To Major, or Not To Major...That is the Question

Ok so as an upcoming graduate, with a B.A. in English/Professional Writing, I find myself attending career fairs and talking to potential employers about what I want to use my degree for. My career goal is to become a school counselor, but until I obtain my advanced degree, I'll work in just about any field. So to make a long story short, I attended the UB Career Fair this past Monday, March 30. As I walked up to the Johns Hopkins table, I started conversation with one of the women who were there. I saw from the sign posted that they weren't exactly hiring for students with English degrees, but instead of walking away, I decided to talk to her. Big mistake. Here's how the conversation went:

Woman: "So what's your degree in? What's your background?"
Me: "English with a concentration in Professional Writing."
Woman: "Really? Why would you major in English? What can you do with that? I started as an English major, but switched because you can't do anything with it."
Me: silence...
When I didn't say anything, she excused herself to the bathroom...go figure

Now, I dont know whether or not I was supposed to find this funny or be appalled. First of all, this is a potential employer telling me that my major of choice is "wrong" because I can't do anything with it. As a student, I feel that having an English degree will make me very marketable; I mean, what employer wouldn't want an employee who can communicate effectively on and off paper? At the time she said this, I was in a state of stupor and I wasn't sure how to respond. Luckily, I didn't let my emotions get the best of me.

Often times people ask me why I chose english as my major. My response is simple: Because I enjoy to read, write, and analyze things. I enjoy reading Shakespeare, Chaucer, Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Jane Austen, and Charles Dickens; I enjoy writing papers (as crazy as that may sound) and I enjoy not just reading the novels, but also examining the themes and motifs in those novels. I don't think there's anything wrong with majoring in a subject you enjoy, after all, YOU are paying your tuition. I worked full time through school to pay my tuition, so I might as well major in something I enjoy. I was a psychology major during my freshman and sophomore years, only because I wanted to be a Psychiatrist (since doctor's make money). But the one thing I had to realize is that if I'm going to be in college for four years, I might as well enjoy it. (No offense to any Psychology majors out there). So if there's anybody reading this who may be confused as to what to choose as your major, or if you're considering changing your major, make sure you choose a subject that you enjoy and that fulfills you.

Until next time UB...

P.S. I didn't walk away from the career fair empty-handed. I filled out an application with a potential employer, and they accepted it, English degree and all.