WHY AN ENGLISH MAJOR?

 

The University Network

The question becomes, why not become an English Major? To follow up on the last blog post relating to Kean University Undergraduate Open House on Saturday, September 17, 2022, I mentioned how the School of English Studies Department provided essential insight and knowledge about what one can do and why becoming an English major is okay.

As noted in the latest blog post, Maribel’s apprehension about being an English Major interested me. She seemed worried concerning what others stated, convincing her that there was nothing lucrative she could do upon graduation with an English degree. In other words, understandingly, Maribel was unsure how an English degree would benefit her if she did not adhere to “the voices” and follow her dreams as an English Major. The primary trepidation is how anyone could manufacture a lucrative lifestyle with an English degree. Thus, I inspire her and you within this blog post on how one can and will thrive with an English degree. Moreover, we at Kean University School of English Studies concur with CollegeXpress’s ideas listed below relating to what you can do with and why enrolling as an English Major at Kean University is okay.

• Writing and Publishing

According to CollegeXpress, some of the more obvious career fields for English majors are publishing as a writer and editor. For those interested in publishing, you might want to look into working for magazines, newspapers, and book publishers, as well as online-only "magazines" and journals. (Plus, most print publications now encompass online publishing duties too!)

• Education

Suppose you are someone like me who desired to teach from the age of nine; then you would want to use your love for the English language and learning to shape young minds and prepare them for the future as a teacher (my first choice at Kean University)! Many English majors go into careers in education. Jobs available in education include working at public and private schools, colleges and universities, libraries, and even private learning centers.

• Public Relations and Advertising

If you are more interested in public relations and advertising, you might be a part of the significant percentage of English majors who choose those career pathways. If you love both professions, you will be ecstatic to hear they usually go hand in hand. Consider looking into advertising agencies or in-house advertising departments at larger companies for both occupations.

• Law

Law is another field many English majors go into. If you are interested in a career in law, hopefully, you know already that you will also have to go to law school! After that, you can look for jobs at law firms, corporate legal departments, government agencies, and public service agencies. English pairs well with Law because the major teaches you mindfulness and how to read within the context of a document, which is extremely important when developing legal documents and policies.

• Business

Your degree could help in person and virtually any company, such as banks, real estate agencies, and insurance firms, for all English majors with a passion for business. Employers need people who can communicate well, and large and small corporations hire many English majors!

• Medicine

Think medicine and English do not work together? Think again! Plenty of English majors go into careers in medicine and technology. You will certainly need a medical or tech degree for those interested in these careers. Nevertheless, an English undergraduate degree will also enhance your medical school application. If you are considering becoming a doctor, an undergraduate degree in English might be a surprisingly perfect start. With the list of possibilities provided, we hope all (potential) English majors know that you can get the degree you want and get a job in the real world! Plus, you do not have to give up one degree for another. You can double-major or minor in English and business and benefit from both. You can be a neurosurgeon with a passion for literature. Alternatively, you can major in English and teach English or be a writer. There is no wrong answer! So do not give up on being an English major, be encouraged to apply to the School of English Studies and climb higher as an English Major, Minor, or Intern.

We thank you all for the support at the Kean Undergraduate Open House.

Thank you for attending Kean University Undergraduate Open House and stopping by our table. We hope to see you at our next event, "What Can You Do with an English Major?" Thursday, October 20, 2022, from 3:20-4:20 PM. CAS 308.

To learn more about the School of English Studies and remain in constant contact, email english@kean.edu and connect with us on social media at https://www.facebook.com/KeanEnglish, https://twitter.com/KeanEnglish, https://www.instagram.com/keanenglish/, and see you soon. . . 😊