You probably came to read this because you’re passionate about Literature and books. But, the thought of majoring in English doesn’t appear to you. Right? Well, it’s time for you to stop wallowing in doubt because, by the end of this blog, you’ll be ready to study English as a major.
It’s common for parents or other culturally influenced people to push first-year college students into pursuing STEM degrees, believing that these skills are critical in our economy. Despite all the changes in business and education, the skills that come with an English degree are beyond anticipated. Studying English helps analyze and explore some of life’s most outstanding questions and helps young people gain the skills required to soar.
Furthermore, it is absurd to confine an English graduate to fixing grammatical mistakes and reading narratives. Because Literature has provided generations of up-and-coming intellects with the knowledge of eras combined, so yes – there is nothing you can’t do!
On the other hand, if you’re still on the fence about studying English as a major, the following list of benefits will help you come to a decision.
1. You Can Become A Good Writer
To be a good writer, you need to be a reasonable observer. You must have the ability to take mental notes and know how to notice all the subtle changes around them. A degree in English can help you achieve all of that, with bonuses.
More often than not, students who choose to study English as a major probably already love writing. Since many companies are looking for good writers, English majors will have this skill locked and loaded in the bag. That said, if you’re already a writer but looking for a spring in your step, majoring in English will help you cultivate your art. Today, expanding your education is not as tricky as a few years ago, thanks to virtual learning. Hence, you can now apply for an English degree online and make the most out of your writing career.
2. Great Wanderlust Potential
If you wish to combine a love for travel with a passion for teaching, an English degree will allow you to make a living while traveling worldwide.
You can teach ESL to students from all around the world. And since English is one of the most in-demand languages, you’ll have no problem whatsoever finding programs that require your stellar English skills.
3. English is the Jack-Of-All-Trades
By going through a variety of Literature from numerous authors, you gain a better perspective of how the world works. You also learn about various subjects under a single degree: religion, science, politics, history, business, art, and everything in-between. With this kaleidoscopic view of the world, you will have all the tools necessary to contribute to various fields.
4. You Don’t Have To Spend All Your Time Reading
One of the brilliant things about studying Literature is how much it interconnects with other subjects.
For instance, English essays can include analyzing texts concerning philosophy, history, sociology, politics, language, and more. There is also the opportunity to consider how English interacts with other art forms, including dance, film, music, visual arts, and architecture.
Numerous courses even offer modules in Theatre, Visual Arts, or Film Studies. Therefore, when you’re searching Literature courses, look out for where the subject might interconnect with other things you are interested in!
5. The Chance to Gain Practical Communication Skills
Much like the surge of mobile apps and social media, the nature of communications is continuously growing. For this reason, many tech companies are taking English majors’ expertise in communications seriously. Companies are recruiting English graduates to consult on staying on top of the trends that benefit their business.
Major tech companies like Google and government agencies like the NSA are becoming keener towards those holding English degrees. Why? Because they hope to use their written and oral communication skills to review current aspects of technology and predict future developments.
6. It’s Not Always About “The Classics”
Although you’re highly unlikely to get through an English degree without studying many courses
You are highly unlikely to get through an English degree without studying Mr. John Milton or William Shakespeare. However, many courses offer a lot of flexibility regarding which texts and authors you can learn. There is often scope to study modern plays, poetry, and novels as well as “the classics.”
In recent years, most university English departments have been working hard to expand the curriculum to include various playwrights from different backgrounds. Many of these include authors of color and female authors. In addition, you can now study foreign texts in translation and contemporary texts, and global Literature.
7. Increased Creativity
Most of the English literature curriculum is based on studying other people’s works, not creating your own. However, specific departments allow you to write prose and poetry and closely analyze some of the greatest works of Literature. Hence, when you’re surrounded by creativity every day, you are bound to soak some of it up yourself.
8. It Will Unlock a Series of Career Openings
If there’s ever an old wives’ tale, it’s that a degree in English will only lead to a teaching job. That is false. English Literature is the most varied and broad degree. Although there’s nothing wrong with being a teacher, it does appear to limit your options. But what most people don’t know is that English is one of the ‘typical and sought-after’ subjects like Mathematics that will always appeal to companies because of the transferable skills you acquire.
Hence, start dreaming of a career in publishing, marketing, journalism, law, or even PR, because they are all yours for the taking.
Conclusion
In summary, studying English as a major is thought-provoking, intriguing, and leads to several unique, varied careers. And if you’re not ready to select a subject based on your passion, who will get the higher reward at the end of the degree? The person who struggled through college or the person who put their heart and soul into it? Obviously, the latter. So, apply for a bachelor’s in English now and attain the chance to develop the aptitude and critical lens to analyze works by William Shakespeare, Alfred Tennyson, and more.
In the end, you’ll be happy that you made the right call by studying what you were fervent about.