Research options

One of which is the study of ancient Tamil grammar that has changed over the years. “Tamil literature has verb roots that haven’t changed but scholars and poets have used affixes and prefixes to change meanings,” says S Rajendran, HOD, department of linguistics, Tamil University, Thanjavur. “I’m doing a thesis on the Historical Linguistic Study of Tamil, which traces the history, syntax, usage and the changes of verbs. It is not enough that you get a degree in Tamil. These research works help you understand the language better and also makes way for comparative study with other languages. It also improves your skill in research.” But these kinds of researchers are rare, says Ramasamy, whose biggest complaint is that there aren’t many who have adequate language skill. “There are marked differences between the modern and old Tamil. Words had different meanings and verbs were used in a different context. So to do a thesis on literature, they need to understand the grammar, syntax and linguistic changes in Tamil. We conduct an orientation course for those interested in doing research in Tamil literature but a basic understanding would help a lot more.”

B.A. in Tamil Literature

B.A. Tamil Literature - Stands for Bachelor of Arts in Tamil Literature. Typically, a B.A. is a three year course, minimum eligibility for which is an intermediate (10+2) in any discipline. Tamil is the study of literature, linguistics and philosophy of the Tamil language. Subjects typically studied under this degree are Poetry, Drama, Fiction, Literary Criticism, Literary History etc.

Basic Eligibility

For joining a bachelor’s degree course, the candidate must have passed the higher secondary school certificate or 10+2 from a recognized board. The duration of the course is usually three years.

Job Prospects

Different  career options are available for graduates in this field, for instance one can become a teacher, translator or a freelancer as well. For imparting a program in the foreign language, the educational institutions mostly look for experts in this field.

Option for taking private tuitions is also available. There are various types of jobs available for interpreters, such as consecutive interpreter, general interpreter and liaison interpreter.

Career Possibilities

The following is a list of some career possibilities that students in this major might find rewarding. Remember, that your major does not necessarily determine your career. Graduates use their academic majors in a variety of professional fields. The options below can be used as a starting point to explore potential career paths, however, you may also want to investigate more using recommended resources to gain a more comprehensive list of careers. Keep in mind that additional education, training, and experiential education beyond your major may be needed to pursue these possibilities.

ACQUIRED SKILLS

• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Read accurately and analytically
• Imaginative & creative
• Persuasive
• Self motivated & disciplined
• Editing & grammatical skills
• Organized
• Observant
• Individually expressive
• Ability to present alternative view points
• Summarizing ideas

CAREER TITLES

• Assistant Copywriter
• Author
• Book Critic
• Book Editor
• Business Manager
• Columnist
• Copyeditor
• Copywriter
• Counselor
• Editor
• Fact Checker
• Fund Raiser
• Lawyer
• Librarian
• Literary Agent
• Marketing Specialist
• Media Buyer

Career Options

English Literature graduates can start a career in a variety of fields such as public relations, business and teaching. Furthermore, students who major in English literature can choose to become a writer or editor for online publications, magazines, advertising agencies or corporations. The creative writer can opt for a job as the author of children's books or novels.

Writers and Editors

Writers and editors develop material for online publications, newsletters and trade journals, as well as books, magazines and newspapers. Whether they write articles, textbook chapters, video game text or biographies, writers perform research, organize their material and present it in a style appropriate to the medium to convey a message. Editors review and edit writing for clarity, grammar, content and style. Writers and editors may work heavily with electronic publishing software, multimedia software and scanners.

Publishing and print journalism, traditional industries for English majors, have been experiencing crisis and change. Alternative markets and media, however, provide additional opportunities for English majors interested in working in the competitive writing and editing fields. Writers and editors work in marketing and communications departments in private industry. They work in electronic publishing, and they write and edit advertising copy. Writers and editors with a scientific or technical background can find many opportunities in technical writing and editing.

Job Outlook for Writers and Editors

Competition for writing and editing jobs is stiff, and the market isn't experiencing swift expansion. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (www.bls.gov), employment opportunities are expected to increase 3% for writers and decline by 2% for editors from 2012-2022. For journalist reporters and correspondents, employment is expected to decline 14% over the same period. Enjoying better prospects, jobs for technical writers are projected to increase by 15% within that decade.

Careers in Literature

Career Paths
Career opportunities are abundant to an individual with a degree in English because skills gained from this area of study can be easily applied to many career areas. Individuals possessing the ability to think clearly and critically, to analyze and interpret data, and communicate results are in great demand by employers. The list below offers a few examples of career opportunities for English majors.

•     Account Executive  
•     Actor/actress  
•     Administrative Assistant/Office Manager
•     Advertising Account Executive
•     Advertising/Sales Representative
•     Announcer
•     Application Developer
•     Archivist
•     Area Coordinator
•     Attorney
•     Author
•     Bank Officer
•     Book Publisher
•     Bookstore manager
•     Broadcast Advertising Manager
•     Broadcaster
•     Business Operations Planner
•     Buyer
•     Career Counselor
•     Certified Public Accountant
•     Child Care Specialist/Teacher
•     Columnist
•     Commodities Trader
•     Communication Skills Trainer
•     Communications Director
•     Community Affairs Specialist
•     Computer Manager/Consultant
•     Confidential Executive
•     Consultant