When I tell people that I’m an English major, I get a look I’ve now become very familiar with. It’s a mixture of sadness and fear that one day I’ll be living out of a box because there’s no way I will be able to get a well-paying job. The look is always followed up with, “Oh so you want to be a teacher?” No, in fact, I do not. Don’t get me wrong, teachers are awesome, but it’s not for me. An English degree is actually extremely versatile and can lead to a lot of great things. Here are just five people that are extremely successful, despite the negative connotations surrounding an English degree.

1. Andrea Jung

She graduated from Princeton University with a degree in English Literature. She later went on to become the first female CEO of Avon Products Inc.

2. Conan O'Brien

Conan graduated from Harvard University with a double degree in History and English. He has hosted many late-night talk shows and has written for Saturday Night Live. In 2015 he became the longest-working of all current late-night talk show hosts.

3. Barbara Walters

Barbara Walters graduated from Sarah Lawrence College with an English degree. In 1974 she became the first woman with the title “co-host” on a network news station, and two years later she became the first female co-anchor of a network evening news.

4. Steven Spielberg

Spielberg graduated from California State University with an English degree. He is considered one of the pioneers of the New Hollywood era and one of the most popular directors and producers in film history.

5. Emma Watson

Emma graduated from Brown University with a degree in English Literature in 2014. After her “Harry Potter” days, she has become a huge voice in women’s rights. She is the UN Women Goodwill Ambassador as well as launched the HeForShe campaign.