Your employability
Employers tell us that they are looking for driven, articulate individuals with a passion for learning; English students fit that bill. During your time with us we will support your personal and professional development within, alongside and outside of your degree programme. Working in partnership with the university's Career Destinations service, we will provide you with a framework which will enable you to take ownership of your future from the start of your studies and to make the most of all opportunities available to you, building your confidence to fulfil your ambition and realise your goals.
How it works
Humanities employability modules
Three modules, one for each year of your programme, comprising of a series of lectures and seminars given by experts, employers and alumni, will take you through career planning step by step. Starting with an introduction to the opportunities on offer, the modules build up through skills self-assessment to help you to discover hidden talents, CV, application and personal statement writing, entrepreneurial and start-up options, interview techniques, psychometric testing and digital self-marketing. Employers will tell you what they can offer, from placements, internships and springboard programmes to ambassadorships and graduate recruitment. You will learn how and when to apply for roles and be given top tips for making an impact. Our alumni will share their experiences of the world of work, helping you to make connections between your studies and potential career options. Additional optional seminars and flexible online learning will enable you to tailor your development to suit you and your ambitions.
The Humanities Employability Module can be found here
Humanities Peer Mentoring
Peer Mentoring is a mutually beneficial way of learning and developing transferable skills that will help you not only during your time at the University of Southampton, but into employability. The scheme takes advantage of the expertise of current Humanities students, who use their first-hand experience and student-led training to be appointed as Mentors. New students (Mentees) are automatically enrolled into the scheme so that every new undergraduate Humanities student can take full advantage of the Mentors to provide extra help and information during their transition into University life here at Southampton. For more information, please visit our Peer Mentoring webpage.
Humanities External Advisory Board
Our modules are supported by input from our External Advisory Board. Members are drawn from a pool of employers and research partners who advise us on a fast-changing job market. Membership of the Board changes frequently so we are always getting fresh ideas, suggestions and advice.
Humanities VIP Alumni
We work closely with our graduates to provide a university experience that extends beyond graduation. Our VIP Alumni are graduates who have opted to give back to Humanities, offering their time to share their experiences and insights with current students. You will meet our VIP Alumni as you study our employability modules or network at events, activities and recruitment fairs.
Career options
When you leave Southampton as a driven, articulate individual with a passion for learning you will be equipped to enter a wide variety of fields, including setting yourself up in business.
Examples of English graduates’ career paths include: advertising account executive, PR officer, academic, project manager, editor, barrister, website editor, market analyst, marketing manager, recruitment manager, consultant, teacher, police officer, events manager, civil servant, risk manager, TEFL teacher, journalist, translator, bilingual researcher, paralegal, political researcher, human resources manager, company director, and retail manager.
Visit the English alumni pages to learn more about what our graduates are doing now.
I’ve been working for Penguin Books since May 2013, as Editorial Assistant for Puffin Fiction. I’m thrilled to be in a job that directly uses the skills I learnt on my degree, from editing and writing to time management and juggling lots of things at once.