Major in English if you want
November 16th, 2007 | by
mbhunter |
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While I was perusing the different iGoogle financial gadgets I ran across a Tip of the Day gadget. There were two comments, and one was not complimentary at all (emphasis mine):
For the most part, these are some of the worst “Financial Tips” I have read. I am removing this gadget after today’s tip “Don’t major in English”. It goes on to say that English majors don’t make much, and how the highest salaries are from engineering majors. That might be true, but I doubt someone who loves English, literature, writing, or anything along that line is going to enjoy being an engineer of any sort. I’m sorry, but if you don’t enjoy your line of work, you likely won’t have a job for long (thus making these financial tips even more worthless) or you’ll wish you had shot yourself rather than majoring in something you don’t care about. This isn’t the only bad tip I’ve seen on here, but it’s the last one I’m going to see and I hope other viewers will save their time and iGoogle page space and not suffer through them. Do what you’re passionate about, and the wealth will take care of itself. [...]
It is true that jobs within some majors will pay more out of the gate, on average, than jobs within other majors, and English is probably one of those low-paying choices (CNN Money article). But to extend this statistic to a statement like “Don’t major in English” is a bit narrow-minded, especially if you did major in English and are doing just fine, thank you very much. While I also don’t think that “wealth will take care of itself” if you do what you’re passionate about, there is a higher chance of succeeding in that field if you really can’t wait to go to it each morning.
So there’s nothing wrong with majoring in English. Or physics. Or biology, sociology, civil engineering, or anything else. Nor is there anything wrong with majoring in nothing and starting a business or apprenticing yourself.
What might lead to regret, though, is choosing any of the above without doing a cost-benefit analysis and without clarifying what your #1 goal is. If your reason for choosing English as a major is to teach Chaucer to college students in New England, that’s fine, but knowing that the odds for actually being able to do this and make a decent living at it are heavily stacked against you, even after several more years of school. If your reason for choosing English is because you like it and expect that you’ll do well enough to get your foot in the door with a business that emphasizes a lot of written communication, that’s also fine, and it might be a good investment. If, instead, your reason for choosing English is to hone your skills in writing sales copy, that’s fine too, but you might find out that you could have learned everything by apprenticing with a master copywriter and been every bit as successful without the college degree.
Some other cost-benefit analyses that are definitely worth going through:
- Choosing one major vs. another
- Going on to get a master’s degree or beyond vs. taking a job and learning more there
- Choosing a two-year degree vs. a four year degree
- Choosing a state school (with less debt) vs. a private school (with more debt)
- Taking a year off (to gain experience, pay down debt) vs. plowing through (to get it done earlier but with more debt)
- Choosing to take fewer credits per year (or risk a lower GPA) in order to build up a side business
These decisions, and others, will help to clarify whether a particular path is worth it or not, but what does “worth it or not” mean? If you know you have your answer to this question and you know that it’s the right answer for you, then making all of the other decisions is a lot easier. But if you haven’t asked yourself what you really want in life, then the decisions you make may or may not lead you to success. You’ll end up somewhere, but it may not be where you want.
So if you really want to be an English teacher, and if you have a good handle on the big pluses/minuses that come with being an English teacher and you’re still OK with that, then by all means major in English! You’re going into it with your eyes open. But if something important is lacking in this scenario, then think twice about it or take a different road.
Advice is almost never one-size-fits-all, and certainly choosing a major is not one-size-fits-all. But there certainly are better choices for us individually, and it’s up to us to figure them out for ourselves.
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24 Responses to “Major in English if you want”
By Jerry on Nov 16, 2007 | Reply
I majored in music and I’m doing just fine, thank you. I did what I loved and while I’m not in music full time, the time I do spend in it is fulfilling and makes me a happier person which leads to a more productive work life. Regardless of your major, it’s not insurance you’ll be a billionaire. Be smart about your money and choices and make judicious decisions about where to go in life. One other thing, don’t be afraid to dream big. You’ve got nothing to lose by dreaming big.
Jerry
http://www.leads4insurance.com
By mbhunter on Nov 16, 2007 | Reply
I agree 100%. I’m a musician as well. (I didn’t major in music, but I spent about as much time in rehearsal as I did in class.)
By Mrs. Micah on Nov 16, 2007 | Reply
I majored in English. I’m not as sure why I did going in, but coming out I was very glad to have better business writing skills. Plus, I’m potentially interested in being a librarian someday. And while English is a common major for librarians (i.e. doesn’t give me an edge), it’s also useful.
By The Saving Freak on Nov 16, 2007 | Reply
I don’t think the problem is majoring in any one specific area. The problem many times is overpaying for that education. Certain degrees make a significant amount more if you go to the right school while others (English, psychology) do not make significantly more. So why go to private school and rack up a ton of debt to be making the same as someone who went to a state school? This is where the bad decision comes in with the majors that do not pay well out of the gate.
By Money Blue Book on Nov 16, 2007 | Reply
Well, it’s always important to keep in mind that certain fields are simply more versatile than others. Having that degree gives you an immediate authoritative stamp of approval for future prospects.
But most of the things I’ve learned in life have been after college and graduate school. It’s always important to diversify your skill sets.
-Raymond
By Jerry on Nov 16, 2007 | Reply
Hi Saving Freak,
I do agree with you somewhat. I went to a state school so I’m certainly happy with my education however, the perception is that the major private schools provide an overall better quality of education. I don’t know if there’s been a study done but I would venture to say there are a lot more millionaires (billionaires, probably) who graduated from Harvard then say, Fitchburg State. But, if you are that motivated kind of person who’s going to succeed no matter what and the program is there for you at Fitchburg State, then dag gum you go there. As I said earlier, nothing is insurance you’ll be that raging success but chances are if you’re dogged and focused you’ll make it happen just like all those Harvard grads (and it won’t appear that it’s been handed to you on a silver platter). A liberal arts state school education can lead you down a path you might not expect. I will say, though, that my Harvard graduated friends (I went to grad school in Boston) have had an easier go of it.
Jerry
http://www.leads4insurance.com
By Gavin on Nov 16, 2007 | Reply
As an English major (Creative Writing) myself, I absolutely agree with you. And for someone who had to find their own way, I became a TV Producer (I’m the Executive Producer of Attack of the Show on G4)and I’ve done pretty well. Also, just because you major in English doesn’t mean you have to be an English teacher. It’s a broad liberal arts education in the very best way.
I think a huge part of college is finding yourself and determining exactly what you think you might want to be. In that vein, I was able to really explore lots of ideas that I might not have been able to had I been a business major or a Engineer or whatever. However, lots of people out there might be better served exploring ideas in those areas. It’s really up to you.
Follow your passions and interests and good stuff will follow. My GPA in college was significantly higher than HS because I was engaged and fascinated by the ideas around me. That feeling is ultimately what you should pursue.
By Martha on Nov 17, 2007 | Reply
The problem here is that it’s assumed that all you can do with an English major is teach English. Most English majors actually go on to other jobs. An degree in English is a liberal arts degree, and thus not comparable with a more vocational degree like engineering. But the most important thing is this: apart from very specific vocational programs like nursing or pre-med, no one ever asks you what your major was. The only thing that matters about your college degree, if anything does, is that you need a high g.p.a to get into grad school, and equally importantly, to get scholarships for grad school. So if you want to get into law school, it’s better to be a happy English major, and thus probably an English major with a high g.p.a., than a mediocre major in something you dislike. I’m an advisor for university students, and the head of our law school told me that they actively look out for people who major in unusual subjects like Classics, because they know they’re self-motivated students who aren’t just coasting through hoping their major will get them an easy job.
By Anne Keckler on Nov 18, 2007 | Reply
With my oldest daughter in college now, I’ve been doing a lot of thinking on this very subject. I chose not to go to college, myself. I considered it a waste of my time and money. But it might be different for her, depending on why she wants to go.
The way I see it, the biggest value from college is the degree (which helps you to get your foot in the door of a career) and the contacts you make.
The actual knowledge you get at college could probably be had for much less expense in other ways. Self-education and apprenticeship are great ways to improve your knowledge and skills in things such as writing, music, and theatre, for example.
While I’m a big advocate of doing what you love, college itself should be looked upon as an investment. It is going to cost you a lot of time and money to get that degree, so it makes sense to get a degree that will pay back the largest return on your investment possible. Otherwise, you might as well find a less expensive way to pursue your dream, if that’s possible.
As a sidenote, I think it’s sad that so many employers now place such a high value on that piece of paper over other forms of learning.
By Christine in Baltimore on Nov 18, 2007 | Reply
I have the best job/career ever, in my opinion. I returned to school in my 30s and majored in English. I loved school and that field so much that I knew I had to be in an academic setting for the rest of my life.
I got the MA in English and then finally–at age 49–got a doctorate. I have never regretted one moment of this journey.
I teach at a college and run its honors program.
I have autonomy, can wear comfortable clothing, have long vacations throughout the year, love my colleagues, believe in what I do, can’t wait to get to school three days a week (work from home the other two), am surrounded by books and interesting people, and have enough money.
Money has its price, I think!
I have found my life extremely satisfying.
By guinness416 on Nov 18, 2007 | Reply
I agree that there’s no one size fits all advice but have a bit of an issue with the specific “English major” example. Aren’t you asking these cost-benefit analyses of 17 year old kids? When I was deciding what to do in college I wasn’t an innocent lamb, I had a bartending job and had travelled internationally and was a sharp kid, but I basically had very little concept of what college life was like, let alone working life. There are no university fees in my country, but the notion that choices I made at 17 would impact my finances at 30 was entirely beyond me. If I was deciding whether to go back to college now, I could work through your examples, but I question whether even the smartest teenager could do it properly.
By KM in Illinois on Nov 18, 2007 | Reply
Very inspiring, Christine in Baltimore! I bet one of the many reasons that you are successful is that you are passionate about what you do–that attracts people.
Teenagers and college students considering a major should think about this: There will always be a group of people for whom making lots of money is the number-one priority and who will choose a career based on that criterion. When lots of people pursue a few super-high-paying jobs, the money paid for those jobs decreases, because demand for the jobs is higher. So you may end up in a job you dislike making less than you thought you would. Is it worth it to spend 40, 50, 60, or more hours per week doing something you don’t really enjoy?
By Steve W on Nov 18, 2007 | Reply
I majored in English and am “doing just fine, thank you very much.” Also have an MA in Literature and was All But Dissertation for a Phd in Rhetoric when I switched careers. Today I’m a Storage & Disaster Recovery Architect for a multinational data services company. How I got from there to here is a long story, but I wouldn’t trade my education in literature for a degree in business or computer science. At this point in my technical career, my liberal arts education is a significant advantage, and is helping me to separate from the pack who have extensive education in business & technology (I’ve had to educate myself thoroughly on those topics as well, mostly self- or training-class taught).
By Kris on Nov 18, 2007 | Reply
Why choose? I was a double major: Chemistry and English. Now my career is in the science field, but the abilities to write well and clearly communicate my ideas are skills I use everyday.
By ryan on Nov 18, 2007 | Reply
I double majored in English and Philosophy from a mid-western state uni. Upon graduation I spent 5-months looking for decent employment. I ended up working for 911 and dispatching police, fire, and EMS. It’s a hell of a job, too much stress for too little pay (the rate of attrition is outrageous). However, I can honestly say that when it comes time to quit and move on to something higher paying that I’ll be ready. I’ve helped coordinate police traffic pursuits and set up perimeters when they bailed. I’ve been on the other side of the radio when PD was shot at. I’ve been on scene when PD was shot at (ride along). I’ve been in a short traffic pursuit (ride along). I’ve ridden with EMS and been kissed on the cheek by someone’s diabetic grandmother. I’ve taken shooting calls, cuttings, armed robberies, domestic disturbances, fatality accidents. I’ve only had the job for 2 years (and plan on quitting soon).
The pay isn’t great (however, I did make average for someone with a liberal arts degree — I can’t complain). But the memories and experience will pay off for the rest of my life. I’ve saved tons of money (living at home, so bring on the jokes) and plan on following up on a life long goal of learning another language. I plan on moving to China for 2 years to study Mandarin, hopefully returning to the States and enrolling in business school.
The point is… do what you’re interested in. See where life takes you. Develop your interests and skills. Don’t pick a degree in ______ just because you saw on a list that the newly grad makes $55-60k per year in that field (unless engineering/business/mis is your passion, then go right ahead). Is making $33k a year really that bad?
By M on Nov 18, 2007 | Reply
I got my first real technology job, Tech Coordinator at a private school, over 10 years ago specifically because I was an English teacher who knew a lot about technology. I decided to major in English in college because I wanted to learn how to read and write well. These are fundamental skills that every working professional — no, every person — should learn regardless of his/her job tasks. I’ve worked for years in corporations and it seems to me a lot of people I work with would benefit from more English coursework in college.
M
By brooklynchick on Nov 19, 2007 | Reply
I majored in Women’s Studies (even less practical than English), I had a job as soon as I graduated, and 10 years out of college I make more than $100K doing a job I love (and I work about 50 hours/wk). Advice about what to major in is for the birds! Get good grades and work during college, and you’ll be all set!
By kitty on Nov 19, 2007 | Reply
“I decided to major in English in college because I wanted to learn how to read and write well.”
Shouldn’t one learn how to read and write well in school? Seems strange to me that you need to major in something just to get these basic skills.
I grew up in Russia, and by the time I finished school I could read and write very well in Russian. Final exams at all schools included oral and written language/literature test based on a standardized program that included Tolstoy’s “War and Peace” that we read in 9th grade, along with Dostoyevsky’s “Crime and Punishment”. Written exam involved writing a 5 page paper written in class on a literary topic. Three grammar errors and you failed. A missed/extra punctuation mark counted as half an error. The paper was graded on both content and grammar, so you couldn’t get away with keeping to simple sentences or you’d get penalized for content or style.
I think in most European countries kids learn how to read and write in the native language in school. People who major in a native language do it to become writers or journalists, not to learn basic skills.
As to the major, I think it depends. It’s OK to major in what you like as long as you know what to expect, and have some aptitude. Some people succeed with degrees in English (which in the US is a lot more practical than some other fields, like French Literature or Philosophy or history or Political Science or Art), others end up unemployed with tons of student loans and working for a minimum wage. Additionally some people seriously overestimate their abilities in their chosen field.
I’ve seen a pianist with a specialty and interest in opera accompaniment succeeding - she works now at the Met. I know an English major - daughter of a friend of mine - whose short story won a place in 2007 O’Henry collection and whose first book of short stories is coming out next year. I’ve also met a talented opera singer who graduated from Mannes but went back to college to learn Computer Science. This opera singer was good, but with a sick mother and no money she just couldn’t afford to travel to competitions that could give her visibility. Still, I think if you have a really great talent and passion you owe it to yourself to try it, at least until certain age. With an average talent, you can still study what you like, but you need to have an idea about what kind of job you can get and be happy with it.
Engineering and Computer Science require some aptitude too. You have to be good in math, you have to be able to think logically. Not everyone can do it.
Dual major is a pretty good idea, if you can swing it. I had major in Computer Science and minor in Italian literature. Was pretty close to getting a second major in Italian but opted to graduate sooner and go to graduate school in CS instead. If I had a great voice, I’d have loved to be an opera singer, but I don’t.
By LC on Nov 20, 2007 | Reply
I high school, I excelled at and enjoyed both English and music. I was the best in my class in both of these areas, and my teachers in strongly encouraged me to pursue careers in these areas. However, I felt that doing so would prevent me from enjoying them as much. I also did well in science and math classes, but I was far from the best student in these classes. I ended up choosing a career in engineering, and I am making a good living at something I really enjoy. I still play in several community music groups as well as on my own, and I find that many of my friends who majored in music are struggling to get by and have lost the ability to play just for the fun of it. So, assuming you have interests and aptitute in several areas, I would pick the one that offers the best salary and do the others for fun. A higher salary will allow you to retire earlier, and then pursue the other fields with more passion, which is what I plan to do.
By mbhunter on Nov 21, 2007 | Reply
Thanks everyone for sharing your stories and comments!
Anne Keckler: Yes, I agree that one can get the knowledge more cheaply and more efficiently: Buy textbooks and read them! The contacts are indeed a big component of a college education and I didn’t take advantage of that with mine.
guinness416: Good point. Even if a 17-year-old did “do the math” and figured out that college would be a waste of time, I suspect that his parents might disagree anyway. As difficult as it might be, thinking about the consequences/prospects of a particular major early on helps, especially if the 17-year-old will be carrying the debt for the college.
Regarding the connection between majoring in English and writing well: I would hope that English majors at a minimum would be great writers; I think they deserve more credit than just being able to write well, like the ability to communicate effectively and the ability to synthesize information from varied sources. Writing as a skill should be taught earlier than college, but the skills that English majors learn go beyond this, for sure.
By Tomas on Nov 21, 2007 | Reply
I don’t want to be cranky, but you people seem completely out of touch with reality. The average college graduate earns $29,000 more each year than the average high school graduate. The idea that not going to college can, on average, be a better choice than going to college, is thus perhaps the worst financial advice one could offer. As for choice of major, outside of the hard sciences and engineering, where one learns concrete skills with direct application, the choice of major matters, at most, at the margin. What matters most is doing well; and doing well requires you to study what you find most interesting. In short, go to college if you can; it will result in $900,00 more income over a 30 year work life. Major in what interests you and do well.
By James Owens on Jan 30, 2008 | Reply
I majored in english, I am not going to say it was worthless or a waste of time, but I think every english major should consider two things. Either you are going to law school or you are going to be a teacher. The degree by itself-will not, will not I repeat help you find a job. No employer cares that you have a degree in English. It prepares you for nothing in particular and you will end up going to either get a teaching degree or a law degree. If you want to break into another field get an internship while you are still attending school and schedule classes around it. It is going to be a lot harder to work an unpaid internship after you graduate unless you live at home or something.
By
Jerrold (Who am I?) on Jul 28, 2008 | Reply
I got an English degree because I had all of my dreams crushed in college (doing an engineering degree, passing calculus, etc) due to depression and social anxiety. I failed calculus so then I couldn’t get a business degree without passing Calc and I thought that would never happen. So I got a worthless degree just to get a piece of paper and get out of the university that was driving me crazy. Not only did I get a worthless degree, but it was in a subject I had no interest in. I am genuinely surprised the college suicide rate isn’t higher than it is.
By
Donna (Who am I?) on Aug 16, 2008 | Reply
I majored in English because I was required to dual major in order to get my teaching degree. I was pleasantly surprised, enjoying it enough to go back for my English MA in Literature. I am worried that it could dead end me if ever I change fields, but it seems the MA is in demand where the BA isn’t. Since I’m attending a prestigious public school, a 10K increase in salary the first year after graduation will pay off the degree quite quickly. If I loved dry reading, I would go to law school.