No, we don't only read and write. No, you don't get automatic A's. Yes, you can actually build a career off of this major. Just because being an English major may differ from what you or your friends are doing doesn't mean it is any less rigorous or important. Here are a few things we English majors seem to hear far too often...
1. So you don't really do anything?
2. You just read a lot, right?
3. So you're a good writer then?
4. What do you actually learn?
5. But what job do you get with an English degree?
6. Oh, so you like, read only all of the old people, right? Like uh, Shakespeare?
7. Your parents are okay spending that much on tuition for an English degree?
8. So that's not a very intense major, right?
9. But what do you learn???
10. I just don't understand why you'd want to read that much.
Even though it may not be what you're doing... don't hate, appreciate!