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Career Opportunities for Majors in Comparative Literature

Introduction

Comparative Literature is an interdisciplinary program that studies literature as it shapes and is shaped by the world of science, economics, politics, and other cultural and historical forces. It focuses on literature across national and cultural boundaries in an effort to learn about its nature, function, and value. Students will also explore theory and cultural studies, as well as read literature in original languages and in translation.

Comparative Literature is versatile and helps develop skills useful anywhere. Graduates may go on to study literature in graduate school, or, because of their training in research, critical thinking, and writing, are also prepared for law school and other professional schools. Additionally, many careers do not require a specific major, but are chosen on the basis of personal interests, skills, preferences, and ambitions. Thus graduates can also pursue careers in business, government, education, and the non-profit sector. Regardless of your career plans, it is important to develop your marketability through internships, responsible work experience, good grades, and participation in campus activities.

A Sample of Related Occupations

Administrative Assistant	Historical Society Specialist	Politician
Advertising Account Exec.	Human Resources Specialist	Production Assistant
Campaign Manager	Journalist	Public Relations Assistant
Communications Specialist	Lawyer	Publicity Assistant
Community Relations Specialist	Legislative Assistant	Research Assistant
Copy Writer	Librarian	Researcher/Writer
Corporate Trainer	Lobbyist	Sales Representative
Critic	Management Trainee	Special Events Coordinator
Customer Service Rep.	Media Buyer	Teacher
Editorial Assistant	Museum Curator	Volunteer Coordinator
Editor/Writer	Non-profit Administrator
Education Director	Personnel Trainee

Types of Employers

Private & Non-profit Organizations
Advertising Agencies	Foundations	Museums
Banks/Financial Institutions	Healthcare Facilities	Newspapers/Magazines
Book Publishers	Hospitality Organizations	Public Relations Firms
Community Arts Centers	Insurance Companies	Research Organizations
Community Service Organizations	Investment Firms	Retail Stores
Consumer Organizations	Market Research Companies	Telecommunications Firms
Educational Institutions	Media (Radio, TV)	Theaters

Government Agencies
Civil Rights Commission	Legislative Affairs	Small Business Admin.
Consumer Affairs Office	National Endowment for the Humanities	Smithsonian Institution
Cultural Affairs	National Institutes of Health	Travel and Tourism Dept.
Department of Education	Peace Corp/AmeriCorps
Division of Youth & Family Services	Political Organizations

Jobs Obtained by Rutgers Graduates

Account Executive, GCI Group	Paralegal, Markowitz & Zindler
Administrative Assistant, Barclays Bank	Paralegal, Wilfe & Silverman
Admissions Patient Financial Assoc., Georgetown Univ. Hosp.	Political Analyst, CIA (PhD)
Assistant Professor, University of Arkansas (PhD)	Programming Director, Fair Oaks Hospital (MA)
Assoc. Director, Alumni Affairs, Columbia Univ. (MA)	Purchasing Agent, Vista Computer Center
Attorney, Baker & Friedman (JD)	Reference Librarian, St. John's Univ. (MLS)
Director, Humanities Institute, Univ. at Stony Brook (PhD)	Senior Editor, Solutions Integrator
Editor, The Tech Law Advisor Newsletter	Teacher, Miami Dade Community College
Freelance Worker, American Express Co.	Unknown, Center for Educational Travel
Humanities Reference Librarian, Bates College Library (MLS)	Unknown, Qual. Med. Plans for Health
Interpretive Park Ranger, Lava Beds National Monument	Unknown, U.S. Department of Justice
Law Clerk, State of New Jersey (JD)

Graduate Schools Attended (section under development—limited information available)

University of Texas at Austin, PhD Comparative Literature - Spanish & Portuguese

Additionally, you may:

Explore the career paths of RU Alumni Career Network mentors.
Go to the Rutgers Online Career Planning Site to explore your interests, skills and values. Use the program for either: High School Students | College Students.
Explore Rutgers University academic department information related to this major.
See the Occupational Outlook Handbook for additional career information.
Pick up your "Career Opportunities" handouts at any New Brunswick Career Services office.


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