(The Beacon)
By Corey Fawcett, Guest Commentary -- The Beacon
I would be nonplussed to find an English major who hasn't experienced some degree of apprehension when asked by a stranger what he or she is studying.
Although there is a rare person who reacts to your answer with pleasant admiration, one of two responses can almost always be expected: "Oh, so you're going to teach?" Or "Why the hell would you study that?" Sometimes people are a little nicer about it. Sometimes.
I'm tired of feeling like I have to explain why I'm studying English. Not only do people make it obvious they think I'll never make a substantial living for myself with an English degree (unless I'm a teacher), but they also seem to have trouble fathoming I'll be able to make a tangible contribution to society (unless I'm a teacher).
Let's get this straight: the English major fosters very useful, "real world" skills – critical thinking, the ability to develop a well-formed argument, research conduction, public speaking and of course, clear and effective writing. I've read time and time again the ability to write is currently the number one skill young American job applicants lack. This country needs English majors!
Because these skills are considered integral to a wide variety of professions, college graduates with English degrees have career options. Lots of career options.
Aside from being famous novelists, we can work for non-profit organizations and in many areas of business. We can be editors, publishers, journalists and lawyers. We are prime candidates for volunteer programs like the Peace Corps and the Jesuit Volunteer Corps. And yes, we can be teachers – an awesome career I'm considering, but one that can be pushed down our throats by people who don't know of the multitude of other opportunities an English degree can offer.
Not only does our major give us many places to go after graduation, but it also has the power to change the way we relate to, and interact with, the world around us. The diversity of texts we read in and out of the classroom results in a rich knowledge of American and European history, and encourages deeper cultural awareness.
In her novel "Reading Lolita in Tehran," Azar Nafisi writes, "A great novel heightens your senses and sensitivity to the complexities of life and individuals, and prevents you from the self-righteousness that sees morality in fixed formulas about good and evil."
As Nafisi suggests, the democratic nature of engaging in and analyzing literature cultivates empathy, understanding and humility. Are these not useful, "real world" skills, too?
Corey Fawcett is a sophomore English major. She can be contacted at fawcett13@up.edu.
Famous English majors:
Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas
Head of the EPA Carol Browner
Barbara Walters
Steven Spielberg
Conan O'Brien
Stephen King
