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Why You Should Major In English

An English degree can foster deeper intellectual curiosity, critical thinking skills, and empathy.

You will come out of our English program with a richer, more diverse worldview that will help you challenge assumptions and navigate the world around you thoughtfully and responsively. Experts credit the study of literature with a greater ability to understand the thoughts, feelings, and perspectives of others. Studies show that nearly 80 percent of humanities majors believe they are living their “best possible life.” When you major in English, you are not only setting yourself up for a promising career, but a fulfilling future as a well-informed and well-engaged member of the community.

Majoring in English can lead to lucrative and fulfilling careers in academia, technical industries, non-profits, and beyond. English majors are highly sought out for their communication skills and ability to solve problems creatively. These skills will never lose value as the job market changes and new technology, such as AI, is created. 

Norton Literature poster

Recent studies about the future of work found that close to 80 percent of hiring managers for the highest employing occupations list communication and “human skills” as “important” or “very important.” These are skills that are uniquely developed in majors within the humanities. English majors are in every field from entertainment to education to managerial positions. Look over the chart below for more.