Major in English

compmom
Wed, 16 Mar 2011 08:01:44 +0000

I don’t think that college major should be so closely tied to future career, at least, for many people (the exception being the more vocational majors, such as engineering). With a degree in English, you can go to any grad school, including medical or law school. Your skills in writing, reading, analysis and communicating will apply to many jobs.

I think that volunteering, interning and working in various positions in various fields is the most helpful way to approach choosing a job, regardless of major.

Young people are taught to view the job market in neat categories, and that is misleading. The job market is more complicated and more varied than that, and your life path may involve some wandering at first. Most people have to do some entry level jobs as well.

Many non-profits need good writers, and fundraising, grant-writing, newsletters, or donor letters all require good writing. But that is just one of so many options out there.

Study what you love to study, and things will work out in the end. As freshman, you are doing what you should be doing: exploring your interests.