Possibilities Stemming from a Love for Lit

Some people may think, in a world of rapidly evolving technology, that English is becoming an outdated major.

Studying literature from hundreds of years ago-who needs that? But the truth is that English majors have never been more important. In today's rapidly changing world, we're constantly being deluged with information, from traditional media to the internet and social media, and there's been a flood of disinformation as well.

As technology continues to connect diverse populations, the ability to analyze texts, understand different perspectives and convey ideas becomes increasingly essential. English majors are uniquely prepared to answer these challenges. Their expertise allows them to address modern challenges by fostering critical thinking, effective communication and cultural awareness. Additionally, their deep engagement with language drives innovation in media and education, making them vital contributors to a more informed and connected world.

Adelphi's English program helps students sharpen their communication skills through literary analysis and academic study. Its curriculum equips alumni with the skill set to analyze complex information, craft persuasive arguments and adapt to a rapidly changing world. "Majoring in English is great practice for professions that require you to read and process information quickly (law, medicine), to encapsulate information in a direct and appealing way (marketing, advertising), and analyze and present information in a convincing and supported manner," said Department of English professor and interim chair Lahney Preston-Matto, PhD.

Here are some of the career paths our Adelphi alumni have taken with this degree.

Surround Yourself With Literature at Public Libraries

Caitlin Lenahan '18 had always been a bookish kid. She spent a lot of time at her local library on Long Island, Franklin Square Public Library, devouring novels by different authors. Having known Lenahan as a child and her passion for reading, the Franklin Square librarians suggested that she become a page when she was old enough. And so she did, working throughout high school, maintaining the physical order and appearance of the library.

It was Lenahan's love for books that drove her to pursue an undergraduate degree in English. She took her literary passions to Adelphi, where she was accepted into the Honors College. "I was able to get a solid education from Adelphi at a great price, thanks to the scholarships I received," she said. "Plus, the campus is gorgeous and has a great atmosphere. I also had the benefit of living within walking distance of campus, which made commuting a breeze."

Lenahan took a broad range of courses at Adelphi, learning how to interpret text and evaluate information while sharpening her communication abilities in both writing and speech. Two of her favorite classes were Medieval Literature, which covered Viking sagas, and a course on the famous English writer and poet Geoffrey Chaucer. Both classes were taught by Dr. Preston-Matto. To this day, seven years after graduation, Lenahan thinks often about those classes and how much they meant to her. "Students often think that an English degree is just reading books and learning how to structure an argument for writing a paper, and while that's still part of it, I think that undersells how fun the whole process is," she said. "It's a joy to be able to read and discuss as a group and, in the process, you're exposed to so many different experiences and worldviews. You're building critical thinking skills and having a blast doing so!"

Lenahan obtained her BA in English, along with a minor in art history. Throughout her time at Adelphi, she continued to work as a page at the Franklin Square Public Library. "It did not dawn on me that I could work at a library full time until I looked around at my colleagues and put the pieces together," she said. "Once I showed interest in that track, the librarians on staff all gave me the guidance I needed to pursue librarianship as a career."

She went on to pursue a master's degree in library science at Queens College in New York City. Once she started library school, Lenahan began working as a librarian trainee at Franklin Square during the summer of 2019. She graduated from Queens College in 2022.

Since 2023, Lenahan has worked as a digital resources specialist in the Nassau Library System, serving as the point of contact for the 54 public libraries in Nassau County and their vendors. She coordinates database orders, which involves communicating with vendors for pricing, reading contracts, preparing information for the libraries, scheduling and holding webinars and other trainings, and providing tech support.

Librarianship is just one route to go with an English degree. One of Lenahan's friends from Dr. Preston-Matto's Vikings class, Nicole Restrepo, MFA '22, pursued the creative writing track. She now works as adjunct faculty in creative writing at Adelphi. Whether it's creative writing or English literature, Lenahan feels that English majors are more necessary than ever. "I think, in this day and age, it's important to have a strong foundation in literacy and to cultivate the ability to interpret the worth of information," she said. "With the influx of disinformation on the Web, it's become even more crucial to be able to vet your sources and understand the context of what you're seeing. And, with increasing amounts of our life touched by online communication, being able to write clearly and effectively is an ever more important skill to have. A degree in English sets you up with all the skills you need to thrive."

Share Your Passion of Books Through Teaching

Ariyana Felician '20, MA '21, has a similar story to Caitlin Lenahan. She always loved reading and storytelling and was constantly in the library, immersing herself in different worlds and novels. She knew that her professional career had to involve books in some way. But first, she had to figure out college.

She wanted to stay close to her home in Long Island, which drew her to Adelphi. She interviewed for Adelphi's Honors College with its associate dean for academic affairs, Craig Carson, PhD, who left an impact on the aspiring undergrad. "He spoke so highly of the English professors," she said. "I felt like I'd be with like-minded individuals who shared my passion for storytelling and literature. I thought to myself, these are the kinds of conversations I want to be having."

She enrolled in the Honors College and, since she enjoyed reading more than writing, chose English literature over creative writing as the concentration for her undergraduate studies. Felician also always had an interest in teaching. As a child, she would pretend that her little sister was her student and would instruct her during their playtime. "I wanted to work with kids and help people," she said. "My deep interest in literature, and that desire to help people, fortified my interest in teaching. Teaching literature to kids encompassed all my goals and passions."

Felician graduated in 2020 with her BA in English literature. Because she pursued Adelphi's accelerated five-year STEP program, she was able to graduate in 2021 with her master's degree in adolescent education. As part of the STEP program, she did a Bellmore-Merrick [Central High School District] internship, a student teaching internship that fifth-year students are required to take in their fall term.

Upon graduation, Felician's first job was as an English teacher at Bay Shore High School on Long Island. And she never left. She's now working as a tenured English teacher, teaching AP English language and composition, African-American literature, and ninth-grade honors English. In her teaching, she continues to use some of the resources and discussions from her time at Adelphi, modifying them for her own student population." I felt like I was in a much better position than my peers because of my education at Adelphi," she said. "The Step program and the Bellmore-Merrick internship set me apart from other applicants, giving me a lot of hands-on experience in the classroom. All of that informed how I work with my own students and teach them."

While Felician has excelled in teaching, many of her peers and friends with English majors have pursued other career paths. Some work in publishing, while others work as copywriters and freelance writers. Another creates communications for a nonprofit organization. There are many career paths that an English major can take, and Felician agrees that English majors are as essential as ever. "The foundation of an English major isn't just stories, but perspectives," she explained. "It's about building your own perspective and understanding other perspectives. We talk so much in society about critical thinking and media literacy, and so much of that starts with books. English is an invaluable study."