You wouldn’t believe some of the reactions I get when I tell people I majored in English. I deeply value what I learned while I was in school, but the million dollar question everyone seems to ask is: Was it really all that useful? Shouldn’t you have gone for a degree in a STEM major?
The Path May Not Be Clear
There are certain degrees that lend themselves more naturally to specific careers. For example, if someone majors in engineering, more often than not, their classroom learning translates directly to skills an actual engineer would put to use in the field. On the other hand, the career options for an English major may not be as clear. This factor may give some people pause.
I learned numerous valuable skills while I was studying literature. I learned to craft a strong argument, convey my thoughts thoughtfully and clearly and analyze ideas and problems critically. Honestly, reading, writing and communicating ideas are all crucial skills to have no matter what career you choose to pursue.
Choose Your Own Adventure
If you think you’d like learning about a breadth of subject areas, studying literature could be the way to go. While also cultivating many important skills, like the ones above, many English degrees include reading and studying diverse media on many different subjects. After all, understanding the past truly is crucial to understanding the future.
So what does one do with an English degree? The options are plenty, which can feel both liberating and overwhelming. The real question is: What do you want to do?
Whatever your answer, there’s a chance that an English degree can help get you there. The jobs and career paths some people pursue after graduating with an English degree include communications, technical writing, editing, marketing, and more.
Really, with an English degree, the adventure ahead is yours to choose. An English degree opens up so many options that it can seem both an exciting and intimidating choice, but the best part i, unlike degrees that lock down your choices in English, the choices are more yours than anyone else’s.
~Here’s to Your Success!
