Every once in a while, you're bound to run into an English major and probably some of the stereotypes that follow them around. But that doesn't necessarily mean they fit into a box, and more importantly, it doesn't mean you need to enlighten them with the infinite knowledge you've gleaned about their area of study. So, if you can help it, try not to say the following upon encountering an English major.
"So are you going to be a teacher?"
No. No, no, no. Nine times out of 10 when I tell someone what I am majoring in, this is the first question out of their mouth. I'm not exactly sure where the "You're an English major so you must be a teacher" stigma came from, but let me set the record straight: that is not true at all. Don't get me wrong, I love and respect teachers and wouldn't be where I am without them. But that doesn't mean that I need or want to be one.
"What are you going to do with your major?"
More like, what am I not going to do? English majors are badass creatures who can do anything they set their mind to. But if you need proof, here's a list of things English majors could do:
journalist, editor, marketing consultant, teacher, technical writer, professor, lawyer, anything in PR, advertising, librarian, copy editor, research analyst, critic, copywriter, agent, content developer, grant writer, casting director, TV reporter.
The list is endless, really. But if you need more proof to see that an English major really can do anything, here are a few famous individuals who majored in English:
Conan O'Brien, Matt Damon, Barbara Walters, Joan Cusack, Diane Sawyer, Mitt Romney, Joan Rivers and Emma Watson.
"Be prepared to have no money."
This one is just rude to say in general. It's my life; I get to decide how I spend it. For one thing, being an English major does not mean that I am going to be living in a box for the rest of my life. Secondly, who says you need to be rolling in cash to have a good life? I didn't choose my major based on how much money it was going to make me when I finished college. I chose my major because I enjoy it.
"It must be nice to have such easy classes and a light courseload."
No, I do not solve complex math problems or design computer programs. I also do not have a major where there are "correct" answers. I read 200- to 300-page books and write a 10-page paper on them in the span of one week, and that is only for one class. I challenge you to carry my book-filled backpack around for a day or analyze whether "The Great Gatsby" has more Marxist or structuralist critical theory. My classes are full of discussion and there is no way to "solve" what I write about in my papers. English majors don't receive formulas to find a solution. Please do not try to tell me that my classes are easy or that I have a light courseload.
"I'm sure you love reading classic literature like Shakespeare."
Contrary to popular belief, not every English major is in love with reading the classics. Shakespeare, as well as many pieces of literature written in the 1600s, can be crazy hard to understand. Just because it has been in the literary canon for years does not mean that I love to read it. Sure, I think that Shakespeare is to be appreciated. Does that mean that I spend all of my spare time reading every last word he wrote? Not even close.
"You are such a grammar Nazi."
Grammar is important. Spelling is important. If you ever want to be taken seriously in the world, you're going to need to know this.
"Do you think you'll regret majoring in English?"
Nope.
