Decline and fall of the English major

[Anonymous]

^^Plus, this caption from the "story" says it all:

"Jon Salm, who recently graduated from college with an English major and philosophy minor, is looking for a job in data-driven marketing, business intelligence or media analytics."

The kid isn't going for jobs that use the skills he gained in school. If he knew he wanted these kinds of jobs, there were probably way better majors for him. So who's fault is it that he can't find a job in that field? HIS OWN. Has nothing to do with his major. I was an English major and knew I wasn't going into anything heavily "data-driven." Duh. I still managed to build a successful and well-paying professional career based on my strengths, education and interests.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:^^Plus, this caption from the "story" says it all:

"Jon Salm, who recently graduated from college with an English major and philosophy minor, is looking for a job in data-driven marketing, business intelligence or media analytics."

The kid isn't going for jobs that use the skills he gained in school. If he knew he wanted these kinds of jobs, there were probably way better majors for him. So who's fault is it that he can't find a job in that field? HIS OWN. Has nothing to do with his major. I was an English major and knew I wasn't going into anything heavily "data-driven." Duh. I still managed to build a successful and well-paying professional career based on my strengths, education and interests.

So basically, we are to conlcude that the liberal arts are "dead" or en route to a slow "death". What happens to the Williams/Amhersts of the world? Do they go away?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^^Plus, this caption from the "story" says it all:

"Jon Salm, who recently graduated from college with an English major and philosophy minor, is looking for a job in data-driven marketing, business intelligence or media analytics."

The kid isn't going for jobs that use the skills he gained in school. If he knew he wanted these kinds of jobs, there were probably way better majors for him. So who's fault is it that he can't find a job in that field? HIS OWN. Has nothing to do with his major. I was an English major and knew I wasn't going into anything heavily "data-driven." Duh. I still managed to build a successful and well-paying professional career based on my strengths, education and interests.

So basically, we are to conlcude that the liberal arts are "dead" or en route to a slow "death". What happens to the Williams/Amhersts of the world? Do they go away?

Of course that is not what we are to conclude. We are to conclude that kids who think they can simply pick any major, do zero internships or research into possible career fields, and waltz into a job are kidding themselves. THAT is what is over. Just because you major in engineering or business doesn't necessarily qualify you for engineering or sales jobs. If your grades were mediocre and you spent your summers lifeguarding, you're probably not heading for an awesome entry level gig with growth potential after college. If you were an English major who took the time to research careers, apply for and win internships, and bother learning how to relate your educational skills/experience to the field you want to enter, chances are you'll do quite well. You can't wait until graduation to have a plan.

[Anonymous]

WOW..best paying jobs for an 'english' major...http://career-advice.monster.com/salary-benefits/salary-information/best-paying-jobs-english-majors/article.aspx


Most technical related - you might as well of stayed the STEM part and widen your horizon....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The unemployment rate for recent graduates with English literature and language degrees was 9.8 percent, according to the Georgetown data, and median earnings were $31,000

For a job after graduation, major in these, not those

http://www.today.com/money/job-after-graduation-major-these-not-those-6C10112004#job-after-graduation-major-these-not-those-6C10112004

Why is it than whenever these threads come up, someone has to chime into a thoughtful discussion with this kind of crap? Average doesn't mean anything. If you are an "average" anything major you're probably not heading straight to the top. If you are smart and driven, you can succeed regardless of major. But hey, it's easier to think in black and white and top 10 lists, right? Just let junk journalism do your thinking for you.

you sound like an angry old dude....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The unemployment rate for recent graduates with English literature and language degrees was 9.8 percent, according to the Georgetown data, and median earnings were $31,000

For a job after graduation, major in these, not those

http://www.today.com/money/job-after-graduation-major-these-not-those-6C10112004#job-after-graduation-major-these-not-those-6C10112004

Why is it than whenever these threads come up, someone has to chime into a thoughtful discussion with this kind of crap? Average doesn't mean anything. If you are an "average" anything major you're probably not heading straight to the top. If you are smart and driven, you can succeed regardless of major. But hey, it's easier to think in black and white and top 10 lists, right? Just let junk journalism do your thinking for you.

you sound like an angry old dude....

+1 for the angry old dude -- not all English majors are alike, and the long-term success (by any measure) of supply chain management majors has yet to be proven

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^^Plus, this caption from the "story" says it all:

"Jon Salm, who recently graduated from college with an English major and philosophy minor, is looking for a job in data-driven marketing, business intelligence or media analytics."

The kid isn't going for jobs that use the skills he gained in school. If he knew he wanted these kinds of jobs, there were probably way better majors for him. So who's fault is it that he can't find a job in that field? HIS OWN. Has nothing to do with his major. I was an English major and knew I wasn't going into anything heavily "data-driven." Duh. I still managed to build a successful and well-paying professional career based on my strengths, education and interests.

So basically, we are to conlcude that the liberal arts are "dead" or en route to a slow "death". What happens to the Williams/Amhersts of the world? Do they go away?

Of course that is not what we are to conclude. We are to conclude that kids who think they can simply pick any major, do zero internships or research into possible career fields, and waltz into a job are kidding themselves. THAT is what is over. Just because you major in engineering or business doesn't necessarily qualify you for engineering or sales jobs. If your grades were mediocre and you spent your summers lifeguarding, you're probably not heading for an awesome entry level gig with growth potential after college. If you were an English major who took the time to research careers, apply for and win internships, and bother learning how to relate your educational skills/experience to the field you want to enter, chances are you'll do quite well. You can't wait until graduation to have a plan.

I am also an English major. I agree with the post above. If I think about my career trajectory I didn't really know what I wanted to do with my degree. Because I was a decent writer, I fell into different fields and I love that my degree allowed me to explore different types of jobs. I've had jobs in the arts, community development, nonprofit management, public relations, fundraising and now I work for a large consulting firm on a range of health/prevention topics and I love my job. I think what is different now is that kids won't have an opportunity to explore. It seems like kids have to have a clearer idea of what they want to do and what their major might be. I'm so glad to be done with all of that, I wouldn't have made it if I were going to college today.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The unemployment rate for recent graduates with English literature and language degrees was 9.8 percent, according to the Georgetown data, and median earnings were $31,000

For a job after graduation, major in these, not those

http://www.today.com/money/job-after-graduation-major-these-not-those-6C10112004#job-after-graduation-major-these-not-those-6C10112004

Why is it than whenever these threads come up, someone has to chime into a thoughtful discussion with this kind of crap? Average doesn't mean anything. If you are an "average" anything major you're probably not heading straight to the top. If you are smart and driven, you can succeed regardless of major. But hey, it's easier to think in black and white and top 10 lists, right? Just let junk journalism do your thinking for you.

you sound like an angry old dude....

+1 for the angry old dude -- not all English majors are alike, and the long-term success (by any measure) of supply chain management majors has yet to be proven

What are you talking about +1? I am not an old "dude" - I'm a 36 year old woman and a professional who received an English degree. You are actually AGREEING with what I said, do you realize that?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The unemployment rate for recent graduates with English literature and language degrees was 9.8 percent, according to the Georgetown data, and median earnings were $31,000

For a job after graduation, major in these, not those

http://www.today.com/money/job-after-graduation-major-these-not-those-6C10112004#job-after-graduation-major-these-not-those-6C10112004

Why is it than whenever these threads come up, someone has to chime into a thoughtful discussion with this kind of crap? Average doesn't mean anything. If you are an "average" anything major you're probably not heading straight to the top. If you are smart and driven, you can succeed regardless of major. But hey, it's easier to think in black and white and top 10 lists, right? Just let junk journalism do your thinking for you.

you sound like an angry old dude....

+1 for the angry old dude -- not all English majors are alike, and the long-term success (by any measure) of supply chain management majors has yet to be proven

What are you talking about +1? I am not an old "dude" - I'm a 36 year old woman and a professional who received an English degree. You are actually AGREEING with what I said, do you realize that?

Yes, of course I'm agreeing with what you said. You have NO SENSE OF HUMOR, do you realize that? You also USE TOO MANY CAPITAL LETTERS, do you realize that?

I still agree with you, but the PP is right, you do sound like an angry old dude. As an English major, you should certainly know that it's possible to write in a voice that is not actually yours.

[Anonymous]

Useless , just like correcting grammar on an anonymous message board

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^^Plus, this caption from the "story" says it all:

"Jon Salm, who recently graduated from college with an English major and philosophy minor, is looking for a job in data-driven marketing, business intelligence or media analytics."

The kid isn't going for jobs that use the skills he gained in school. If he knew he wanted these kinds of jobs, there were probably way better majors for him. So who's fault is it that he can't find a job in that field? HIS OWN. Has nothing to do with his major. I was an English major and knew I wasn't going into anything heavily "data-driven." Duh. I still managed to build a successful and well-paying professional career based on my strengths, education and interests.

So basically, we are to conlcude that the liberal arts are "dead" or en route to a slow "death". What happens to the Williams/Amhersts of the world? Do they go away?

They will be for trust-fund kids who don't have to worry about earning a living or repaying student debt.

College isn't an "end" anymore. People don't have that luxury. It's the means to an end. I can read critically on my own time. I don't need a Marxist professor to tell me how to do it.

People need real skills.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^^Plus, this caption from the "story" says it all:

"Jon Salm, who recently graduated from college with an English major and philosophy minor, is looking for a job in data-driven marketing, business intelligence or media analytics."

The kid isn't going for jobs that use the skills he gained in school. If he knew he wanted these kinds of jobs, there were probably way better majors for him. So who's fault is it that he can't find a job in that field? HIS OWN. Has nothing to do with his major. I was an English major and knew I wasn't going into anything heavily "data-driven." Duh. I still managed to build a successful and well-paying professional career based on my strengths, education and interests.

So basically, we are to conlcude that the liberal arts are "dead" or en route to a slow "death". What happens to the Williams/Amhersts of the world? Do they go away?

Of course that is not what we are to conclude. We are to conclude that kids who think they can simply pick any major, do zero internships or research into possible career fields, and waltz into a job are kidding themselves. THAT is what is over. Just because you major in engineering or business doesn't necessarily qualify you for engineering or sales jobs. If your grades were mediocre and you spent your summers lifeguarding, you're probably not heading for an awesome entry level gig with growth potential after college. If you were an English major who took the time to research careers, apply for and win internships, and bother learning how to relate your educational skills/experience to the field you want to enter, chances are you'll do quite well. You can't wait until graduation to have a plan.

I am also an English major. I agree with the post above. If I think about my career trajectory I didn't really know what I wanted to do with my degree. Because I was a decent writer, I fell into different fields and I love that my degree allowed me to explore different types of jobs. I've had jobs in the arts, community development, nonprofit management, public relations, fundraising and now I work for a large consulting firm on a range of health/prevention topics and I love my job. I think what is different now is that kids won't have an opportunity to explore. It seems like kids have to have a clearer idea of what they want to do and what their major might be. I'm so glad to be done with all of that, I wouldn't have made it if I were going to college today.

You raise a very good point; the current generation of college students and recent college graduates (including my two sons) heard all through high school that they had to find their passion in order to gain admission to a selective college, then quickly identify a major -- preferably in a STEM field or economics --, and spend their summers doing internships that will lead to a job, preferably in that same business or organization, or, at least, in the field. There's not a lot of room for experimentation or serendipity. Yes, you can still be an English major and find a job -- but you must pursue on-campus activities and summer internships that show you have a career plan, are tech savyy and have some quant skills. And, yes, you are going to be much better off if you are at a marquee-name school. But even looking at the kids who deftly jump through all those hoops, and nail the landing, I worry that we're squeezing the creativity and big-picture perspective out of this generation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^^Plus, this caption from the "story" says it all:

"Jon Salm, who recently graduated from college with an English major and philosophy minor, is looking for a job in data-driven marketing, business intelligence or media analytics."

The kid isn't going for jobs that use the skills he gained in school. If he knew he wanted these kinds of jobs, there were probably way better majors for him. So who's fault is it that he can't find a job in that field? HIS OWN. Has nothing to do with his major. I was an English major and knew I wasn't going into anything heavily "data-driven." Duh. I still managed to build a successful and well-paying professional career based on my strengths, education and interests.

So basically, we are to conlcude that the liberal arts are "dead" or en route to a slow "death". What happens to the Williams/Amhersts of the world? Do they go away?

Of course that is not what we are to conclude. We are to conclude that kids who think they can simply pick any major, do zero internships or research into possible career fields, and waltz into a job are kidding themselves. THAT is what is over. Just because you major in engineering or business doesn't necessarily qualify you for engineering or sales jobs. If your grades were mediocre and you spent your summers lifeguarding, you're probably not heading for an awesome entry level gig with growth potential after college. If you were an English major who took the time to research careers, apply for and win internships, and bother learning how to relate your educational skills/experience to the field you want to enter, chances are you'll do quite well. You can't wait until graduation to have a plan.

IMO, this is the crux of it. I work in higher ed and tell my students constantly that simply attending college -- even a good college -- isn't enough. You need to make a plan early and then determine what steps you need to take to get there. Such an important point that is so frequently overlooked!

[Anonymous]

English major here - I have risen to management in a financial field because I can write fairly well, am conscience about deadlines and can talk to clients without pissing them off. Most of the people under me can do the required math, but can't convey it well in a report, even with a pretty detailed format from which to start.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:English major here - I have risen to management in a financial field because I can write fairly well, am conscience about deadlines and can talk to clients without pissing them off. Most of the people under me can do the required math, but can't convey it well in a report, even with a pretty detailed format from which to start.

Smoke and mirrors you'll be caught soon