For prospective English majors, earning a degree in this classical area of study can feel like a bit of a risk. After all, it seems that many of the best jobs go to college graduates who have earned degrees in areas of professional study. The Liberal Arts may not seem like a safe place to spend your college years. Fortunately, if English is your passion, there are some ways to maximize your degree so that you are in touch with the working world throughout college. There's no reason why English majors can't gain the skills they need to find employment after graduation.
If you think an English degree is not relevant to the real world, think again. Sure, you'll study literary figures that have been dead for hundreds of years, but you'll also touch on the role of contemporary literature today. You can tailor your coursework to your specific interests if you take the time to study the course catalog. For example, do you want to have a career in journalism? Taking somewhat less traditional English courses such as Film History and Contemporary Literature will allow you to pick up the cultural references you need to inform your work.
Application Development
Many English departments have publications, such as a literary journal, which provide an outlet for students to showcase their talents but also develop professional skills. If you want to work in publishing, as many English majors do, working on your college's literary journal will teach you the ins and outs of publishing on a smaller scale. You'll also develop editorial skills by getting involved in a department publication.
You'll even have the chance to develop your leadership skills by getting involved with your English department. Help to organize a cultural event, or serve as the president of an organization for English majors. Keep in mind that English majors don't always have to use their degrees for literary pursuits. By showing leadership initiative, you can prepare for a career in business or a similar field.
Ultimately, it is up to you as a student to find your niche or, better yet, search for an area of need in the working world and get started fulfilling it. For example, are you noticing that the world of publishing is going electronic? Try learning as much about the e-book market as you can while earning your English degree. You can even suggest that your department literary magazine go digital!
Why not combine elements of a Communications major with your English degree? Often, a Communications degree teaches great practical skills but fails to provide students with a cultural context for their work in the field of Communications. Similarly, English majors feel that they are intellectually stimulated but that their degree programs lack practical skills. Minoring in Communications is often a recommended step for English majors.
Having a career advisor is valuable in any degree program, but especially if you are having trouble determining what you want to do with your English degree. Your advisor at school should be able to help you pinpoint your career-related interests and talents so that you can put your degree to better use.
An English Degree Is A Very Applicable Program That Can Be Utilized In Today's World
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