Should I stay with being an English major or switch to a more practical major?

Question

I love to read, and I love to analyze literature. I have AP credit for English Composition 101, and I am going to get credit for English Composition 102 from this liberal arts class I am taking. I don't want to just be a high school English teacher though. I don't know what type of jobs someone can get with an English degree. I'm going to take a literature class next semester. I don't know if I want to take World, British, or American, but I am thinking I'd like to take World. I also don't know how to be motivated enough to not procrastinate. I can get great grades when I just focus and do my work. I'm starting to get lazier though. I'm tired of taking core classes in subjects that I am not interested in. I'm a freshman in my first semester. I had some preperation for college from my high school, but no one really tells you what to do in college. I guess if anyone has any advice to give on any of that, that'd be helpful.

Answer 1

English is plenty practical, it just depends on what sort of work you're open to.

I'm a Biology major with a secondary major in English, which I actually considered to be my "backup" in case I had trouble finding work in the sciences.

As with any field of study, teaching is always an option. That can be angled towards a more general knowledge on lower levels - middle and high school. To teach at the university level, you'll likely need a PhD (the exception being certain positions at junior colleges, etc, but those are limited and not very involved). That's several extra years of school and commitment, but it also provides the best opportunity to continue studying/analyzing what you're interested in the most. As an English professor you'd be expected to not only teach but part of your position would also involve researching a certain author/time period/style of literature that interested you the most.

When it comes to working with literature itself, teaching is the primary option. If you open yourself up to writing though, you'll find a great number of career possibilities. A person who can write well and analytically or technically is an asset in almost any business, corporation, or, well, anywhere. Communication is an essential skill for which people will always be hiring. I'm still pursuing biology myself, but I know that friends in the English department haven't had much trouble finding positions after graduation, and certainly not any more or less than most other areas of study (except for maybe theater - wouldn't really recommend that one.)

If you really want to know more, I'd suggest seeing if your school has a Career Center of some kind. People there would be able to tell you exactly what kind of work other graduates are looking into and getting. Otherwise, you are a freshman yet, and even if it seems like the real world is drawing close, four years is still a long time and there will be a lot of classes between now and then to help you make up your mind. Leave yourself open to other possibilities, and try not to let the career control your decision too much. It's certainly important to find a job later on, but it's more important now to find out what you enjoy. That way, regardless of the difficulties in the work world to come, you'll be more willing to keep going, even if it does get tough.

As far as your motivation is concerned - that's something I think everybody goes through. You get to college, and you feel burnt out from already studying through so many years of school just to get there. It certainly doesn't get any easier as it goes, so use what you have of this first year to really figure out how much effort you're going to need to put into your studies to get the grades you want. One or two low grades at the end of the semester certainly shouldn't be the end of the world, but if you take those too lightly now, it'll be a lot harder to get your study habits back on track later on. Once you get past your gen ed requirements too, hopefully the more specialized classes will be able to get your interests and motivation up. Those are the classes that matter more in the end anyway. Just make sure you find a balance with your social life, your free time, and your study time, and recognize that you'll probably have to make a few sacrifices on all three fronts, but you'll probably be able to manage better in the future because of it.

You've probably been told that college will end up being some of the best years of your life. Make it so. Enjoy yourself, work hard, and when it comes to what's not in the immediate future - keep it in mind, but don't stress out about it, not yet anyway.

(sheesh, that was long. sorry - English major habits. ^^)

Answer 2

If you really like English than I would stay in it. I almost majored in it and didn't at the last second because I didn't think I would be an economic profession, but I regret it now because I loved it so much. If you do stick with it I will give you some advice: 1) Pick up a minor in something else you are interested in, or 2) Get your master's or phd in English. My friend was an English major and got a minor in computer science. He now works for a University as a computer geek making a lot of money. Most English majors are quite intelligent and companies know that. If you don't love it that much then go as undeclared for a year and figure out what you would like to do. It's your first semester, you have plenty of time to play around and find out what you like. Good luck!

Answer 3

80% of college graduates take a job in field outside of the one which they studied. This means that what you study is not as important as how well you did studying it. Major in something that you will work hard at and do your best in. Many companies train their employees for their jobs. A great college transcript establishes the fact that you are trainable.

Graduating in a major in which you could get only modest grades is not going to get you ahead. First of all, jobs directly related to the field are looking for the top graduates. Secondly, any other firm looking at you will see someone who is only marginally trainable at best.

So study what you love. What you can earn top grades in and will show off your strengths.

Answer 4

Remember that there's particularly no method to marketplace a psychology measure at any degree as opposed to a PhD. If you desire to be a psychologist or train realize that you're watching at 4 years of graduate university and potentially an internship. But, I realize a tender woman that has a four.zero undergraduate grade factor with a essential in sporting events management adding internships within the athletic director's workplace at a university recognized for NCAA crew championships who determined to visit dental university after receiving her BS. She needed to move to university for 2 extra years and summers to take specifications for dental university. She is out and in now and doing a pediatric residency. Between all her coaching it has taken her 10 years of university to get her DDS and she or he had 2 extra to head. So, if you're pushed do it. If no longer, abandon the concept, now.

Answer 5

All that is well and good, but someday you might actually need a "JOB". English majors need to teach or work at McDonald's. "Would you like fries with that shake?"