It’s summertime and some of you have just graduated with an English degree. Or some of you are going back to continue another year and you’re not sure of your major yet. And then there are those of you who are jacked about your first year on campus. You’re going to study English! People might be making fun of you, as they did me, because you’re not choosing rocket science or business admin. But listen.
As with any subject, studying English is a cathartic way to revel in what you love. Working toward your degree you will study words, you will analyze stories, metaphors, archetypes, messages…and, in this way, life. Studying English is not just reading novels or learning grammar. Language is an intimate expression of culture, history, passion – in all, what it means to be human. You will wonder at the development of our language, marvel at its transcendence, you will hone your own craft, and, best of all, you will appreciate and cherish the perfect way perfect combinations of words make you feel.
So many people asked me when I was at university what on earth I was going to do with something so “useless” as an English degree. After several minutes of screwing up their noses, thinking hard for my benefit, they’d say, “I guess teach is about the only thing you can do….” According to them, I was doomed to a life of poverty and no purpose. But my passion for words drove me in a different direction. My parents said I started when I was two: I corrected an adult, telling him it was “fish,“ not “fishie.”
They say that editors aren’t made, they’re born; that we don’t choose the profession, it chooses us. I agree wholeheartedly but I have to credit my degree as well. My good command of English probably improved a hundredfold, especially thanks to the red marks all over my papers. Unlike others, I actually read those (and sometimes cried over them). What I learned studying English was so extensive I could never fit it all here.
People still give me that strange look when they hear what I studied and when I tell them what I do. “So…is there actually a market for that?” they ask, holding up my career as though it were dirty underwear.
Yes, there is. In this world, no matter what profession you choose, whether business, science, or art, communication is key – good communication, that is. With the serious decline in the state of our language (reduced to no capitals, no punctuation, no paragraphs, abbreviations, and screwy, incomprehensible netspeak), nowadays professionalism in presentation is brought about by good writing and even better editing. Since I started my freelance editing and writing business, I have edited for journals, magazines, university presses, independent writers, a newspaper, a publishing house, and many businesses. Whenever a word is written, the need for an editor arises. I also write ad-copy, Web pages, articles…the list goes on.
What can you do with your English degree? The next time someone asks you this, say “anything” - because it’s true. You are not limited to any one profession: wherever language is, there you go also. There are so many career choices that you may find yourself having to pick and choose. Some degrees are so specialized that career choices are limited. The all-encompassing nature of studying English, what might turn others off, is precisely the beauty of it: where you can apply your degree, and how, is unbounded.
Filed under: Uncategorized | 35 Comments
A degree (no matter what discipline) is better than having no degree at all.
In my mind, getting an education is NEVER a waste of time.
It opens your mind, broadens your horizon (yadda yadda yadda). (Okay, it’s Friday…I dont’ wanna get to artsy and philosophical right now!)
But at the very least, it opens up doors and qualifiies you for higher-paying jobs.
Not that this is necessarily the end-goal, but at least you have more options (rather than the person who is stuck with a McJob and has to work that much harder to break out of that trap..).
Friar! I’m surprised to hear this coming from you. Didn’t we have that discussion about you regretting your PhD or something like that a while ago?!
But I agree. I learned so much at university pursuing the studies I did. About life in general. They were the most formative years of my life, aside from my babyhood and learning how to even speak and all that.
And yes, degrees definitely open doors. I hate to admit it sometimes, but I know I got certain jobs because of my degree. My library job I had required me to have a degree (in anything, didn’t have to be related!!). They just wanted to know I’d been to university, studied, been made to research, taught to think, that sort of thing. Damn handy, that.
I used to tell my students that if they had a writing ability, go into any other profession besides writing. When you’re a good writer in a field of a billion good writers, you’re just a good writer. When you’re a good writer in a field of a billion okay writers, you’re a superstar.
I agree that an English degree can help you anywhere you go. It’s one of those degrees, like psychology, that has applications for almost any job. And when you have those English skills, you can use them to better your career in any profession.
PS — today I’m on a really big ENGLISH IS THE BEST FOUNDATION soapbox. And I haven’t even had a second cup of coffee yet.
Steph
I agree…getting an education is great.
But on the other hand, getting TOO MUCH of an education (like I did) also has it’s drawbacks.
The jury is still out whether I made the right choice getting my Phd.
I’m not bitching about what I’m earning now (I realize people make far less). But just to state the facts:
At the Widget Factory, a PhD engineer fresh grad (who’s in their 30’s because they’ve been to university for 10 years) will start around $60K.
On the other hand, an 18 year old with a grade 10 eduction, can get hired as a “Labourer”. The lowest skill job there is here.
And they’ll start at $32K a year.
Including pension, full benefits, and overtime.
And being in the Union, they’ll be guaranteed a decent pay raise every year.
So when this kid will be in his 30’s..he’ll have accumulated 10-15 years of pension, and he’ll be making $60K, he’ll have no student debt, and his house will be half paid off.
He can think of retiring in his early 50’s and doing what he wants (Meanwhile, the PhD’s are just getting started on their career).
So sometimes I wonder…was it all worth it? Mabye I should have taken the path of least resistance….mabye I’d have been happier.
(Well, who says Life is Fair?). I try not to dwell on what “Shoulda Coulda been”.
But I must admit..it DOES piss me off at times. (Especially when PhD’s here get treated like crap).
Oh well. This is why I blog….
Well…who sez Life is Necessariy Fair?
(I try not to dwell on it…..). But it does piss me off sometimes.
Beth: Woohoo! With you advocating (read your article!) and me editing, I’m thinking things are certainly looking up for us!!
@ Friar: OUCH!! Those statistics! I can see why they piss you off. Actually, I see this kind of thing where Colin works as well. In the end, the educated are working for the ones who never went to much school and instead started their own businesses. Or they’re just making more than the ones who went to school forever. AND they have no debt.
On the flip side, isn’t it weird how these days you need a degree to get a “good job”?
Hey, it’s not too late: what have you got that you can market?
@ Friar
Ah, but I’d say you’re missing the point about grad school. Isn’t one of the major benefits of a higher education the luxury of being able to grow and think and analyze? I have a master’s degree in journalism, and I completely adored the intellectual stimulation with my peers. If I had the luxury today to be able to live on Top Ramen again, I’d stay in school forever. But I’d want a PhD in folklore this time, and I just can’t imagine trying to make a living as a storyteller.
The guy who starts at the factory and keeps his Union job may never know the joy of drinking beers with fellow students and arguing about the media’s treatment of the presidential candidates. I loved that crap.
@ Beth: But I got all those things you mentioned in university without doing a master’s or a PhD. I think that might be what Friar means: the post-grad stuff. I think undergrad was still worth it to him… I would still love to study more, but because I’m interested in it, not for the social aspect anymore. I enjoyed all five years, but I was soooo outta there after that!
@Steph
I make a pretty good paycheck now (Finally, 21 years since getting my engineering degree). So I’m just going to coast and pay my bills, until I find out what I’m REALLY meant to do with my life.
Which I suspect, involves writing. Hence, all this blogging….it’s good practice and I have 2 books on the back burner I’m slowly working on.
Sooner or later, I’ll get published. That’s my dream.
Then…as the locals here say…they can take my PhD and stick it up their ARSE.
Did you really get those things as an undergrad? I didn’t. Sure, I had some conversations, but the ones in grad school were so focused with people who were passionate about what they were studying.
But perhaps I’m just nostalgic and want to go drink some beer at a bar and talk to people. Remember that I spend too much time alone and am angry with my coffee shop people. Today I feel pretty house bound.
Don’t worry — I’ve got a date tonight. Don’t tell the other blog, but I’m dating DJ again.
@Friar: You want to be published?! I didn’t know that! That’s awesome! I could totally see you writing. You know, I’ve also thought you could illustrate stories with photos or paintings as well. There was this one mag I used to read…actually, I think it was Canadian Geographic, and they use to post photos to illustrate a well-known story, or at least the story quote.
@ Beth: oh, I really did get all that stuff. It was awesome! ut I was just thinking that Us schools are different, aren’t they, from Canadian? I’m not talking college, I’m talking university, here, which was full of very serious and thought-provoking discussion on interesting subjects! And some beer too. But mostly academia, and at that time I really enjoyed and got so much out of that. I did my best of everything while there. If it weren’t for the debt and the fact that it doesn’t pay, I probably would have been a student forever! I was so much more productive and creative.
I know what you mean about housebound. I took the car last night, finally, and I was belting out songs in the car I felt so FREE!
PS. Woohoo!! Your secret is safe with me!
I’d tend to think you could do anything you wanted to do with an English degree (much like you could with any degree). I mean, when it boils down to it, a lot of success has to do with good communication skills.
I have an old friend who studied Chemical Engineering, just as I did. She works at IBM in some sort of marketing, working from home (and living in Spain – okay, I admit to being jealous in a friendly way).
She knows absolutely NOTHING about computers which drives me up the wall
but she’s a good communicator and that’s why she is very successful, I think.
PS – Friar and I are working on something together. It’s been a bit on-again, off-again as we each have our own stuff, but we’re going to work on it next week some time.
-Brett
@Brett: that’s just it. I was saying the same thing on Beth’s site this afternoon: it’s all about good communication! I think it’s of the utmost importance. Aside from business or work, even, we are relational beings: communication is our staple!
Ohhh, I LOVE it when you say you’ve got something up your sleeve!! I can’t wait to hear about it! I just get so excited when people think up great ideas!! And the fact that you and Friar are up to something together makes me one very curious cat!
@Beth
I had a lot of fun during my Masters (both socially and intellectually). It was relatively harmless (only 2 more years of school). Short and sweet.
But the PhD…four more years on top of that. That was much, much harder. Even though I did well I was treated like crap. It was mentally exhausting. Towards the end I just finished out of sheer stubborness.
I actually found the people in my Undergrad class more “real”. The grad students and profs had a lot of geeks and/or intellectual snobs that I was just NOT compatible with.
Oh well, what’s done is done. I”m thinking of a a career change anyway (that has nothing to do with my grad skule!)
@Steph
Acutally, when I come to think of it..I AM published. I have 8-9 scientific papers in refereed journals.
(But you know what I mean…I want to write a “REAL” book…!)
Ha! I just wrote about archetypes and symbolism. I love that stuff. I don’t like editing, though.
Friar: You’re published? Where are these journals! Can I read the articles online? I’m interested!
@Ellen: heading on over to your house…
Friar: I do know what you mean about a real book. And I’d say you have a LOT of material.
@Steph
Sorry, I dont’ think you could read me on-line. Even I can’t.
These journals are so stingy, so they don’t allow Joe Public to see the articles on-line (not unless you subscribe and pay BIG $$$$).
You’d have to actually have to go a university library and actually drag the phone-book sized volumes off the shelf…and photocopy the articles.
And believe me..you wouldnt’ want to do THAT…(It’s not exactly the most “stimulating reading” ). Imagine reading a telephone book….:-)
(Shudder..!!!) Brings back memories of Grad Skule.
@Friar: LOL!! I think you should write a book called Grad Skule…
Friar: Sigh. You see what happens to academic writing? This is why I have to stop editing it.
@Steph
Actually, I started to write about my Grad Skule (the NanoWriMo book challenge last November). Tens of thousands of words. Tons of funny stories.
Its’ still sitting there, in rough draft. I just haven’t even gotten around to posting some of thes stories yet.
Just not enough hours in the day (plus I get “side-tracked” with all my other stories!)
Friar: Cool!! I’m so jealous of you having so much material! I can’t wait to read your book! I thought of doing that challenge, too, but I give up before I start…hmmm, I’m going off to check out that site again now.
@Beth – I always thought that, too. That everyone would be cool and intellectual and all. Maybe some people are, but it just seems to get so competitive and people turn into assholes.
@Friar – Yeah, I hope you didn’t take it wrong when I said you were over educated. It relates to what I said to Beth. I think you’re smarter than that. And you realize it. No education is a waste. I just don’t like it when people use their education to think they are better than others. And it seems to happen a lot with masters and Phd people. They get stuck in that rut where they can’t think anymore. They are like horses with blinders on. No. No education is a waste.
@Ellen: I agree: education, no matter what kind, is not a waste. the process of getting it partly made you who you are today and how you think, even if to decide that it can seem overrated. Ultimately, it’s what we do with it that counts. There could be the most highly educated person out there doing nothing. Now that is a waste.
I too can’t stand when people get pretentious about having formal education. There’s a difference between smart and intelligent. Intelligence, I think, doesn’t necessary come from formal schooling.
Strange. I was just writing a rant about my grad school and then I pop over here and what do I find?
By the way, my MFA so totally makes me the bestest writer ever.
Grad school was great for solidifying my writing, but undergrad was where the magical conversations happened. I think our undergrad passion for writing outshone any of what I saw in grad school.
It IS strange! What went from encouraging students studying a “useless” degree and telling them they CAN study what they love turned into a bit of something else altogether!!
However, I welcome that. One of the best parts, if not the best part, of blogging is the discussion that is caused by a post!
Amen.
In High School, everyone thinks they can study whatever they want, and they’ll all end up earning $100K and having a big house.
When you’re 18, nobody tells you that life isn’t fair, and some jobs pay more than others.
Guidance counsellors shouldn’t discourage students from taking “useless” courses, but they should let them know the reality of their career choices.
For example, tell a student: “If you want to major in Ancient Etruscan Poetry, fine, nothing wrong with that. Just be aware that Etruscan Poetry Graduates earn $2,800 a year and only one in 12,000 finds work in their field”.
At least the kids would know what they’re in for, and can make their decision accordingly. (As opposed to finding out four years later..after all is said and done).
Steph,
Ho ho ho, never get the Friar going on education.
Both my undergrad experiences were rich with that kind of out-of-class education that your retire-at-50 laborers have to find someplace else, or never find at all. I wish we were all cut out for at least an undergrad education, for the critical thinking and independent research abilities you develop, and for the extracurriculars, whatever that means to you. It takes all kinds, however, and we aren’t all happy in that environment.
Next time I am taking Etruscan Poetry. That’s it.
Though Friar did his best to dissuade, I now want a real name so I can go to my local uni library and see just how boring this Renaissance Canadian can be. I don’t think I can put “Deep Friar” into the university’s catalogue search and come up with much at all.
An English degree is a very fine thing, in spite of my narrow escape from said. There isn’t a thing you can’t do (aside from what Friar does), and it makes so many things you can do, easier.
Unbounded. So nicely said. A lovely post, and comments that make me want to go back to school all over again.
Regards,
Kelly
@Friar: I don’t think you have to worry about that: we were given the low-down by our guidance counsellors, that’s for sure: “Um, theatre? Good luck with that!”
@Kelly: good points, all around. And there’s no one saying you can’t at least do a correspondence course, is there?
I imagine finding the time would be difficult, though.
I’m impressed that you found your English degree to be helpful for your writing – I did not have that same experience. I was surrounded by Jane Austen freaks who complained that 5000 words for a paper just wasn’t long enough, while I was struggling to make it through to maybe 3000 if I was lucky.
And academic writing? Oh my god. Just researching for a paper would drive me insane in the library – I would be almost foaming at the mouth in fury over the shitcrap I had to QUOTE from. Finding a well-written academic paper was like a water station in the desert (sorry, lame cliche).
I am jealous of all of you people who had positive undergrad experiences. I liked to read and write and all, but I also had other interests – English majors all seemed to define themselves by how much literary theory they could pull out of their ass while simultaneously quoting Spencer or Milton or Bacon. They also complained about having to take Other Classes besides English ones. I liked my art history and anthro and yes! shock! SCIENCE classes. It was Shakespeare that made me want to cry. So I dropped him. How anyone can fully get through an entire Shakespeare play PER WEEK is still completely beyond my comprehension.
My undergrad academic career was so totally different. Math, science, physics….I loved it all. It was the other stuff I wasn’t crazy about.
But the faculty made us Engineers take so many “Humanities” elective courses, though, to make us more “Well rounded”.
So fine. If we had to take things like sociology or English or economics…
then ALSO make the arts students take chemistry and calculus!
(Funny thing, though…it didn’t quite work that way!)
@French panic: Oh, totally. My degree seriously had a major effect on my writing and editing. We didn’t just read novels and quote old English at each other for kicks. II remember the English majors actually being normal and into a lot of extracurricular activities too. I just don’t remember nerds like the ones you described. I was pretty fascinated by everything I studied in English (oh, God, including Shakespeare, but I had an excellent prof, too), but I’d say I was most influenced by the comments from my profs on my papers and in creative writing classes. I didn’t even read all the novels we were assigned. It was impossible, anyway.
I don’t remember being quite so angry about sifting through academic writing when I had to write papers, except that I had to do so much of it. But editing it now, as I have for five years, I can totally understand the foaming at the mouth bit!
I too had other interests. I am one course short of a minor in Phys. Ed., French, Theatre, etc. I thought I wanted to do Psychology or Religion, too. Instead I got English and History. But taking electives drove me nuts because I couldn’t decide what to focus on. There are still courses I would have liked to have taken out of pure interest. I don’t remember knowing any Englishers like the ones you described!
What about starting your own bookstore? I don’t believe that Chapters and other major stores would prevent your success. In small Belleville here, with Coles and Chapters, there are still about four other independent bookstores, all doing well. I know it’s easier said than done, but it’s not impossible, if it’s really what you’d love to do.
@Friar: the techies and biz people all had to take art history or theatre and stuff like that, too, at least where I went!
My sister was a History major and ended up in marketing. I was a Sociology major and ended up in advertising. Study what you want and worry about what to do with it later!!
@bretthead: I can totally see a correlation btw soc and advertising!
This conversation gets the “Longest Thread Award.” Great discussion!