As a student who is studying English for undergrad, I am always asked these ten questions to some degree by friends, family, teachers, and even total strangers. To all my English majors out there either quoting Lord Byron or studying the importance of rhetorical situation: can you relate?

1. So, you want to teach?

Every. Time. Every English major is all too familiar with this question when they tell someone what they are studying. If our sole career goal was to teach, wouldn't we just major in education?

2. So, are you considering law school?

Many law students do indeed choose English for their undergraduate degree because it teaches excellent writing and rhetoric skills. However, we can usually assure you that we're not analyzing how Poe uses alliteration in The Raven to one-day challenge court rulings.

3. Who's your favorite author?

Most English majors know the difficulty in answering this question. We study so many fascinating, relatable writers that we find it hard to choose one as our favorite!

4. What's your favorite book?

Congrats to the English majors who can answer this question! Personally, I never can. Although I can name several books that have especially influenced me, I'll never be able to choose just one as my all-time favorite.

5. Speaking of books, are you going to write one someday?

Answer? OF COURSE! Yes! Well, maybe. I mean, I'd like to. Uh. We'll see. Um. But publishers and self-promotion and the time to actually write it. Oh, and money--which, as all English majors know, is something we supposedly never have.

6. Can you read my paper for me and tell me what you think?

Every English major tries to learn the art of being someone between supportive friend and professional editor.

7. Can I pay you to write my paper for me?

As incredibly tempting as that offer is, we have to decline.

8. You know that involves quite a bit of reading and writing, right?

Hm, interesting. Maybe someone should have told us this before we declared sophomore year. Also, did you know majoring in mathematics involves numbers and equations? Now that is terrifying.

9. Are humanities majors easier than science majors?

Every English major realizes that everyone is different. We'd choose writing a fifteen-page argument paper over a three-hour chemistry exam any day. If you, however, prefer formulas and figures, please know that we admire you. Scientists, mathematicians, and accountants, you all amaze us.

10. Wouldn't you rather study something a little more practical?

At the end of the day, every student should major in the subject in which they are most passionate. If not, then you will never be able to perform to your absolute best because your heart will not be what you study. Career options and high-paying salaries for English majors are actually not at all as rare as the stereotype depicts.We choose to be English majors because we love stories, questions, analyzations, and ideas, and we believe that there is something valuable in our ability to communicate those with others through the written word.