The Value of the English Major
English majors study great writings from across the centuries and around the globe, and through such study develop their ability to think creatively and insightfully, to communicate clearly and persuasively, and to recognize patterns in human behavior and history. These are the “soft skills” which studies show are the most in demand by employers across many different professions. A student with a degree in English therefore enters the work force with a competitive edge that few can match. Numerous resources, articles, and studies attest to the value of the English major for achieving professional and personal fulfillment. To learn more, explore the media linked below, and contact the English Program Director at cloots@mercy.edu.
Think English just leads to teaching? Look at this chart of 59 possible careers that English majors might pursue. (Teaching is one of the 59.)
DearEnglishMajor.com is written by English majors, for English majors, and contains a wealth of regularly updated professional advice for English majors.
This Corrigan Review article is essential reading for anyone wondering if the English major is the right choice. By the end of this article, you will know.
Some people think that humanities degrees like English don’t lead to gainful employment. Job site monster.com proves the opposite with salary data.
As this article shows, English is as much about pursuing a meaningful, satisfying life as it is about career and financial success. Most others majors are not.
As this NY Times article attests, majors such as English prepare students for a lifetime of career success even in our rapidly changing world.
“Being an English major allowed me to explore different career opportunities, such as social media marketing, editing, administration, and teaching. I will always be thankful for my English professors’ dedication to their students.”
– Elena Almeida, english major, class of 2017
This Inside Higher Ed article offers data that the majority of students with humanities majors (like English) are employed and happy with their careers.
Some people think that humanities degrees like English don’t lead to gainful employment. As this BBC article shows, those people are misinformed.
Steve Jobs, Michael Eisner, and many others have said it: success in practically any field is rooted in the humanities. This article proves it is true for medicine.
Forbes business and entrepreneur magazine sets the record straight: degrees like English are “tech’s hottest ticket.”
Some English majors become CEOs, lawyers, writers, journalists, governors, actors, scientists, politicians, and more. Here are just a few you might know.
Why would you want to think like Shakespeare? This article expresses how the fruits of English literary study translate across professions and life.
“Being an English major at Mercy College was a remarkable experience because I learned so many skills that helped me get ahead. I learned skills such as grammar, writing, research, and reading comprehension. But I also learned about the importance of communication, attitude, culture, and human behavior. I learned about the importance of story, and how it shapes the world we live in. The most important thing I learned as an English major is what it means to be human. Being an English major was definitely the right choice for me.”
– QUIANNA PEREZ, ENGLISH MAJOR, CLASS OF 2019
Billionaire investor and entrepreneur Marc Cuban said it: English and similar liberal arts majors are the majors that matter for the future.
According to this US News & World Report article, skills the English major develops are “the most valuable attributes of new hires.”
Students are shying away from majors like English for fear of dim job prospects. As this article shows, students are wrong to do so.
“Students with liberal arts degrees possess the skills employers seek.”
national association of colleges and employers study
mercyenglish.com 