I need help about my terrible choice of major

[otc]

Originally Posted by Tck13

Do what you enjoy. If you want to major in English and really enjoy it and want a degree, then do it. If not, then don't. Stop worrying.
+1 An undergraduate degree is not trade school, it exists to make you a better person. Now...I would suggest that you take a few "practical" classes. Calc, Statistics, and intro econ will make you more versatile (and unless you go into some really technical work, those will cover your day to day). Maybe swap one of those out ofor a programming course. Like AB, I know some complete ballers who were history majors once up on a time and I know some current graduates who studied things like classics and are doing quite well now because they are smart, resourceful people who were well aware that they were studying something that they loved and made sure to take a few classes and internships that left them well rounded. If you don't think you are smart or resourceful, maybe you should switch to finance, get a job you hate, and work it until you retire (I never understood all the kids in the econ or finance department who clearly *hated* what they were studying yet refused to listen to the professors who told them "listen, take the intro sequence, take stat, and then go major in something you like") EDIT: not that I am saying finance is where you should aim...it just struck me as odd when I was in school how many people were econ majors (we didn't have finance or business) but had zero actual interest in economics. A lot of them had trouble finding jobs or got some mediocre **** (every interview I had in school always asked why I picked my major...your answer shouldn't be "I dunno...thought it would get me a job"). Also, I would agree that you are going to have a LOT of trouble finding a career in English (just like there are not a lot of jobs in History or Classics or even German or Spanish). However, as I am sure you are aware, most people end up working in a field completely different from what they studied in undergrad. If you aim for an English job with your English degree, it is going to be hard unless you want to teach middle school. If you aim for a non-English job and leverage the value of your undergraduate experience as a whole (classes, internships, connections, etc)...you will be fine.

 

[zerostyle]

Pick -anything- quantitative and you can open up a whole world of possibilities.

Finance
Econ
Engineering ( electrical, computer, materials, chemical, general, civil, etc )
Computer Science
IT / MIS

 

[cretaceous_cretin]

Originally Posted by zerostyle

Pick -anything- quantitative and you can open up a whole world of possibilities.

Finance
Econ
Engineering ( electrical, computer, materials, chemical, general, civil, etc )
Computer Science
IT / MIS

If you take this advice, be good at math, at least for engineering.

 

[mehhhh]

As long as you graduate with a good GPA, your actual degree isn't terribly important. You could graduate with an English degree, get an entry level job, and put yourself through grad school for something that will make you money which you will also enjoy. Maybe journalism or something else involving writing.

 

[xchen]

Originally Posted by Tck13

Do what you enjoy.

If you want to major in English and really enjoy it and want a degree, then do it. If not, then don't.

Stop worrying.

This really just isn't very good advice. While a major isn't everything, there are certain majors that are just dumb.

For example, one of my exes was double majoring in art history and something else that basically would have allowed her to have her old bosses job. When I told her it didn't make sense because there are only a relatively small amount of positions like that in the US she got all mad about it.

Also, my dad majored in Greek/Hebrew and was doing some pretty advanced studies in those subjects in college. He has never ever used any of that knowledge since college, and I'm sure he doesn't still know the language aside from being able to see root-words and such that have bridged over to English.

I'd file majoring in English with both of those.

OP, just major in marketing or something.

 

[AR_Six]

I was an English major and I eat c-notes for breakfast. They taste terrible but life's rough for a balla.

Seriously, I am of two minds about my major. A finance background or business or something would have served me well in my career, which is the centrepiece of my existence at present. But I am good at it anyway, and having an English degree (and not coasting through just for the hell of it as many do) has improved my enjoyment of a lot of the non-career-related aspects of life. On the whole I do not regret it.

 

[Matt]

Originally Posted by mehhhh

As long as you graduate with a good GPA, your actual degree isn't terribly important. You could graduate with an English degree, get an entry level job, and put yourself through grad school for something that will make you money which you will also enjoy. Maybe journalism or something else involving writing.
bad advice sorry. My suggestion for you here - given that, according to your other thread - you don't really have your own life, major path and career goals in line is that you should sort those out first before advising others.

 

[delightindisorder]

+1

I'd also add that the critical skills and writing skills you develop while pursuing an English degree are invaluable in almost any job. You'll also get Garrison Keillor's jokes and join the Professional Organization of English Majors (POET).

"English majors have all the qualities women look for - intelligence, curiosity, a sense of adventure, and excellent punctuation."

 

[Matt]

Originally Posted by delightindisorder

+1 I'd also add that the critical skills and writing skills you develop while pursuing an English degree are invaluable in almost any job. You'll also get Garrison Keillor's jokes and join the Professional Organization of English Majors (POET). "English majors have all the qualities women look for - intelligence, curiosity, a sense of adventure, and excellent punctuation."
what kind of work do you do?

 

[Biscotti]

Why not minor in English? It probably will not add more than 6 credit hours to your overall time in school.

 

[dtmt]

I think we need a "Liberal Arts major" pinned thread, since these threads seem to come up all the time.

 

[delightindisorder]

Matt:

I work for the federal government as a program manager. I write all effing day long.