Choosing a major in college can be an extremely challenging and worrisome issue to deal with. The negative stigma that one can't really make a good amount of money with a liberal arts degree compared to a degree in the medical field is very prevalent and evident within today's college crowd. Last year as a freshman, I had no clue what to choose for a major, and I really didn't know what I wanted to do with my life. I figured the business management route was a good option, and was something I could picture myself getting involved with. Fast forward to this year - microeconomics class was a rough experience and made me rethink my major. Considering I had always liked to read, write, and analyze certain books and shows, an English degree seemed like a more exciting option.
Hearing the standardized stereotype that as an English Major one could only teach and make a smaller amount of money scared me away. I switched back from English to Business, which I wasn't very happy about. I was trying to be as realistic as possible and figured a future in management would be a decent choice. After talking with my German professor, my English advisor, and my parents, I decided to follow and chase my dreams, and to do what I truly love. As my fourth (and final) switch, I came back to English. As of right now, I am very pleased with this decision. My English advisor also calmed my nerves by showing me some new and exciting possibilities that are currently open to those majoring in English. He explained how tech companies like Logitech are always hiring majors in that field, because of their skills in reading, writing, critically thinking, and analyzing. He also explained how English Majors are being hired for jobs in public relations, marketing and promotions, social work, human resources, broadcasting and journalism, and even writing for digital media (Hello, Odyssey Online).
As stated earlier, becoming a great reader and analyzer is a very good life skill to obtain, as is being a great writer and thinker. In today's growing society, we as college students face the challenge of being unemployed right out of college, pummeled with paying off student loans and debts.
If you are a college student and reading this, here are my words of wisdom: go for what you truly love and are passionate about. Be bold. Be courageous. If you happen to be in a major that you are not satisfied with for any reason, sit down and take some time to rethink what you would really like to do and where you would really like to go. If you happen to be in a major that you are delighted with, stick to it. Move forward with confidence.
Choosing to be an English Major has been very satisfying, and has given me many opportunities even as a sophomore, such as writing for a certain digital media website (Hello again, Odyssey Online). If you are in the position of not knowing what you want to do and are unsure of where you're at, explore your options and think about what really interests you. It will help in the long run. All in all, I'm very proud to be an English major, and the "write" choice was made. No matter what major you choose, I wish you the best.
