English majors receive tremendous flack for their ambiguous, hard skills-lacking, thought-provoking academic choices. We are told we will never be prepared for the workforce, we might as well become teachers, and our peers will probably see us in drive-thru windows while we hand their coffee and frappes to them through their swank car windows. While they button their shirts to their jugulars, recite scrawled messages from clients to their uninterested bosses, and slave away for hours for companies who only care about whether or not they make enough money for their overflowing pockets, English majors find careers they not only enjoy, but in which they also receive praise and adoration for their precise work. People ask, “What can you do with an English degree?” I ask, “What can't I do with an English degree?” The options are limitless. Not only are they limitless, but English majors do not possess any attachments to one specific occupational field. We spend four years honing our skills in writing, analytical thinking, communications, and perfecting core attributes crucial to any given work environment rather than honing our skills for distinct vocational trades. Once I have an English and Creative Writing degree, I can pursue great ambitions to attend law school, dabble in the world of editing and publishing, or even aid authors as a literary agent in getting their work published. While I cannot attend medical school or other related specialities, I do not fret because I do not have any interest in pursuing those fields anyway. With my degree, I can create a colorful resume and life. When I become frail and less agile, I can reminisce on times when I worked in a field because I not only loved it, but because I was also successful. If you ever raise a child who chooses to pursue a major in English or in a related field, please do not fret. It is not a crisis, nor will this person reach a time when options diminish for future careers. A major in English is for those who choose not to limit themselves. Instead, a major in English is for those who choose to believe they can not only explore the world and all of its possibilities, but they can also change the world with the help of the written word.
6 Comments
Kara Harris
7/3/2016 01:17:53 pm
I can seriously relate to this blog post. There is a lot of parents (including mine) that really wary about their children getting to English or any of the arts because it is not tied to a single job. Of course some may have a certain job in mind that has to do with English, but there are others that could like you said be linked to so many jobs. They think if you want to get a certain degree there has to be a job tied in to it, so can have a stable life with a good source of money coming to you. But what is the point of that when you don’t even like said job? English along with the other arts have so many opportunities that can be placed anywhere, from law to business to education. So it is like you said it opens up so many possibilities, but also have a chance to change the world.
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Lauren Cross
7/6/2016 09:58:44 am
I'm really glad you related to it, Kara! I've had a lot of family members who give me a puzzled look when I tell them I'm majoring in English so I can definitely feel the pain.
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Rachel Wright-Marquez
7/4/2016 02:09:51 pm
*snaps*
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Lauren Cross
7/6/2016 10:02:05 am
I've never been called a sweet flower before, but I really like it. Thank you for the comment, though! It's always on my mind because poor English majors get shoved to the side while others who major in Nursing or Physics or Education are the center of discussion during holiday dinners. I just want to scream, "We will become successful, people!"
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Lauren! Great job! You should include links to some of these articles. We collect them on our "Life after Ball State" page. http://cms.bsu.edu/academics/collegesanddepartments/english/lifeafterbsu/english-majors-and-the-job-market
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Lauren Cross
7/6/2016 09:59:33 am
Thank you so much, Cathy!
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AuthorLauren is a Ball State University alumna with a Bachelor's degree in English and a concentration in Creative Writing. She enjoys breakfast for dinner with a side of literary enjoyment. Archives
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