As one of the few English majors in a science and technology based school, I am consistently asked what I hope to do with my major after graduation, most commonly whether I am going into the education or publishing sectors that the major is usually associated with. (I can hear the population of English undergraduates sigh with commiserate understanding!)
Unlike majors such as engineering or nursing, which provide more clear-cut job opportunities in the direct line of what you are studying in college, the path for an English major is not as much of a train track leading from one destination to the next. This can be terrifying for many who would rather not wander between the boundaries that life provides, but instead prefer to know exactly where they are and where they may be going.
I have gotten many remarks involving my major, often uncomfortable comments about how my major is one way to ensure unemployment. Unfortunately, such is the mindset of most of my generation who now plan educational futures and successes according to the calling of the job market provided to them post-graduation. Indeed, college should primarily be seen as an investment toward one’s future, and wasting such invaluable education would be nothing short of foolish.
Now, don’t get me wrong; I am not here to preach the benefits of following one’s true passion and ignoring the terrible fiscal decision it can sometimes lead to. One’s decision in their lifestyle should be a happy marriage between passion and practicality. Being an English major provides a wealth of knowledge in countless subjects, making a graduate incredibly marketable in a myriad of fields. Most commonly, this has included marketing entrepreneurs, business, higher education, law, public relations, advertising, research and screenplay writing, as well as endless other opportunities.
Think about it: the curriculum involved in graduating with an English degree provides an incredibly broad worldview. One is not only studying the art of expression in a given language but also culture, history, philosophy and sociology that are entailed in a time oriented piece of work. It spans the entirety of human existence, almost acting as a dictionary for human thought, experience and emotions. English majors find themselves doctored in the fields of philosophy, politics, ideologies, economics, race, gender, sexuality, class, history, anthropology, sociology, environmentalism and psychology, which can prove as invaluable assets for employers seeking a cultured and well-rounded member of their team.
Businesses now specifically seek out English majors, as they are recognized by employers as having the ability to read enormous amounts of data with efficiency and detail, as well as process this data for use and understanding. Alongside key writing skills, graduates are also incredibly capable of formulating structured and reasoned arguments, a skill which is crucial throughout the competitive job market. As such, an English major’s problem is not getting a job, but rather, choosing one!
