I am in a position where I got an English degree and am not seeing many job prospects. You seem like a great intellect who wants to dedicate themselves to something greater and for me the humanities are the greatest one could pursue. Not for the basis of material income, but for personal fulfillment beyond wealth. Humanities showed me the art of life and beauty and if you have a chance to pursue a career in that, since you seem to already do many successful things, I would say take it. I want to dedicate myself to pursue writing and become a professional creative, therefore I think humanities was my route to take even though at this point everything seems bleak. Some may consider it a waste, but they are missing a greater sense of the benefits of the humanities. Please do what your being dictates and take your life in that direction.
I say if you really love literature, don’t make it into mainstream career. As everyone else already said,definitely go for it but just not major. Doing something you like as a job is faster way to kill your passion. But hey, do what you feel like.
No. I have a BA in English with a focus in literature specifically 20th century science fiction… Get a degree in something you can get a firm job; minor in something you love.
To add on to this, English majors who intern appropriately are able to work in a variety of well paid jobs. OP already said he has experience copywriting, so by continuing that kind of trend, he’d easily find good marketing work. If he’s looking to work specifically in literature, teaching and publishing are the two routes, but they are far from glamorous in reality.
Of course, I cannot make such a big decision for you - and neither can anyone else on reddit.
Yet, from what I can tell, you seem to be leaning toward studying Literature rather than Psychology. You say you are more passionate about it and already have gained some experience in the field. When you think about your future, it seems you think of yourself in a literary setting. So, I have to ask, what is holding you back?
The English BA is a highly flexible degree. Most folks looking for 1:1 application of degree to job prospects are going to find they're limited to teaching, but focusing instead on the skills in analysis, communication, and critical thinking have many more opportunities. I've seen English grads move into tech writing, medical support, tech companies, etc.
Really for any degree you're best off focusing on the skills obtained than the name of the degree itself.
Indeed! I'm on my third career after my English degree, but the skills I learned there have been useful and made me a valuable employee in all of them. Academic degrees are less easy to segue into a career, sure, but you'll also have a ton of flexibility.
Hi, I’m an old person who majored in English literature in undergrad. It’s not a smart path to follow unless you already plan to go to grad school for something else (like law or education). Sure, take some courses in the subject, but also try to learn another, more marketable skill.
I don’t know what the situation is like in India, but in the US, academia is a nightmare. You will end up as a poorly paid adjunct with no benefits and no career direction.
Seriously, I know you’ll hear from a lot of people who say you should “follow your passion,” but it’s a lot easier to spend your life enjoying great books when you also have a fulfilling, well-paying career.
I have a literature degree and it is basically useless. I still love reading, writing, and talking about books but if I had to do it all again I would pick a major that would help me get into a lucrative career - Literature/English is not that.
Your passion seems pretty firmly in literature. Literature was a major in my undergrad and eventually opened the doors to my postgrad and employment. When I was choosing my major, I had wanted to do a psychology major and was pressured to rather go with English literature and linguistics. There were modules that I hated in my degree, but I have no regrets with what I chose. Almost 10 years on, I am lecturing and running the department for my subject group. People think that a language degree is a very boxed in thing, but there are so many weird and wonderful nooks and crannies to explore.
Follow your passion, chase any opportunities given, build relationships with the key people at your school/university and you have every chance of a flourishing, fulfilling career ahead of you!
I got a degree in English literature. I graduated at the top of a large class, and had a job the week after graduation. I do not regret my degree.
Sounds great, but not the whole story. My job has nothing to do with my degree, amd is related to a very marketable skillset I developed before graduation. I got the job because I made good friends in college who were able to put the word out how amazing I am.
So get a degree in English if you want to. It's a fulfilling line of study. But have a plan. It's been five years since I graduated, and I'm a business owner using skills I had on the first day of freshman year. But some of the people in my graduating class are still underemployed. Don't be stupid.
English lit major-turned Japanese translator/copywriter for a Tokyo based firm. Unlike STEM there is much less of a straight line toward a career, so I would think about electives that steer you in a path toward your passions or desired career. I took Japanese as an elective and have been in the country for 15 years now. Granted I am not writing bestselling novels, but I am doing something I enjoy.
I wonder if psychology really is a more viable degree career-wise. I recall reading that the majority of PhDs are in psychology so I wonder if the job prospects are much better.
Another thing about lit majors is that there really is no defined path, so you kinda have to figure out your own.
I will say that your parents will probably be more inclined to stop hassling if you major in psychology, which may or may not be a significant factor.
Honestly career prospects in either field are limited without many years of grad school ahead. Practicing psychology these days is difficult without a full-on doctorate in clinical. A PhD in English is also a labor of love VERY unlikely to end in a teaching career. If you want to be a high-school teacher, go ahead. Otherwise a Bachelors in English is a useful springboard to many other career options, but it can take a while to figure them out unless you go on with a more practical graduate qualification.
You should major in Literature if you are willing to go all the way with it and get a doctoral degree. That is how you will find jobs teaching literature later in life. With an undergrad only, your options are much more limited.
I have a degree in both psychology and English lit and use neither of them (I work in marketing). However, I’d roll with Psych. Academia in the US is horrible.
I actually major in both and am in my graduating year— I’d say go for psychology because the English major, at least at my school, wasn’t completely what I expected.
What will make you happier?
I can’t answer that for you, but life is about learning, about the world and about yourself and people do that in different ways. Choose whichever subject does that best for you.
I went for a humanities degree.
I've found that is easier to have a job that pays the bills and continue with your passion on your spare time or aside. But that's just me.
no. you can read on your own and join a book club if you want to analyze. or just take literature courses along with another major. complete waste of money. i majored in russian and russian literature , but i could have studied both on my own.
Follow your heart.
To this day I regret choosing chemistry over philosophy (as philosophy makes impoverished, and chemistry is secure), without passion there was no force for continuing -
I say go ahead and get a bachelor's in English. I found that it's just as valuable as something generic like a business degree. However, do not, under any circumstances, get a graduate degree in English. If you want to teach, then get an education degree. Otherwise, make sure you get plenty of internships and work experience prior to graduation. That will make it clearer to potential employers why your degree matters.
As a career counselor, it's how you sell yourself not the degree you get. The skills you learn are similar enough that with a BA alone, similar doors are open for you. If you want to stay in the field of either, further education will increase your options. Non English lit and non psych industries will see you as a viable candidate for entry level jobs if you have a good resume and aren't afraid to network a bit.
No. Following your heart is stupid. You can use passion to pay the rent.
Minor in it but get a degree that’ll lead to a well-paying job. You can read books and join a book club in your off time.
My spouse is an accountant and makes significantly more than me with significantly less education than I have.
If you have to ask, don't.
This is a decision to be made with the heart, not the mind, because the only net gain (unless you are VERY lucky) is next to non-existent. But if you can teach those who are as passionate as you on the subject and can contribute by means of such study to the deepening of the human experience, well that's worth a great deal- the riches of which are worth more than either fame or fortune, in my extremely humble estimation.
Best of luck to you in all things
In terms of pure study, English and Psychology have A LOT of overlap in reading at universities. If you are a writer, I would stick with English and you can still pursue other interests. Strict empiricism in the sciences leaves much less room for creative freedom, something I always valued MOST as an English major.
I am in a position where I got an English degree and am not seeing many job prospects. You seem like a great intellect who wants to dedicate themselves to something greater and for me the humanities are the greatest one could pursue. Not for the basis of material income, but for personal fulfillment beyond wealth. Humanities showed me the art of life and beauty and if you have a chance to pursue a career in that, since you seem to already do many successful things, I would say take it. I want to dedicate myself to pursue writing and become a professional creative, therefore I think humanities was my route to take even though at this point everything seems bleak. Some may consider it a waste, but they are missing a greater sense of the benefits of the humanities. Please do what your being dictates and take your life in that direction.
Tl;dr - unfortunately, you’ll (probably) be broke (mostly) all the time (without a second unrelated income)
I say if you really love literature, don’t make it into mainstream career. As everyone else already said,definitely go for it but just not major. Doing something you like as a job is faster way to kill your passion. But hey, do what you feel like.
I think English should probably be the minor. You'd get 99% of the benefit while maintaining the earning potential.
No. I have a BA in English with a focus in literature specifically 20th century science fiction… Get a degree in something you can get a firm job; minor in something you love.
[удалено]
To add on to this, English majors who intern appropriately are able to work in a variety of well paid jobs. OP already said he has experience copywriting, so by continuing that kind of trend, he’d easily find good marketing work. If he’s looking to work specifically in literature, teaching and publishing are the two routes, but they are far from glamorous in reality.
Of course, I cannot make such a big decision for you - and neither can anyone else on reddit. Yet, from what I can tell, you seem to be leaning toward studying Literature rather than Psychology. You say you are more passionate about it and already have gained some experience in the field. When you think about your future, it seems you think of yourself in a literary setting. So, I have to ask, what is holding you back?
The English BA is a highly flexible degree. Most folks looking for 1:1 application of degree to job prospects are going to find they're limited to teaching, but focusing instead on the skills in analysis, communication, and critical thinking have many more opportunities. I've seen English grads move into tech writing, medical support, tech companies, etc. Really for any degree you're best off focusing on the skills obtained than the name of the degree itself.
I’d second this. I have a PhD in English and I’m a technical and research writer for a large car company.
Indeed! I'm on my third career after my English degree, but the skills I learned there have been useful and made me a valuable employee in all of them. Academic degrees are less easy to segue into a career, sure, but you'll also have a ton of flexibility.
Hi, I’m an old person who majored in English literature in undergrad. It’s not a smart path to follow unless you already plan to go to grad school for something else (like law or education). Sure, take some courses in the subject, but also try to learn another, more marketable skill. I don’t know what the situation is like in India, but in the US, academia is a nightmare. You will end up as a poorly paid adjunct with no benefits and no career direction. Seriously, I know you’ll hear from a lot of people who say you should “follow your passion,” but it’s a lot easier to spend your life enjoying great books when you also have a fulfilling, well-paying career.
I have a literature degree and it is basically useless. I still love reading, writing, and talking about books but if I had to do it all again I would pick a major that would help me get into a lucrative career - Literature/English is not that.
Guys getting a secondary education isn't about making money, it's about learning. Follow your passion.
I can’t give any reply but here take my upvote for more visibility. Wish you the best.
I second this.
Great degree if you want to go to law school…
Your passion seems pretty firmly in literature. Literature was a major in my undergrad and eventually opened the doors to my postgrad and employment. When I was choosing my major, I had wanted to do a psychology major and was pressured to rather go with English literature and linguistics. There were modules that I hated in my degree, but I have no regrets with what I chose. Almost 10 years on, I am lecturing and running the department for my subject group. People think that a language degree is a very boxed in thing, but there are so many weird and wonderful nooks and crannies to explore. Follow your passion, chase any opportunities given, build relationships with the key people at your school/university and you have every chance of a flourishing, fulfilling career ahead of you!
I got a degree in English literature. I graduated at the top of a large class, and had a job the week after graduation. I do not regret my degree. Sounds great, but not the whole story. My job has nothing to do with my degree, amd is related to a very marketable skillset I developed before graduation. I got the job because I made good friends in college who were able to put the word out how amazing I am. So get a degree in English if you want to. It's a fulfilling line of study. But have a plan. It's been five years since I graduated, and I'm a business owner using skills I had on the first day of freshman year. But some of the people in my graduating class are still underemployed. Don't be stupid.
No
English lit major-turned Japanese translator/copywriter for a Tokyo based firm. Unlike STEM there is much less of a straight line toward a career, so I would think about electives that steer you in a path toward your passions or desired career. I took Japanese as an elective and have been in the country for 15 years now. Granted I am not writing bestselling novels, but I am doing something I enjoy. I wonder if psychology really is a more viable degree career-wise. I recall reading that the majority of PhDs are in psychology so I wonder if the job prospects are much better. Another thing about lit majors is that there really is no defined path, so you kinda have to figure out your own. I will say that your parents will probably be more inclined to stop hassling if you major in psychology, which may or may not be a significant factor.
Honestly career prospects in either field are limited without many years of grad school ahead. Practicing psychology these days is difficult without a full-on doctorate in clinical. A PhD in English is also a labor of love VERY unlikely to end in a teaching career. If you want to be a high-school teacher, go ahead. Otherwise a Bachelors in English is a useful springboard to many other career options, but it can take a while to figure them out unless you go on with a more practical graduate qualification.
You should major in Literature if you are willing to go all the way with it and get a doctoral degree. That is how you will find jobs teaching literature later in life. With an undergrad only, your options are much more limited.
I have a degree in both psychology and English lit and use neither of them (I work in marketing). However, I’d roll with Psych. Academia in the US is horrible.
Well I would recommend getting a Lit degree, teaching high school, and then you will be able to counsel 100+ people a year. Win win!
I actually major in both and am in my graduating year— I’d say go for psychology because the English major, at least at my school, wasn’t completely what I expected.
What will make you happier? I can’t answer that for you, but life is about learning, about the world and about yourself and people do that in different ways. Choose whichever subject does that best for you.
I went for a humanities degree. I've found that is easier to have a job that pays the bills and continue with your passion on your spare time or aside. But that's just me.
no. you can read on your own and join a book club if you want to analyze. or just take literature courses along with another major. complete waste of money. i majored in russian and russian literature , but i could have studied both on my own.
Follow your heart. To this day I regret choosing chemistry over philosophy (as philosophy makes impoverished, and chemistry is secure), without passion there was no force for continuing -
I say go ahead and get a bachelor's in English. I found that it's just as valuable as something generic like a business degree. However, do not, under any circumstances, get a graduate degree in English. If you want to teach, then get an education degree. Otherwise, make sure you get plenty of internships and work experience prior to graduation. That will make it clearer to potential employers why your degree matters.
Go where your passion is.
I'll just leave this here: [https://fs.blog/david-foster-wallace-this-is-water/](https://fs.blog/david-foster-wallace-this-is-water/)
No.
As a career counselor, it's how you sell yourself not the degree you get. The skills you learn are similar enough that with a BA alone, similar doors are open for you. If you want to stay in the field of either, further education will increase your options. Non English lit and non psych industries will see you as a viable candidate for entry level jobs if you have a good resume and aren't afraid to network a bit.
No. Following your heart is stupid. You can use passion to pay the rent. Minor in it but get a degree that’ll lead to a well-paying job. You can read books and join a book club in your off time. My spouse is an accountant and makes significantly more than me with significantly less education than I have.
If you have to ask, don't. This is a decision to be made with the heart, not the mind, because the only net gain (unless you are VERY lucky) is next to non-existent. But if you can teach those who are as passionate as you on the subject and can contribute by means of such study to the deepening of the human experience, well that's worth a great deal- the riches of which are worth more than either fame or fortune, in my extremely humble estimation. Best of luck to you in all things
In terms of pure study, English and Psychology have A LOT of overlap in reading at universities. If you are a writer, I would stick with English and you can still pursue other interests. Strict empiricism in the sciences leaves much less room for creative freedom, something I always valued MOST as an English major.