Considering An English Major? 10 Perks And Opportunities That Await

Most people consider majoring in a language degree a waste of time and money. They mistakenly believe that English majors can only work as teachers. Others think that there are no jobs for people with degrees in English.

There are several myths about a skill gap among English majors. So, people prefer to enroll in technical courses such as electrical engineering or molecular biology. People assume that English students only study old classics, such as Shakespeare or Melville. However, that is not true. Sometimes, students may squander a golden opportunity for a promising career. Nonetheless, graduates have to be careful how they approach a degree in English and the potential it holds.

If you’re considering pursuing one, you have plenty of options at your disposal. On-campus education may provide an interactive environment that favors a degree in English. Yet, it may also be heavy on the pocket. Fortunately, some universities offer flexible options in the form of online degrees. In today’s tech-savvy learning environment, these options also seem to be the more favorable choice. So, students enrolling in an English degree online can work part-time to pay for their necessities and avoid needless student debt.

That said, there are numerous perks to enrolling in an English major. English majors also have several career opportunities because English is a broad field. Let’s begin by looking at the benefits of an English major.

Benefits:

While English courses do focus on old prose, that is not all they teach. Most degree programs also improve critical thinking skills and develop the problem-solving abilities of the students. They improve profiles of future employees by focusing on in-demand skills. Some perks include:

1. Become a better reader: Some people are readers, and others are writers – both types of people have an enduring love for prose and poetry. Bibliophiles can enroll in English majors to develop insight into great literary works. A well-written sentence is like a perfect melody for bibliophiles. Students who choose this subject as their major can understand and experience complex human emotions through written work. Most programs offer diverse literature from different cultures, which helps students widen their perspectives.

2. Improved language skills: The world always needs impressive writers. Students with an English major can write the correct word in the right place to move the masses. Training in writing skills also helps students develop their critical thinking and analytical skills. English majors can turn an underwhelming piece of writing into a masterpiece with minimum effort. Whether they work as lyricists, novelists, or scriptwriters, English majors are persuasive writers. And good writing is a crucial skill that any professional can use.

3. Learning how to navigate the world: English is a global language. It is the official language of the United Nations. More than 85 percent of countries have English as an official language. Therefore, English majors can thrive in a multinational environment. Their invaluable communication skills put them at the top in a multicultural community, especially in regions where it is not the first spoken language by the majority.

4. Understanding minority opinions: English programs include courses with literature from minority groups. Therefore, students can understand complex issues within society. Through literature, students hear the voices and opinions of under-represented groups of society. Learners can also appreciate the ideas and technologies from other cultures.

5. Appreciating our history: English is not only about storylines or plots. Most books offer a peek into the complex history of the world. English majors read historical works from every corner of the world. From Gilgamesh to JK Rowling, English degrees span literature for thousands of years. Therefore, Students learn how human identity and prose develop by circumstances and symbology.

Career Opportunities:

English majors have a varied skill set. Not only are they gifted communicators, but they also have excellent analytical skills. Therefore, there is always a high demand for English graduates. A surprising number of Fortune 500 company CEOs have degrees in English. So, there are several opportunities for English majors. These include, but are not limited to:

6. Journalism: English majors are well suited to a career in journalism. The ever-expanding industry needs people with excellent writing skills. English majors have similar skills as reporters. Like reporters, English students have to construct a story from different sources. They also have to write persuasive essays on endurance and compassion. So, English majors have the critical thinking, writing, and analytical skills precious for a journalist.

7. Information Technology: Gone are the days of print marketing and billboards. Twenty-first-century advertising is all about digital marketing and online optimization. Tech-savvy English major grads can work in the information technology sector as technical composers or online publishers. English language degrees help students sharpen their writing and composing skills for an online workplace.

8. Law: Lawyers must have first-class communication skills. They have to analyze statutes, precedents, and complex maxims to protect the interests of their clients. Usually, these skills require hours of practice. But, English major students have a lot of experience with complex philosophical literature. Students can work as paralegal or legal secretaries with an undergraduate degree in English. However, students have to go to law school to sit for the bar exam if they wish to become lawyers. English students can also minor in Criminal Justice or criminology to round up their background for law school.

9. Human Resources: HR personnel has to write several memos, notifications, and emails every day. So, companies need people with excellent communication skills. Sometimes HR executives have to navigate complicated and sensitive issues within the workplace. They are in charge of anti-harassment and anti-bullying programs. Therefore, they must develop strong empathy skills. English language courses offer interdisciplinary areas of study to prepare students for a role within the HR sector.

10. Public Service: with a background in English education, people can work in the public sectors as community aides or congressional representatives. They have highly developed communication skills and the ability to analyze complex data. English degrees include courses on discourse analysis and critical race theory. So, graduates can contextualize complex issues in political contexts. However, a career in politics can also be competitive. Graduates must boost their employability through work placement opportunities.

A degree in English is valuable as employers prefer graduates with soft skills. It develops core skills that are relevant in several fields. Therefore, an English degree can adapt to any career. Students with a major in English develop into well-rounded individuals. They are insightful, charismatic, and engaging. They also have leadership qualities that are well suited to a career in the digital age.

Conclusion

There are several reasons to opt for an English major. You might like to read or want to become a writer or a teacher. However, an English degree offers diverse career opportunities to students. Learners develop valuable skills which apply to several industries. But, every course has its benefits and disadvantages. No major is more valuable than another. So, it is vital to have a winning attitude instead of stressing over choosing the right major. Anything is possible with hard work, motivation, perseverance, and determination.