Is An English Degree Worth the Risk?
If you've ever considered getting an English degree, I am certain you have heard the same phrase repeated over and over: "What's your backup plan?" Because of this, getting a degree in English can feel like an incredible risk that's not worth your time. Well, as someone who is less than a month away from receiving this degree, I have a lot to say about the highs and lows and the particulars of the experience. If you're at all interested, give this post a read. You might be surprised at what you learn.
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The Course Work
One of the number one things English majors say online is this: It's a lot of reading. And, believe me, they are not exaggerating. There is an incredible, almost impossible amount of reading that goes along with this degree. So much reading that if you even think you'll have time to read for fun, you are just kidding yourself. The reading itself is good though, and it teaches you writing techniques that you wouldn't learn elsewhere. But yeah, literature classes are a lot of work.
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The classes that I really enjoy are the writing ones, though. After going through this degree, I am a firm believer that no one can make it through the coursework required in this major without coming out a better writer. I've learned things that I couldn't possibly have imagined. And you know what? It's impossible to know where your knowledge gaps are. A creative writing degree is the perfect place to not only find them but to fix them. Do you want to be a successful author someday? A creative writing degree is the first and most important step.
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The Opportunities
An important thing to remember about this degree (and college in general) is that you only get out of it as much as you put in. If you make it through the coursework and get the degree, congratulations! That is extraordinarily difficult work. But how will you stand out? Plenty of people get this degree, but what did you do that others didn't?
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Internships are your friend. Almost every college has a literature journal and a newspaper, which are both great places to dive in and get experience. If you manage to also rise in the ranks, those can look fantastic on a resume. However, I find you stand out more if you get opportunities that other people don't have. For example, last summer I applied to a ton of internships, and I ended up getting one at a local publishing company. It was a small press, but it still made for impressive experience. I didn't stop there, however. When my school was looking for two interns to help but a literature conference (one that only our school held), I jumped at the opportunity. Not only was this an experience that other students didn't have, but it was one I could only obtain at my school. Take advantage of those.
Final Advice
There will be professors that you hate, and sometimes they will completely ruin something for you. I have a professor who has made me despise an entire genre, and I think that's a terrible shame. So, use rate my professor and listen. to. your. peers. A convenient time slot is not worth your mental stability. Don't put yourself in a situation where, because of a singular professor, you're seriously considering dropping out!
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Another big piece of advice I have is to take advantage of your senior project class. It may seem like just another box you need to check off, but this course can set you on a solid career path. During my senior projects class, I explored editorial internships. Without the course, I wouldn't have applied to any. Now, before I've even graduated, I have another internship lined up for the summer all because of this one class.
The Career Paths
One thing a lot of people won't tell you is that employers have actually started head-hunting English majors. Why? We know how to write! And corporations need writers. They need people to make ad copy and create training materials. They need people who know how to reach an audience. So, rather than just being a writer or an editor, English majors have a variety of careers in front of them. Some cool ones I've heard about include human resources managers, lawyers, matchmakers, professional organizers, librarians, teachers, and the list goes on. An English degree won't prevent you from getting a job. There are opportunities out there waiting for you!
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Is It Worth It?
So, is the degree worth it? I think so. I learned a lot, and I definitely came out of the program a better writer than I was at the beginning. In fact, before this program, I had never gotten to the editing phase of a novel. I would just write and rewrite until I cried. Now, a full draft of my novel is in the hands of beta readers. Without this degree, that never would have happened. Even so, the future is a scary place. So am I sure it was worth the risk? Honestly, ask me again in a year.
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