Home | About Us | Search:
Career ExplorationCareer AssessmentColleges & UniversitiesMajors & DegreesAccount Manager
Majors DatabaseWhat Can I Do With a Major In...Top Ten ListsMajors CommunityOnline ResourcesMore Tools & Resources
ExistingUsers
User Name:
Password:
Login automatically
Login
Forgot your password?
Click here
NewUsers
FeaturedResources
AddThis Social Bookmark Button
 
English Language and Literature, General
Description   |   Colleges That Offer This Degree   |   What Careers Are Related?   |   Community
  Majors / English Language and Literature, General  
     
 
Reviews
 
 
Reviews
There are 113 reviews of this major.
Sort by: 
Write an online review and share your thoughts about this major with others!
Author:
   Anonymous 
2.5 stars
 
Date:
 February 23, 2007
  English Language and Literature, General:

English is a great major while you're in college; however, it's after you graduate that you may have a problem. It's simply not a very marketable degree; even if you want to go to grad school, it takes a long time to get a Ph.D. and there aren't many teaching jobs available. English is a good major inasmuch as you do learn writing and reading skills, but these days you need something business oriented. I would recommend an Econ major and an English minor.
Is this review abusive? spam? [Report it]
Write an online review and share your thoughts about this major with others!
Author:
   Anonymous 
3 stars
 
Date:
 February 05, 2007
  English Language and Literature, General:

I started out college majoring in English Education--I enjoyed the literature classes but after my first education class I decided that the public school system was a mess I didn't want to deal with, so I changed it to English Literature. In retrospect, I should have stayed with English Education. First, because English Literature is a really unmarketable degree--unless you want to be an editor (I don't), there is really no job for you after college that is relevant to your degree. Second, I could have done other things than teach in public schools with an Education degree--private schools, tutoring jobs, or Sylvan Learning Center. So in retrospect I wish I would have stayed with English Education. However, I enjoyed my major a lot. I love analyzing English Literature. I thought it was fun and interesting and I enjoyed discussing the text in class with others and writing papers advancing my own analytic points of view. After graduation I didn't work, I am staying home with my children so thankfully I didn't have to worry about finding a job with a degree that I really enjoyed as a major but didn't have any real employment prospects that interested me.
Is this review abusive? spam? [Report it]
Write an online review and share your thoughts about this major with others!
Author:
   Anonymous 
4.5 stars
 
Date:
 February 04, 2007
  English Language and Literature, General:

An English major is the perfect choice for those who want a broad choice of careers and who wish to enjoy their undergraduate experience. It's also an excellent complement to any other major (I double-majored in English and psychology). I enjoyed examining the fundamental texts of Western civilization and applying their themes to broader cultural trends, both past and present. An English major also allows students to develop writing and communication skills vital to later success and to think critically about texts and issues.
Students considering English majors should be prepared to read and write extensively, as well as participate in class discussions. They should be interested in the culture around them, and willing to explore alternative viewpoints.
While jokes about English majors preparing for a life of burger flipping are common, English majors find themselves prepared to succeed in a wide range of careers, or to pursue graduate study.
Is this review abusive? spam? [Report it]
Write an online review and share your thoughts about this major with others!
Author:
   Anonymous 
3.5 stars
 
Date:
 January 22, 2007
  English Language and Literature, General:

If you love to read and write this is the major for you. The pros of majoring in English is that it helps improve your writing skills and widen your knowledge of literary styles and gain an appreciation of literature. The cons are it is difficult finding work in this field if you don't couple it with another major. I would recommend anyone majoring in English to double in something like Education, marketing or journalism.
Is this review abusive? spam? [Report it]
Write an online review and share your thoughts about this major with others!
Author:
   Anonymous 
5 stars
 
Date:
 January 21, 2007
  English Language and Literature, General:

Set aside enough time to read everything -- skimming just won't cut it. Take time to edit papers, and have someone else read over them. Really, this is not a major you can rush your way through; you have to do your work and be careful, and when you're not, it shows.
Is this review abusive? spam? [Report it]
Write an online review and share your thoughts about this major with others!
Author:
   Anonymous 
4.5 stars
 
Date:
 January 21, 2007
  Creative Writing:

I'm pleased to have a degree in this major mainly because it made me feel confident about my communication skills. No matter the job or situation, quality communication skills are always a must. I'm sure I could have achieved the same skills with a degree in comparitive literature (which is what I started out in) but I switched to creative writing because the professors allowed the students to have a say in the direction the classes took. I felt I was allowed to actively participate more in the creative writing classes than the english classes, therfore I tried harder and was more interested. But that could have been specific to my university.
Is this review abusive? spam? [Report it]
Write an online review and share your thoughts about this major with others!
Author:
   Anonymous 
4 stars
 
Date:
 January 21, 2007
  English Literature (British and Commonwealth):

Having a degree in English & Literature prepares you well for life-after-college. The pros of having an English & Literature degree are as follows:

1) You become the resident expert in copywriting, editing and proofreading.
2) You are able to communicate well with all sectors within an organization.
3) You are well-prepared for a teaching profession.

The cons of having an English & Literature degree are as follows:
1) You have virtually no knowledge of anything in the healthcare arena which is an up-and-coming career field.
2) You may be perceived as "artsy-fartsy."
Is this review abusive? spam? [Report it]
Write an online review and share your thoughts about this major with others!
Author:
   Anonymous 
4.5 stars
 
Date:
 January 20, 2007
  English Language and Literature, General:

English is such a versatile major. It really prepares you for almost anything as it teaches you to think and analyze. I went on from college to actually work in Credit, Accounting and then Sales. Obviously, you would have a hard time going into medicine, Accounting (CPA path), or any of the real sciences. But I know many that went on to successfull business careers. There is also always teaching to fall back on!
Is this review abusive? spam? [Report it]
Write an online review and share your thoughts about this major with others!
Author:
   Anonymous 
4.5 stars
 
Date:
 January 20, 2007
  English Language and Literature, General:

I believe selecting English as my major was one of the best decisions I made in college. In addition to expanding my knowledge of the major literary pieces, it really helped improve my writing and critical analysis skills. These skills have been essential to my post-college career growth and really helped me advance in the business world. I believe that these skills are not only important to one specific career path, but would help anyone achieve success in any business environoment.

An advantage to taking so many English courses is that it becomes helpful to have the input from many different sources about my analysis and writing, thereby learning from a well-rounded source of experts. A disadvantage is that sometimes from an analysis standpoint, a professor may disagree with an analysis based on complete subjectivity. So, its possible that the same analysis read by three separate professors could have three very different interpretations and subsequent grades.
Is this review abusive? spam? [Report it]
Write an online review and share your thoughts about this major with others!
Author:
   Anonymous 
3.5 stars
 
Date:
 January 19, 2007
  Creative Writing:

I did like my major choice. I have always wanted to write, either fiction or science fiction, but something creative. My only negative comment regarding this major, was that there was so much focus on non-creative writing skills, and not enough of a focus on how to elicit the creative muse. I would recommend this major for those who are interested in literature, and writing in general, but not necessarily for those who want to have a writing career. Individuals who want to primarily write would probably fare better with a major in journalism, with a minor or several classes in creative and technical writing.
Is this review abusive? spam? [Report it]
Write an online review and share your thoughts about this major with others!
Author:
   Anonymous 
3 stars
 
Date:
 January 19, 2007
  English Language and Literature, General:

Your college advisors will tell you that English is a great major because, with it, you can do anything. My Great Aunt Betty will tell you that English Majors can do anything except get a job. Many of the fields that English majors used to flock too, Marketing, HR, Public Relations, are being filled by people who have majors in these specific areas. My advise to English majors is this: get an internship. And then another one. Employers want your communication skills, but you need skills in specific fields to get a job.
Is this review abusive? spam? [Report it]
Write an online review and share your thoughts about this major with others!
Author:
   Anonymous 
4.5 stars
 
Date:
 January 19, 2007
  English Language and Literature, General:

I highly recommend studying English in college. Having an English degree leads to excellent verbal and written communication skills which are very important in almost every career out there. This major made me a great candidate for the marketing job I now have. If I had to go back to college and "do it all over again" I wouldn't hesitate to study English.
Is this review abusive? spam? [Report it]
Write an online review and share your thoughts about this major with others!
Author:
   Anonymous 
4 stars
 
Date:
 January 19, 2007
  Creative Writing:

English Communications with a concentration was a great major for me, especially since I took it at a small school. None of my classes were larger than 20 people, and in writing classes that is a great benefit. Being so small, instead of getting little feedback on your writing, our classes were more like workshops, where we were encouraged to share and give feedback continuously. What is also nice about having a concentration in creative writing, is that you also get the broad English background. I would definitely choose to be an English major if I had it to do over again, as writing and communication skills are the best skills to have in the workplace. I found that being an English major gave me a well-rounded approach to work that I don't think I would have received had a choosen a more specific major such as business or one of the sciences.
Is this review abusive? spam? [Report it]
Write an online review and share your thoughts about this major with others!
Author:
   Anonymous 
0.5 stars
 
Date:
 January 19, 2007
  English Language and Literature, General:

While the major is very enjoyable, you will be little prepared to do any job from which you will be able to earn a living.
Is this review abusive? spam? [Report it]
Write an online review and share your thoughts about this major with others!
Author:
   Anonymous 
4 stars
 
Date:
 January 18, 2007
  Creative Writing:

Many people think this is an "easy" degree, but there is a lot of work and thought that needs to go into it. Anyone can "write," but there are few people (even of those I met in the writing program) that can REALLY write. Just because someone can scratch out some angry poetry doesn't qualify them to write. I would most definitely choose writing again if I did college over again, though I would put more thought and effort into my work. If you enjoy writing, it's fun. It exercises your creative abilities and gives you an outlet of expression. The work can be tedious, though. I may never write ten poems in a week again, with revisions. The constant revising got to be annoying, but there are no serious complaints overall.
Is this review abusive? spam? [Report it]
Write an online review and share your thoughts about this major with others!
Author:
   Anonymous 
2 stars
 
Date:
 January 18, 2007
  Creative Writing:

The college major I choose, English Literature/Creative Writing, was a mistake. I embarked on this field of study believing that I could make a living with my pen (or keyboard). I wrote well, earned a 3.92 over all (and a 3.9 in my major), but sometimes working hard isn't all it takes. If I could go back, I would have majored in English/Literature through the Education Department. At least that way, I could have had a teaching certificate. Oh, I can substitute now and then, but I don't possess the credentials to teach full-time. Though I made a few buck from the stories I published, I still have not written the "great American novel." I value and appreciate what I learned in college, but I should have listened to my parents. The odds of paying the bills by wordsmithing are very slim.
Is this review abusive? spam? [Report it]
Write an online review and share your thoughts about this major with others!
Author:
   Anonymous 
2.5 stars
 
Date:
 January 18, 2007
  Creative Writing:

I chose this major with the confidence that I would write the "Great American Novel" and succeed. I published numerous short stories and wrote a novel; however, I made next to no money. My mistake was that I did not pursue a similar English degree through the College of Education. Had I done so, I could be a certified teacher and pay my bills. As it stands, I scrap to make ends meet. I value the education, I kick most people's butt's on Jeopardy, but can't make much of a living even though I graduated with an BA in English with a concentration in Creative Writing. My advice is to avoid the ego of majoring in Creative Writing. If you love Literature and the English Language, go through the Education Department. It's easier, and it is easier to get a post-grad degree as well. Plus, there more roads to follow if you do so. Besides, if you write well, then you don't need a piece of paper saying that you do so, other than your manuscripts.
Is this review abusive? spam? [Report it]
Write an online review and share your thoughts about this major with others!
Author:
   Anonymous 
4 stars
 
Date:
 January 18, 2007
  English Language and Literature, General:

This is not a major for someone who is looking to get a fantastic job right out of college. This is a major that you have to love and be willing to do despite your better fiscal mind. It has many non-material rewards, predominantly in learning how to think and how to write. I would choose this major all over again and again. There is nothing greater than the gifts it has given me.
Is this review abusive? spam? [Report it]
Write an online review and share your thoughts about this major with others!
Author:
   Anonymous 
4 stars
 
Date:
 January 17, 2007
  English Language and Literature, General:

My primary advice for someone looking to major in English is that you must be ready to read several pages hundred pages of writing per night and for people to ask you "Why are you doing that instead of business?". Also, you need to enjoy writing lengthy papers and the possession of great public communication skills will give you a much better job market when you exit. Overall, if you have these qualifications, I would recommend studying this major. The pro's of this major include...
1. Great flexibility in job choice and class choice
2. The opporuntity to do something you love

Cons are as follows...
1. Not "prestigious"
2. No target market when exiting

Overall, if you can accept the downside, a major in English is a great choice.
Is this review abusive? spam? [Report it]
Write an online review and share your thoughts about this major with others!
Author:
   Anonymous 
2.5 stars
 
Date:
 January 17, 2007
  Creative Writing:

I majored in creative writing at a large public university in New York City. Writing has always been part of my life and I was excited to learn more about the craft. For the most part, my professors, both in writing and literature, were wonderful. They were enthusiastic and knowledgeable about their chosen subject and they taught me alot.

I would recommend English especially anything writing intensive, as a major. Even though I have never directly used my degree, my writing skills have served me in every job I have had. Majoring in English requires an enormous amount of writing, even at the undergraduate level. I found that the other students in my classes often served to inspire me even when I was at a loss for an idea. On the downside, I found there was a lot of competitive vying for the professor's attention - especially in my writing classes. Favor from a professor often leads to introduction to an literary agent or a publisher so it can lead to a cutthroat environment.

The other downside of the English major is that it doesn't really set you up for direct employment, like a science or a technology degree does. You need to have definite ideas on how to use the degree for it to serve you well. An English degree can be a huge asset when applying to graduate school. All in all it is a fun major where you can learn a great deal about communication and self expression.
Is this review abusive? spam? [Report it]
 
Displaying reviews 61 - 80 of 113 Previous | Next
 
   
Interesting Fact
Only 37% of American adults say they have read a book in the past 12 months (c. 1994).
Did you know...
The College Media Library provides links to college articles, images, virtual tours and viewbooks!
 

About Us   |   Contact Us    |    Privacy Policy   |   Terms of Use    |    © MyPlan.com, L.L.C. 2004 -