Would you support your child in pursuing a degree in English Literature?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Of course. It was one of the most popular majors at my top three SLAC in the 90's, and my major. I had no trouble with law school admissions and am doing just fine. My English major classmates are now in consulting, law, academia, PR, marketing, publishing, writing, high levels of government, etc.

And now those top three LACs are filled with Math/CS/Econ students and the humanities are no where to be found...

[Anonymous]

I was an English lit major and have a great career as a writer/editor, largely with a major international consulting company. Lif isn’t interested in it, but I’d have no issue if they were.

[Anonymous]

^ Lif = kid. Wth, phone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Unlike others, I think it is a ridiculous, useless waste of time. Why not just read a book if you're that interested?

DC will be majoring in STEM like a smart child does.

The fact that you reduced the major to "read[ing] a book" is quite revealing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Unlike others, I think it is a ridiculous, useless waste of time. Why not just read a book if you're that interested?

DC will be majoring in STEM like a smart child does.

The fact that you reduced the major to "read[ing] a book" is quite revealing.

Would you not conclude that English isn't a major of reading books and then reading them slowly? I think the English curriculums would like to be updated on this news.

[Anonymous]

Spoken like someone who's never taken a college literature class of any kind.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's a great major. There are few better ways to spend four years for both mind and soul. And anyone who can both think and communicate is employable.

+1000

Some of the most successful adults I know are former English majors

I would support English if I wished for my child to develop their capacity to think critically, write thoughtfully and communicate effectively. Oh, and gain empathy.

[Anonymous]

She starts this Fall.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Unlike others, I think it is a ridiculous, useless waste of time. Why not just read a book if you're that interested?

DC will be majoring in STEM like a smart child does.

If you're going to criticize it, you should at least understand it. Reading "a book" isn't the same as studying English any more than "using a computer" is the same as studying CS.

One major benefit to being an English major is the heightened ability to accept and navigate nuance. One minor benefit is that you're less likely to sound like a cretin in an online forum.

[Anonymous]

Absolutely!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Spoken like someone who's never taken a college literature class of any kind.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I told my kids that they can major in whatever they like. As long as they know what the job options will be and understand the financial implications.

+1

We pay for 4-5 years of undergrad. You need to understand what lifestyle you will be able to support with your major and live within your means. So if English lit is your choice that is awesome. But know it may take you a few years to get a decent job that pays well. Know it might be difficult to find that job without meaningful internships. So perhaps think of a strong minor or 2nd major (hence the 5 year allowance), that would make it easier. So maybe data analytics or a business minor. In 10 years you can easily be making as much as a STEM major, but you will have to work harder to get there. The jobs don't just fall into your lap. You have to market yourself and gain the skills for whatever job you want.

[Anonymous]

Only if they plan to teach and get a phd.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I told my kids that they can major in whatever they like. As long as they know what the job options will be and understand the financial implications.

+1

We pay for 4-5 years of undergrad. You need to understand what lifestyle you will be able to support with your major and live within your means. So if English lit is your choice that is awesome. But know it may take you a few years to get a decent job that pays well. Know it might be difficult to find that job without meaningful internships. So perhaps think of a strong minor or 2nd major (hence the 5 year allowance), that would make it easier. So maybe data analytics or a business minor. In 10 years you can easily be making as much as a STEM major, but you will have to work harder to get there. The jobs don't just fall into your lap. You have to market yourself and gain the skills for whatever job you want.

The most important part of any major is the internship. CS majors with no internships have terrible employment histories.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I told my kids that they can major in whatever they like. As long as they know what the job options will be and understand the financial implications.

+1

We pay for 4-5 years of undergrad. You need to understand what lifestyle you will be able to support with your major and live within your means. So if English lit is your choice that is awesome. But know it may take you a few years to get a decent job that pays well. Know it might be difficult to find that job without meaningful internships. So perhaps think of a strong minor or 2nd major (hence the 5 year allowance), that would make it easier. So maybe data analytics or a business minor. In 10 years you can easily be making as much as a STEM major, but you will have to work harder to get there. The jobs don't just fall into your lap. You have to market yourself and gain the skills for whatever job you want.

The most important part of any major is the internship. CS majors with no internships have terrible employment histories.

True but normally a CS/Engineering major without an internship will still get on a good path within a year or so. An English lit major must work hard to find internships, many of which are "volunteer without pay" or extremely low pay. So hard to do if you need your kid to actually work in the summer to earn money for the next year of college payments.

Fact is there are simply less jobs listings that state "looking for an English lit major", so you have to be prepared ot market yourself and be creative about the job search. Do that and you will go far.