There’s a multitude of different ways that I could analyze how English has helped me in my personal life. Whether it be feigning literary and film prowess over my friends or writing in general, I can definitely say there are benefits to this stuff. I believe there are a million and one possibilities in life maybe a million and two that I could have possibly embarked upon. In another life I hope to be an underwater welder. Despite this, choosing English was arguably one of the best choices I have made in my life. It has allowed me to gain a breadth of knowledge and ideas that are normally not found in a vast amount of college majors. As someone who has also experienced the coursework in the Communications department, I’m able to realize a broad difference within the two majors. Communications for one was exceptionally stringent in its processes. A lot of the course material was factual or at least based upon a theory that has been accumulated and corroborated through scientific analyzation. English however is not as straight forward which I personally find to be more enjoyable and rewarding. In my personal life this has definitely led to a better quality of life, but also an interesting position in the job force.

I believe professionally the English Major while being a declining one of that provides an intrinsic value to the work force that others do not. In ‘The Humanities Are In Crisis’, it is said, “The plunge seems not to reflect a sudden decline of interest in the humanities, or any sharp drop in the actual career prospects of humanities majors. Instead, in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis, students seem to have shifted their view of what they should be studying—in a largely misguided effort to enhance their chances on the job market. And something essential is being lost in the process.” While this is true that means there are significantly less people in my generation with the same skills and thought processes as I. Critical thinking and the ability to write are two undermined faculties in the English Major. Through these skills I should intend to not only harbor a significant advantage in these categories, but a new fresh perspective on problem. Within this the English major provides a direct improvement from others who have valued a more streamlined sense of education.

One project that comes to mind is from my class which was a Survey of Literature. In this class we discussed a multitude of African American works. Culminating in a project I wrote discussing Frederick Douglass’s life. Through this paper I was able to utilize my skills for research in aiding my work. Throughout the project I found myself doing deep research in regards to topics that are not so easily found. Additionally, I began to understand the distinct differences and similarities of contemporary Americans to their predecessor. For one, the cultural anxieties were much of the same. In this I understood a lesson about understanding before disagreeing and the power with which true listening proves beneficial to equipping ourself with the necessary tools to work with one another.

Project 2 was a story I wrote for fiction writing. The purpose or story of the piece does not matter much, however writing a multiple page story when I had not done it before proved immensely challenging. This however is important as it not only taught me the lesson of trying something new but committing to something completely. We as English majors will most likely change our professions multiple times throughout our careers. With this we must be able to adapt and the lessons I have learned through this project and others have prepared me for the obstacles I will face through my career.

My last project was actually from my first English class at the College. We were tasked to write about a photographer that inspired us. While I could search my google drive to figure out what I wrote about. I do not find that important. Instead I would like to focus on the fact that at the time I was truly passionate about that photographer enough to even write about them. This taught me that whatever I do in the outside world, I must be passionate about it. Passion for your work is something that not only drives but makes you good or great. This lesson fully made my ideas and dreams tangible.

I believe there are a multitude of lessons from the English major that someone can use to enhance their professional life. Though much line English itself it is up to you to decide what you will personally gain from this Major. In this way the door is wide open, it is simply for you to seize that entrance with the lessons and skills you have learned to further contextualize yourself within the professional world. In many ways these skills apply to all facets of life and to box them up in the professional world places a great disservice into what the world of literature can do for you.