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

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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

This was before AI - it's easy to be a good writer these days. I would worry about this major - maybe double major in math or business or econ or something to have a few hard skills.

This is a great way to say you know nothing about AI.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am a English literature major who makes more than many engineers and others in STEM fields. My husband studied philosophy and is also paid well above those in STEM. Tech professionals get laid off all the time. Some of you all need to get out more and learn about what is actually going on in the economy.

+100

[Anonymous]

Of course. She starts this fall. She's an adult and gets to choose her own major.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My English major sister just cracked $300k in salary with no graduate degree. So.

Writing and critical thinking skills will take your far.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am a English literature major who makes more than many engineers and others in STEM fields. My husband studied philosophy and is also paid well above those in STEM. Tech professionals get laid off all the time. Some of you all need to get out more and learn about what is actually going on in the economy.

lol sure thing troll

I don’t see anything trollish about that post. I’m a Lit major. I breezed my way into the grad program of my choice, and then landed a great job out of college because I’m a strong writer and communicator. I’ve gone through a couple of job search cycles, and each time I’ve received interviews and offers.

Don’t underestimate the value of strong writing and communication skills.

[Anonymous]

My sister is a physician who majored in English Lit.

[Anonymous]

My DH is an English Lit major and cleared $700K last year.

[Anonymous]

My parents did!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:[img]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, I’d support that. I realize I cannot control my children indefinitely and they are independent people with their own interests and passions. Will I provide input and advice? Yes. Will I withhold support just because of their chosen college major? No.

Once they are independent of my money then they get to indulge their interests and passions independently of my wishes.

So until then they are your puppets to control? And what college majors exactly do you deem worthy? Nice relationship!

I don’t control them. They are free to choose whatever they want. And I am free to choose whether or not to pay for it.

Fortunately I raised sensible kids who will not major in anything as idiotic as English Literature.

English major here. I gasped and clutched my ever-present pearls after I read your cruel words regarding my beloved major.

It has served me well. Every company needs a writer, a proofreader, an articulate communicator and able researcher. Hire me and you get the total package.

I have written and edited government proposals, grants and contracts, complied corporate histories from archival collections, conducted subject interviews, been the face and voice of leadership during a crisis, written speeches and submitted detailed, persuasive reports to enact immediate change.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:[img]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, I’d support that. I realize I cannot control my children indefinitely and they are independent people with their own interests and passions. Will I provide input and advice? Yes. Will I withhold support just because of their chosen college major? No.

Once they are independent of my money then they get to indulge their interests and passions independently of my wishes.

So until then they are your puppets to control? And what college majors exactly do you deem worthy? Nice relationship!

I don’t control them. They are free to choose whatever they want. And I am free to choose whether or not to pay for it.

Fortunately I raised sensible kids who will not major in anything as idiotic as English Literature.

English major here. I gasped and clutched my ever-present pearls after I read your cruel words regarding my beloved major.

It has served me well. Every company needs a writer, a proofreader, an articulate communicator and able researcher. Hire me and you get the total package.

I have written and edited government proposals, grants and contracts, complied corporate histories from archival collections, conducted subject interviews, been the face and voice of leadership during a crisis, written speeches and submitted detailed, persuasive reports to enact immediate change.

Ug this sounds so boring and DRY. I'm also an English major and avoided this stuff for the more creative. You don't need an English degree for these speeches and reports, you could equally have taken History or Politics etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:[img]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, I’d support that. I realize I cannot control my children indefinitely and they are independent people with their own interests and passions. Will I provide input and advice? Yes. Will I withhold support just because of their chosen college major? No.

Once they are independent of my money then they get to indulge their interests and passions independently of my wishes.

So until then they are your puppets to control? And what college majors exactly do you deem worthy? Nice relationship!

I don’t control them. They are free to choose whatever they want. And I am free to choose whether or not to pay for it.

Fortunately I raised sensible kids who will not major in anything as idiotic as English Literature.

English major here. I gasped and clutched my ever-present pearls after I read your cruel words regarding my beloved major.

It has served me well. Every company needs a writer, a proofreader, an articulate communicator and able researcher. Hire me and you get the total package.

I have written and edited government proposals, grants and contracts, complied corporate histories from archival collections, conducted subject interviews, been the face and voice of leadership during a crisis, written speeches and submitted detailed, persuasive reports to enact immediate change.

Ug this sounds so boring and DRY. I'm also an English major and avoided this stuff for the more creative. You don't need an English degree for these speeches and reports, you could equally have taken History or Politics etc.

Most jobs are pretty boring and dry...especially if they make money.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think there used to be a glut of English majors. Now I think there aren't. I think having evidence that you can read extensively, interpret nuance and write a critical argument is going to be more and more valued. Acquire a few timely job market skills for the moment/ career interests and a good English major will do fine.

Agreed. Conversely, CS is becoming an overcrowded field.

[Anonymous]

Here's the real salary outcome by the US Department of Education.

Harvard English = $64,155
https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?166027-Harvard-University&fos_code=2301&fos_credential=3

Compare it to
Boston College Finance = $135,373
Northeastern CS = $149,127

This is 6 year out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am a English literature major who makes more than many engineers and others in STEM fields. My husband studied philosophy and is also paid well above those in STEM. Tech professionals get laid off all the time. Some of you all need to get out more and learn about what is actually going on in the economy.

You realize you can’t win the anecdote game, right?

The actual richest people on the planet are all STEM (Zuckerberg, Bezos, Musk, Gates, Ellison, Jensen/Nvidia) or finance (Buffet).

Even Bernard Arnault who is currently the richest and runs luxury retail brands has an engineering degree.

[Anonymous]

I’m an English major in my early 40s making over $500k annually in a job I love. The early years were hard and the pay was low. But I hit $200k around a decade in, and I never had to pay for graduate school. I want my kids to pursue a degree that engages them. And, frankly, nothing prepared me better for the treachery of the corporate world than reading novels!