10 Reasons Why You Should Be An English Major

For starters: there will be no math or science involved. This is a fun only zone, conducted by a senior in college giving you advise. Who also really likes the Office, can you tell?

Once upon a time, I thought I wanted to be a Psychology major. After taking a Research Methods class, I soon discovered science wasn't for me. After I evaluated what I specifically wanted to study, (something that isn't so objective as math or science, something with creativity, and something that I'll genuinely be able to apply to my real life outside of college) an English major fit perfectly. I'm living proof that even if you're already in college, you can still change the fate of your education with a simple switch. And if you haven't even begun college yet, you're already ahead of the game! If any of these 10 reasons apply to you, I strongly suggest you test the waters of English.

1. BREAKING NEWS: JOBS EXIST

Contrary to what your family may have told you, there are TONS of job opportunities for English majors. Being able to articulate yourself is a skill virtually every company will celebrate.

2. Seriously, the hardest part is choosing the job best suited for you!

MRC / Via mrc.org

The obvious choice is to become an English teacher, but that’s not all; you can become a speech writer, social media manager, technical writer, editor, lawyer, etc. The list goes on and on. For more information, the University of Washington's website offers great career suggestions and more!

3. Still don't believe me?

Northwestern University / Via english.northwestern.edu

Have a fancy pie graph. Look at all your options. It's legit.

4. Creativity isn't just for writers

You can discover new worlds in a Creative Fiction class or find your inner Shakespeare with an Intro to Poetry course. However, that's not the only place creativity exists; simply learning to think outside the box can help you succeed in your future career, even if it isn't a writing oriented career. Creativity comes in different shapes and sizes. Don't be afraid to take risks.

5. *Mic drop*

You'll have to become a Canadian citizen first, but long story short: the possibilities are endless.

6. Become the Speedy Gonzales of Writing

We all procrastinate; people who say they don't are probably procrastinating from telling the truth. Being an English major is guaranteed to show you how fast you can write when a deadline is involved. You'll even start believing you do your best work when you're under pressure.

7. Conciseness. Efficiency.

Whether you want a career focused in writing or not, being an English major will help you learn how to communicate your objective in a conversation more articulately than ever before. Sometimes less really is more.

8. Critical Thinking is the New Black

Regurgitating what other people think is overrated. One the most useful life lessons you'll learn with an English degree is how to evaluate information and form your own well-rounded conclusions. In other words, it tries to eliminates shallow thinking; you'll become a stronger problem solver and impress people with your new found intellect.

9. You've got a friend in me 🎶

Sure, the skills we learn in class are important, but let's be honest: sometimes you just need a pal. There's nothing more gratifying than being surrounded by a group of people who understand you. In English, there's always someone else who's experiencing writers block or who just does not understand what the hell is going on. It has always been a supportive environment for me, and you'll be pleasantly surprised how many friends you make along the way.

10. Take a chance on me 🎶

I didn't change my major to English until my Junior year of college, for one reason and one reason only—fear. I had always been interested in it, but I let people who told me it wouldn't be a wise investment dictate my future. Don't let other people decide what you're best at. If you're genuinely interested and passionate in English or whatever you choose to study, I promise college will be some of the best years of your life. In the words of singer/songwriter and motivational speaker (not really) Natasha Bedingfield, "Live your life with arms wide open. Today is where your book begins. The rest is still unwritten."