<p>I am a junior majoring in English. I maintained a 3.9 GPA and interned in an immigration law firm for two summers. I am interested in immigration and human rights issues. In addition, I am also interested in learning about cultural and ethnic groups and their relationships to/ experiences in the United States. I always thought the legal field was the ideal career for me, however, I realized that I prefer learning about the issues I mentioned above through literature. In fact, rather than reading human rights reports, I enjoy reading and analyzing ethnic literature. Thus, I am starting to consider English grad programs (with an emphasis on American and multi-ethnic literature) or American Studies grad programs. If possible, I would like your opinon on what I careers I should pursue that fits both my interests and my type A personality.</p>
<p>I really hate to be the bad guy here but I think you should op out of your English degree while you still have a chance. All English majors from what I’ve seen end up as teachers, low level journalists, wannabe novelists, or applying to jobs business, sociology, and political science majors have a much bigger edge on. Being a teacher is the best I think you can do. Many English grads end up going to graduate school because they realize the lack of jobs they can get, so they think by getting a Masters or PhD, they can increase their chances, but even still, it does very little to help (PhD may give you a good job but still hard to get). </p>
<p>Honestly, why are you in college to begin with? What is your goal initially?</p>
<p>Is it money? Cuz if so, you picked the wrong degree.</p>
<p>Is it a job? I think 4 years of work experience at a High School level job would have been cheaper and more beneficial.</p>
<p>Is it for knowledge? Don’t you think a more job demanding degree and frequent library visits on your own time could have accomplished the same thing without spending thousands on tuition? </p>
<p>Like I said, I REALLY do not want to be the bad guy here, I promise, but I think you should try to be a High School or University teacher or a journalist, or drop your degree and save yourself a lifetime of struggle.</p>
<p>Ignoring the post above, which really doesn’t help you or represent reality, it sounds like academia is a passion for you. Consider applying for PhD programs - as a PhD student, you will do a lot of research and writing, but you will also teach college courses (fulfilling your need to lead and to interact with people). Becoming a college professor is honorable, and though you won’t ever break the bank that way, the brief bit you posted indicates that it might make you quite happy to be a professor!</p>
<p>Have you simply tried applying to jobs and internships? I have a handful of friends who were English majors and somehow they got marketing jobs at big companies. They didn’t have any relevant experience, but they did have internships and they were able to talk their way into the interview by discussing how the skills they learned in their previous internships could be relevant to the job they were interviewing for.</p>
<p>@chrisw</p>
<p>If I am wrong, then why is English on the Top 10 list of most useless majors??? Anyone who says stick with English should not be giving career advice.</p>
<p>[The</a> 10 Worst College Majors - Forbes](<a href=“http://www.forbes.com/sites/jennagoudreau/2012/10/11/the-10-worst-college-majors/]The”>The 10 Worst College Majors)</p>
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<p>This is terrible advice. See the link below on the prospects for English PhDs. It’s a bit dated and things have only gotten worse since this study was done. Many schools have now gone with visiting or adjunct profs instead of tenure track, especially in the humanities.</p>
<p>[From</a> Rumors to Facts: Career Outcomes of English PhDs](<a href=“http://www.mla.org/bulletin_124043]From”>http://www.mla.org/bulletin_124043)</p>
<p>I strongly suggest you visit your school’s career office first thing Monday and figure out what english grads from your school have done with themselves. You have a high GPA which will help in getting into grad school (not sure how competive your school is) but peterhax is right about career prospects.</p>