Hi, I’m about to start my senior year in high school and I’m still undecided as to what I’m going to major in, let alone pursue after college. I’ve though about being a lawyer or psychiatrist. However, I’m not into politics that much and arguing isn’t my strong suit, so lawyer may not be the best choice. I’m thinking about psychiatry because it sounds really different and interesting, but I need to at least shadow my brother’s friend first because science is my least favorite subject. Ok, now off to my actual question…English has always been my favorite subject; I’m not just saying that because I like to read and write, but also because everything about the course interests me (grammar, speaking, etc.) I posted a thread a few days back asking if my dream job is at all realistic. That job is becoming an English professor. It just seems really interesting to teach young adults about my passion and then do intense research into it. If somebody is familiar with the position, can you tell me about the job market, salary, etc. Also what are some other careers I can get by majoring in English? Which colleges have the best English programs? And which ones don’t cost a ridiculous amount? I should also mention that I’m a straight A student, in 4 AP classes, am National Honor Society president of my school’s chapter, and am involved in a numerous amount of clubs and volunteer opportunities. So, if any of that can help me get into a good program, let me know of any scholarship opportunities! I’m so lost haha…Thank you for the help!
Some things to consider:
LAW:
Not all lawyers argue cases. In fact, the majority of lawyers are not litigators. Also, about 40% of law school graduates do not practice law. Law is primarily a profession of research, writing, and advocacy.
PSYCHIATRY:
There’s more than one way to be a therapist. Give serious consideration to the differences between being a psychiatrist (focused on biological and neurological models of mental illness, medical doctor, can prescribe drugs), licensed psychologist (focused on behavioral models of mental illness, PhD required, not a medical doctor, no drugs),
or licensed mental health counselor (behavioral models, Masters required, not an MD, no drugs).
Given your lack of deep interest in science, the psychology track - psychologist or counselor - seems like a possible better fit for you. You’d still need to master statistics and the methods of social science research, but you won’t have to learn all of the pre-med and med school science in addition.
ENGLISH:
The job market for English in academia is tight and low-paying. Competition for tenure track positions is fierce. Don’t go into mountains of debts expecting to become a professor. Keep your expenses lean and have a Plan B.
Also, English in college becomes very different from English in high school. It’s increasingly more of a field of cultural criticism. It has politics and ideologies and factions. You may find this exciting, or you may find it incredibly annoying. Just be prepared for the possibility that you will fall out of love with English as an academic subject even if you love literature.
Regarding jobs, there are plenty of other jobs English majors end up in, including good paying jobs in the tech industry, screenwriting, journalism, human resources, banking, publishing, advertising, etc. With the exception of highly specialized fields like engineering or architecture, you can find an English major in just about every field there is. The key is to keep in mind that your English education is not just a chance for you to read a lot of literature, it’s an opportunity to form yourself as a thinker, writer, and worker. Treat it that way, challenge yourself and discipline yourself, and you’ll finish as a highly-employable person even if your degree is not the most obviously-sought-after degree.
You’re on the right track asking about schools that have the best English programs but don’t cost a lot. If your dream is to be a professor, then your eye should be on the overall cost of your full education all the way to Ph.D. Ideally, you’ll keep costs low at every level, while meanwhile ascending a ladder to ever more prestigious schools with each degree. In my own studies, I had many English professors who had their bachelors from Cardinal Direction Regional State University but had their Ph.D. from a top-20 private or public university.
Wow, this was a lot of help! So, you’re saying that it would be better if I wait to go into a prestigious schoo such as NYU (which is my dream school) when I get my Ph.D.? I think I would be fine with that. I think I’m planning to major to Rnglish now knowing that there are still a wide variety of careers out there in case I want to pursue another profession. Thanks so much!
You can certainly still apply to NYU, but if after all merit and need-based aid it’s going to cost you $40k per year to go there versus $10k at a good public in your home state, save your ducats!
You don’t have to go to the absolute cheapest school, but you’ll want to focus on bang for the buck.
Also, I’m not sure what your stats are, but if you have the stats it is worth looking into honors colleges embedded at the major public universities. And not just those in your home state, as some schools provide ample scholarships to honors students that reduce or negate the out-of-state premium.
Hmm I should look into some of these public universities then. I don’t have to go to NYU, but I just want to move somewhat away to experience life on my own than where I am right now which is a small Illinois town.
If you are in high school, you have your entire life to move away from Illinois and experience something else. It’s often better to do that after college, once you have saved money on your education and have the capacity to earn.
You don’t have to go to the best English department or even a “strong” English department in undergrad; you’re looking for a good solid overall experience, especially if you are uncertain about what you want to major in. Nevertheless, it’s important to note here that UIC and UIUC both have strong English departments! Chicago’s a pretty different experience from a small Illinois town, and UIC says most of their English majors participate in an internship program with placements like ESPN, the Chicago International Film Festival, Amnesty International USA, McGraw-Hill, NBC, and the Newberry Library. The department is really big on encouraging undergraduates to get real-world writing experience at outside firms, which is excellent; you know that their focus is on professional writing skills and getting majors jobs (and not just the theoretical side of English literature).
UIUC also has a focus on internships and has a special program in professional writing, in which you get experience for writing across different fields - science and engineering, business, marketing and public relations, among others.
My brother went to UIUC and loved it so that has always been one of my choices too. I never have really looked into UIC that much but it’s in a city I love, it’s the sister school of UIUC, and I have heard the English department is good! I might just have to research some more on it. All of those internships sound really great too! Thank you so much!