Yes, I am. And there’s a very good reason I am.
When I was applying to colleges, the only thing I was sure about was that I wanted to be an English major. And it’s not just because I love it, but because the major gives me useful skills that would help me succeed in any industry.
Employers always look for potential candidates that know how to think critically and analytically, have the ability to communicate effectively, have a strong skill in writing, and are compassionate and empathetic. These are all traits that someone with an English major has.
When people hear that I’m an English major, they usually follow up by asking: “What do you want to do for a career?” They always assume I will become a teacher, which wouldn’t be a bad option. But they are forgetting about so many careers that an English major can get you.
Some include a magazine or newspaper journalist, editor, literary agent, web content manager, technical writer, an author, a public relations manager, a librarian, a translator (if you can speak another language), and more. It can even be the setting stone for a job as a lawyer or an advertising manager.
Here’s a very motivating quote a found from a Psychology Today article: “Because your major, while significant, isn’t the final determinant of your career. You are. You decide what field you want to work in, what interests you want to pursue, what challenges you want to face. And your major, if you stop and think about it, will help you get there”
If you want a job in marketing, and your major is english, don’t let that stop you from applying. Tell the employer why your degree makes you the right fit for the job and why you should have it. Your degree is only what you make it and what you can gain from it.
