Suman Sharman completed a degree in English Literature (Cambridge) after a first degree in Chemistry and Biology and fourteen years in business.
“I felt there was always a gap in my life that needed to be filled.”
Steven Whitaker (English Literature, Sheffield) works in Finance as a Partner and Chief Operating Officer of Equistone, a private equity firm which operates across Europe.
“I learned to see both sides of an argument, to understand multiple perspectives, and how to cope with ambiguity. These academic ‘must haves’ have proved to be useful skills as a manager too!”
Lydia Cutmore (English Literature, Hull) works in Publishing for Emerald Group Publishing.
“I felt English Literature would open up the most variety in terms of careers following university.”
Louise Morgan works in the police, and – alongside her job – studied Humanities with Literature (Open University) and took a Masters in Shakespeare and Theatre (Birmingham).
“I now investigate incidents in a far more methodical and structured manner than before.”
Lizzie Quill (English, St Andrews) works in fundraising.
“English is a subject that grows the person.”
Kirsty Armstrong(English, Aberystwyth) works for the UK government in the Civil Service.
“I further developed analytical skills, the ability to understand and concisely convey information, and the ability to communicate clearly.”
Jillian Luke (English Literature: Cambridge, Durham, Edinburgh) works in the Civil Service as Senior Advisor to the Omagh Bombing Inquiry.
“Studying English allowed me to develop the habit of independent and rigorous thought.”
Jake Collins is currently on a year in industry, working for Rolls Royce, as part of his degree in English Language and Literature (Sheffield).
“Being in the logistics department as an English student isn’t the ‘done thing’ so it allows for a fresh outlook and maybe approaches that I have learnt through the discipline that most others who work here wouldn’t have thought of.”
Charlotte Raybaud (English Literature, St Andrews) works for the global auction house Phillips.
“English equips you with the skill to find an ‘angle’. That was vital when it came to marketing and press tasks.”