Yes, I'm An English Major; No, I Don't Want To Teach It
Politics and Activism

Yes, I'm An English Major; No, I Don't Want To Teach It

I am not majoring in English because I do not know what I want to do with my life.

 Angelina Pranger
May 15, 2018
Grand Canyon University
169
Unsplash

English majors: what seems to be a dying breed, a very judged major, and the definition of who I am.

Whenever I get asked my major, I always get two looks.

The first? Pity. The individual is most likely to look at me and say the following sentence: “oh so you want to be a teacher?” This is then followed by me explaining that I want to go into editing and publishing, NOT teaching.

What happens next is the second look: confusion. Why would someone go into editing and publishing?

Is that even still a business?

Why is she majoring in English when she speaks it perfectly?

I am not majoring in English because I do not know what I want to do with my life. I am majoring it in it because it is what I love.

I love diving deeper into novels and analyzing the symbols and imagery that can be seen within them. I love writing essays. I love everything about the English language.

However, the dissatisfaction and confusion does not only come from those older than me but also my peers.

When asked my major by those around me, I always get the same: “Oh wow, that’s easy.”

Really Jeff, then why aren't you majoring in it? I know for a fact that my major is far from easy.

For starters, I know that I read triple than what you do in your STEM major. You know what else? Just because I do not have “exams,” does not mean I have nothing; I have 300 point essays that can tear your grade apart if not done perfectly.

I am in no way discrediting STEM majors, but I also am not going to glamorize them like everyone else does. They are another major. I respect STEM and also have come to the conclusion that it is not for me.

Another thing: just because you can write an essay, does not mean you could write an English major essay.

Our professors look at every little grammatical error, everything needs to be formatted to the T, and word count/ page length is another story. We don’t play.

So please, continue to tell me you could easily be an English major. I do not act like I know what biology and calculus are all about, and I would love it if you could do the same.

We are unique. We are creative.

Just because you do not see that, does not mean we are not.

So to the English major who is feeling discouraged by all the looks and eye rolls (I have received 2 just this week), stay strong. Remember why you chose this major. Remember what you love about it. Remember the feeling you have when writing a poem or a story, or hey, even an article.

Do not let your creative and unique personality be altered because of those who view the English language differently. I have come to accept the fact that not everyone is going to get it, and that is okay.

I get it. I get me, and I know what I want. And in all honesty, that is all I truly need.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Health and Wellness

Quarantine Checkup Week 10: It's Officially Summer, Even In Quarantine

An Odyssey panel discussion about all things quarantine.

@lilyjmoe

Thanks to coronavirus (COVID-19), most of the United States has gone into its own version of quarantine. While no one loves this new way of life we're adjusting to, it's the necessity that will eventually help us fling open our front doors and frolic freely once again!

Premature thinking? Maybe. But while we're in the midst of this quarantine time, we're chatting about the most terrifying, the funniest, and the weirdest thing that quarantine has forced us into recently.

Keep Reading... Show less
wellness
Lifestyle

13 Father's Day Shirts Under $30 To Gift The Dad Wearing The Same Two Every Day In Quarantine

You've been begging him to change it up, and now he won't have a choice.

@tanner.tolbert

Let's be honest: most of our dads are wearing the same shirts today that they probably wore while changing our diapers and holding our hands as we learned to walk. Sure, we love them for it. But whether you're quarantined with him wearing the same two shirts on rotation every week, or every time you FaceTime him, you know what he'll be wearing before he answers the phone, he needs to add some new items to his wardrobe rotation.

And you know dads — they'll feel guilted into using practically anything you were to give them. But these shirts are sure-fire ways to get him to switch up his wardrobe, and he'll be more than excited to wear each and every one of them. Plus, most of them are under twenty dollars, so no harm in dropping more than a couple in to your cart and letting Dad have his pick of his favorites.

Keep Reading... Show less
fashion
Health and Wellness

I Sat Down (Virtually) With Hollis Tuttle To Talk About Coronavirus's Impact On The Wellness Industry

Just because coronavirus has greatly impacted the wellness industry doesn't mean wellness stops.

Breakthrough Media

If you're anything like me, your weekly fitness classes are a huge part of your routine. They keep me fit, healthy, and sane. Honestly, these classes help my mental health stay in tip-top shape just as much as they help my physical health.

Due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, gyms and fitness studios are facing temporary closure. Yes, this means my personal routine is thrown a curveball, but this also means the wellness industry is one of many that is looking at unemployment and hardship. Do I miss my Monday spin class? Of course. But do the wellness professionals whose worlds were flipped upside down have a lot more to overcome than a slight change of routine? Absolutely. Thankfully, if anyone can prove the ultimate flexibility, it's the wellness industry.

Keep Reading... Show less
fitness
Swoon

My Boyfriend Has Changed Since Quarantine Began, And I Don't Know What To Do

"All he says is 'I love you,' which is great and all but OMG I can't get anything else out of him."

Each week Swoonie B will give her advice on anonymous topics submitted by readers. Want to Ask Swoonie B something related to dating and relationships? Fill out this form here — it's anonymous.

Dear Swoonie B,

My boyfriend and I have been dating for almost a year, which has been the best year of my life (as far as i know). Well we go to different schools and are both very involved in sports and school activities which makes it hard to see each other. During this quarantine it is especially hard. Since we haven't seen each other in over a week things are kind of tense. He won't really talk to me much and I always check in on him to make sure he is doing well and to just see how he is, ya know being a girlfriend. Well apparently that is driving him crazy and I don't understand how. I'm not being controling or clingy, i'm just checking in on him. While this is happening, I also have noticed how he just doesn't really care anymore. I'll leave him paragraphs of sweet love letters to wake up to and I encourage him throughout his day but I just don't get it in return. I love him with all of me and I obviously care about him a lot. Also, I've compared how he talked to me before all of this has happened. He was so sweet and caring, texting me a lot and telling me he loves me and just making sure everything is OK but he doesn't do that anymore. All he says is "I love you," which is great and all but OMG I can't get anything else out of him. He is a little stressed at home with trying to find another job to pay for his car, constantly having to do things for his mom, being responsible for his siblings, and managing school. I know thats a lot but im doing a lot too right now and going through a lot of the same stuff he is but It seems to me he just does not care and i don't know what to do. Please help me or give me some advice on what to say, what not to say, what to do, what not to do. Anything at this point will help. Thank you!

If I had a dollar for every time I heard "these are unprecedented times," I'd be rich. But that's because it's true!

Keep Reading... Show less
dating
Lifestyle

Founders Of Color Q&A: Tower 28's Amy Liu On Building A Sephora-Loved Brand With A Cult Following

She personally responds to every single brand DM.

Tower 28

On paper, Amy Liu appears to be one of the most intimidating women in the beauty business. Not only did she launch her beauty marketing career at legendary Smashbox Cosmetics, she went on to lead luxury, high-end brands like Kate Somerville and Josie Maran — just to name a few.

But sitting down to meet Liu for the first time in an underground New York bar over a year ago felt like meeting a friend I'd known since childhood. As she walked into the bar in a chic red dress, it was impossible not to feel her immediate warm presence. When she talks about her history as an entrepreneur (and truly, at heart, she always was one), you don't get the sense that she's selling you anything, though with her impeccable taste, I'd use anything that had her glowing review attached to it.

Keep Reading... Show less
identities
Lifestyle

8 Sustainable Clothing Brands To Use Your Online Shopping Addiction For Good Right Now

Looking to buy eco-friendly clothes? Here are my top 8 favorite brands.

Pennsylvania State University
@girlfriend

Online shopping has made it easier than ever to buy what you want, anything from clothes to tennis racquets shipped to your doorstep with just a few clicks. Even better, it has made it easier for us to buy from the brands we want. Here is a list of my favorite eco-friendly clothing brands for your next online shopping splurge:

PACT

Keep Reading... Show less
fashion
Lifestyle

4 Things I Learned After Years Of Covering My Acne, And Insecurities, With Makeup

If this is you, you're not alone.

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
@nabela

Acne has plagued my life since my early teens. I thought I'd have clear skin by the time I reached college, but I was wrong. In high school, I became more self-conscious of my skin. It seemed that all the girls had faces like porcelain dolls (or they were really good at makeup). This hurt when relatives mentioned the rough state of my skin. I know they didn't mean harm, but I still stand by "if it can't be fixed in a couple of seconds, don't point it out."

To cover up my insecurities, I started wearing concealer in public. Since college, the amount of breakouts I've had has decreased, and I've even seen a reduction in scarring. I'm slowly building up confidence, and I've managed to go out barefaced during the quarantine (thanks to making face masks the new norm!).

Keep Reading... Show less
beauty
Facebook Comments