Customizable and flexible, an RIT degree in English builds high-demand skills and a foundation for diverse career options.
English majors bring highly practical skills to the workplace—clear and effective writing, critical thinking, analysis, persuasion, and adaptability—strengths employers consistently rank among the most valuable. In a tech-driven world, human-centered communication is essential. Today’s English grads excel at explaining complex ideas, shaping meaningful user experiences, and advancing organizational goals through focused and compelling communication.
At RIT, you can combine multiple options–tracks, minors, immersions, and double major– in virtually endless ways, preparing you for careers in nearly any industry imaginable—from technical communication and marketing to government, health care, and tech.
User Experience (UX) Writer
A user experience (UX) writer designs the words people interact with in digital products—apps, websites, and software—to make them easy, clear, and intuitive to use. They write microcopy such as CTA buttons, menus, form instructions, error messages, and onboarding steps, guiding users through tasks with minimal friction. UX writers collaborate with designers, researchers, and product managers to align language with user needs, accessibility standards, and product goals. Their focus is clarity and usability, not marketing, helping users understand what to do, what’s happening, and what to expect at every step of the experience.
Job Outlook:
Job roles of this type fall under the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Outlook Handbook’s Web Developers and Digital Designers category. Through 2034, employment in this area is forecast to grow at a rate that is much faster than average. The median salary for jobs in this category is reported as $95,380* per year per year. Read more at the BLS website
Sample RIT Pathways:
- English BS with literature and media track and professional electives courses such as Data Methods for English Majors, Media Adaptation, Storytelling Across Media, and others + Web Development (minor) or mobile design and development (minor)
- English BS with literature and media track + visual culture (minor or immersion)
- English BS with literature and media track + marketing BS (double major)
Technical Writer
A technical writer creates clear, accurate documentation that helps people understand and use complex products, systems, or processes. Producing user manuals, how-to guides, online help, FAQs, API documentation, and standard operating procedures, technical writers work closely with subject-matter experts, engineers, and product teams to translate technical information into plain language for specific audiences. Their goal is to make complex information accessible, usable, and consistent, enabling users to perform tasks correctly, safely, and efficiently.
Job Outlook:
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) forecasts growth in writing roles at a rate as fast as the average of all occupations. As people in current jobs retire, thousands of annual opportunities are predicted. Additionally, the BLS reports annual median pay for writers and authors (which includes many digital content roles) of around $72,270*, higher than the median across all occupations. Read more at the BLS website
Sample RIT Pathways:
- English BS with literature and =media track + health communication (minor)
- English BS with literature and media track + legal studies or ppublic policy (minors or immersions)
- English BS with literature and media track + sustainable product development (minor)
Video Game Worldbuilder and Scriptwriter
A video game worldbuilder and script writer creates the narrative foundation of a game, including its setting, characters, lore, and story arcs. They design believable worlds with coherent rules, histories, and cultures, and write dialogue, quests, cutscenes, and in-game text that guide the player experience. Working closely with game designers, artists, and developers, these writers ensure the story supports gameplay mechanics and player choice. Their goal is to build immersive, emotionally engaging experiences that make players feel invested in the game world and its characters.
Job Outlook:
The BLS forecasts growth in writing roles at a rate as fast as the average of all occupations. As people in current jobs retire, thousands of annual opportunities are predicted. Additionally, the BLS reports annual median pay for writers and authors (which includes many digital content roles) of around $72,270*, higher than the median across all occupations. Read more at the BLS website
Sample RIT Pathways:
- English BS with worldbuilding and transmedia storytelling track + japanese (double major, minor, or immersion)
- English BS with creative writing track + transmedia storytelling and entertainment (minor or immersion)
- English BS + game design (minor)
Brand Strategist
A brand strategist defines how an organization presents itself and connects with its audiences. They research markets, competitors, and customer insights to shape a brand’s positioning, messaging, voice, and visual direction. Brand strategists develop brand frameworks, value propositions, and guidelines that ensure consistency across marketing, communications, and experiences. Working with creative, marketing, and leadership teams, they align brand decisions with business goals, helping organizations stand out, build trust, and maintain a clear, compelling identity over time.
Job Outlook:
Job roles of this type fall under the BLS Advertising, Promotions, and Marketing Managers category. Through 2034, employment in this area is forecast to grow at a rate that is faster than average. The median salary for jobs in this category is reported as $159,660* per year. Read more at the BLS website
Sample RIT Pathways:
- English BS with literature and media track + analytic and expressive communication (immersion)
- English BS with creative writing track + visual culture (minor or immersion)
English BS with literature and media track + advertising and public relations BS (double major, minor, or immersion)
Search Engine Optimization Specialist
A search engine optimization (SEO) specialist improves a website’s visibility in search engines to attract more relevant traffic. Because AI systems don’t “discover” content the way humans do, skilled SEO writers play a critical role in AI Optimization.
SEO professionals research keywords, analyze user intent, and optimize website content, structure, and metadata so pages rank higher in search results.They also address technical factors such as site speed, mobile usability, indexing, and accessibility, and they monitor performance using analytics tools.
Working with content creators, developers, and marketers, their goal is to increase organic traffic, improve user experience, and help audiences find accurate, useful information at the right moment.
Job Outlook:
Job roles of this type fall under the BLS Advertising, Promotions, and Marketing Managers category. Through 2034, employment in this area is forecast to grow at a rate that is faster than average. The median salary for jobs in this category is reported as $159,660* per year. Read more at the BLS website
Sample RIT Pathways:
- English BS with literature and media track + artificial intelligence (minor), business analytics (minor), or marketing (minor)
- English BS with creative writing track + transmedia storytelling and entertainment (minor or immersion)
- English BS with literature and media track + marketing BS (double major)