Remember a while back when I let out the big secret that not all English majors dream of being teachers? Well, it looks like not everyone got the memo. Not that long ago, I was having a pleasant conversation with a fellow college student, and of course, the ever popular "What's your major?" question was finally asked. Here's how the (brief) conversation played out:

"So what's your major?"

"English!"

"Oh! So you're going to be a teacher!"

"No."

"But you said you're an English major!"

I'm aware of what I said; I'm the one who said it. What I didn't say was that I'm an education major, or that I long for the day I can stand in front of a group of children who couldn't possibly want to be in the classroom less than I would. Don't get me wrong - there's nothing wrong with wanting to be a teacher, and I'm not just saying that because my mom is a teacher (and a kickass one at that!). Teachers are great, and they're usually vital to the eventual success of students. However, it makes more sense to come to the conclusion that an education major is going to go into education.

So...what's the excuse for lumping English majors into the same category?

This may surprise some people, but English majors actually have a whole world of career opportunities ahead of them. We could write the next best-selling novels, we could be one of the masterminds behind a phenomenal movie, or we could write the script for the next Hamilton. Okay; maybe that last one was a bit of a stretch because, let's face it, Lin-Manuel Miranda has totally won the Broadway game. But I digress, English majors can do a lot, and they don't even have to be writing-focused. They could be the editor and publisher that took a chance on J.K. Rowling and blessed the world withHarry Potter. Maybe the guy on the 6 o'clock news could be an English major. Hell, even that sales associate who sold you a cute pair of boots last week was an English major (after all, it's said we have great communication, sensitivity, and empathy skills).

So, to recap and wrap up this little rant, please stop assuming English majors only want to go into teaching. Nothing makes my smile drop faster than someone essentially deciding that's what my career plan is. I mean, if they pose it as a question, then I can tolerate it. I've come to terms with the fact that that will almost always be asked whenever I confess my major. But to look me in the eye and tell me that's what I'll be doing? I'll quote Simon Cowell and tell you, "Sorry, that's a no from me."