I am graduating as a English major in may and don't know what to do because an eng. major is so broad. I am told that you can do so much with it. I have an interest in fashion and magazines. I have never written for any kind of publication. I feel like I should just go to grad school to get a masters in english, but i don't know...I suppose I could also get a masters in journalism. I am so confused. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!! Thanks
133655
Journalism\n\nTake classes (for teaching credential) while you work as an aide or teacher in elementary/middle school(try private schools because they don't always require credential)\n\nIf you like young children, work as a preschool aide and take classes for early childhood education in community colleges(cheaper than universities). These classes will be so easy to you since you've survived the college. It doesn't take too long to be a master teacher.\n\nTutorer\n\nGoing to grad school sounds good. But without a clear career goal you are going to ask the same question when you get out of it with a Master's degree.
319613
"1) Who in here has a job/career that actually utilizes your college education/degree?" \nMine does. I am earning a BA in English and I tutor English to ESL students. I plan on teaching ESL when I graduate.\n\n"2) Did you get a job that you've always wanted (that's why you majored in the field to prepare yourself for it)?"\nWell, I didn't always want to be an ESL teacher. I started tutoring and found that I loved doing it. So, in the end, I did get the job I wanted, I just didn't know I would want it!\n\n"3) Is your current job right now the complete opposite of what your degree is for?"\nNo, this is completely in line with the experience I am getting from my classes.
143073
When I was an undergrad freaking out about my major, the best advice I got was to do the following: Pick up a copy of your university's catalog, somewhere near the front of it will most likely be a list of all the possible majors at your school.  Now, go through and cross off everything you know you definitly DON'T want to do.\n\nIt was simple advice but it helped me so much.  I was overwhelmed with possibilities, once I was able to narrow down my options (in this way), I felt like I could more easily choose.  \n\nI think that will help you a lot.\n\nThen, yes, go talk to your advisor and anyone else you know that has a job you might be interested in.\n\nAnd finally, your major does not decide your life.  Most businesses are interested in you having an undergraduate degree, from there you can always go to graduate school once you have a more specific set of career goals.
153964
The top UK universities for humanities subjects (e.g. Cambridge, Oxford, UCL, Nottingham, etc.) tend to have more academic undergraduate courses and so wouldn't offer journalism as a separate course - though it might be one of the papers in the later years of the course. At postgraduate level at those universities it would also be more likely to be a study on journalism and journalists, rather than "how to be a journalist".\n\nFrom speaking to journalist friends, rather than doing a degree in journalism they recommend doing a humanities subject (e.g. English, History, Geography) at a good university while building up a good track record and portfolio of published articles.
366813
I dropped out, went to work, got my credit , bought my stuff then had to work and pay it off and it is never ending..I wished I had not dropped out and stayed with it..as far as a Major..well that is a tuffy...You won't really know what you want until you experience more of life..all you can do is pick something and hang in until you see something that strikes your fancy..any advanced formal education is a zillion times better than none..Check out some testing to see where your interest are and then maybe pursue education leading to something you like and enjoy doing..A degree will get your foot in the door, now sell yourself, you can always go for a masters later on..It's ok to take a break but don't get bogged down in the silly, unimportant stuff..DON'T STAY AWAY FROM YOUR EDUCATION TO LONG...or you might never go back..Good Luck to you, take care and you'll find your niche!
328534
I would suggest majoring in one or two languages, and minoring in something like business or poli sci.  These are not topics that make me jump for joy either, but they help you keep your options open.  Foreign languages can be used in a variety of settings, so it's always good to be flexible…and, let's face it, a majority of the careers that you will find with a degree in foreign languages will be related to business, government, or education.  The reason I don't suggest a minor in education is that it wouldn't help you post-graduation; you'd have to major to get your teaching credentials.*\n\nIf you majored in Spanish and live in the US, you certainly could do some kind of work with community or non-profit organizations.  \n\nWith languages, diplomatic work also suggests itself as a possibility. \n\nAnother logical choice–not the best choice, necessarily, but something that logically flows from studying several languages–is a graduate degree in linguistics, comparative literature, or the literature of one particular language.  I've studied several Romance languages and Latin, and this is the career path I chose.  Unless you go into linguistics/language acquisition, jobs tend to be hard to come by.\n\nHope that helps.\n\n-Fuz\n\n*One more thing: if you know of some field that you are interested in besides languages, minor in that instead.       Say you like art; minor in art or art history.  That could open up careers in museum/gallery work, for example.
373177
A degree is always helpful...especially in English. A command of the English language can lead to many professions...as well as giving you proper tools to always be understood. For journalism, just add a couple of writing courses to introduce you to style and concept. Also...with a vivid imagination you can become a writer or novelist.
310177
Yep, the internship route is usually the best way.  I'd also think about doing something on fashion at your college newspaper.  The advantage there is that you can pretty much do what you want, but when you intern at a local company (perhaps the local newspaper), you'll probably be stuck doing obituaries or something until you get some experience.  Basically, it's tough to just walk right in to the position you want.  You normally have to work your way in.
524005
Just about no one know what they want to do when they get to college and if they think they do, 9 times out of 10, that changes. That's why in many schools you don't even declare a major until your sophmore year at the earliest. \n\nSchools know that it is a good idea for freshman to arrive and acclimate themselves to their surroundings before worrying about a major. They need to actually experience classes in different disciplines before picking your major. So many people go in thinking about one major, but eventually change to a related or sometimes unrelated discipline. I thought I would be a Poli Sci major, but after Intro to Poli Sci, I knew that wasn't going to happen. I eventually became an English/Communication double major.\n\nMy advice is to wait and keep an open mind about majors. When you get there concentrate on fufilling your general requirements (the general liberal arts base required of all students enrolled) before looking at specialized courses. Experience as many different areas as you can. There will be plenty of time for picking a major in the next semester or two. Don't worry!
275249
First start writing. If you want to be a writer,write!\nTake classes. If you lack the practical experience/education at present,lead off with enthusiasm.\nPURSUE YOUR DREAMS!! So many never go for it for fear of looking dumb.Persistence pays off in the end. Be committed!  If you have any degree/certificate in any field add it in.It shows that you can stick to something to its conclusion.  Good hunting!
217647
I just had this explained to me, too! Ok, a major is the actual degree, usually a 4 year degree. A minor is just a specialty. So like, you can Major in English, but minor in Shakespear. Things like that.
137487
Attorneys make more money, of course, but it seems like teaching at the university level would be more rewarding in other ways. Both would be stressful. I hear it's pretty hard to find a professorship, though. But a decent lawyer can always find work. If you're serious about pursuing an MA or a PHD in history, don't expect to have an easy time finding a job after you graduate. I'm thinking about going for an MA in literature. I just think it could be depressing to be a lawyer. I heard a good quote from a lawyer, regarding his job: "There are a lot of trees, but no forest."--In other words, you spend a lot of time poring over papers filled with boring little details, without ever dealing with the things that really matter in life. As a history prof, you'd get to spend more of your time thinking about the bigger issues.
47975
when I did mine, I went to the library and checked out videos of former class graduations. I gained a lot of insight from them, not only on content, but on format. Most begin in a reflective manner and move toward a progressive outlook. If you are graduating from law school, you obviously can write. You also are likely to be a decent public speaker. So, look to see what others have done before you. There may even be a tradition at your school that you do not know about. Also, ask your advisor.
673708
I had the exact same problem in college.  I think a lot of people do.  I was only 17 when I started college. I was so young, I had a great looking boy friend, that was not in college, and I did not know what to major in.  I actually quit college but not forever.  I went back and now, I have 2 college degrees.  \nJust don't give up.\nIf I were you, I would take general education classes or a couple of classes with subject you are interested in until I made a decision on a major.  English, Math, Typing, PE (Aerobics) or Sociology these classes will give you college units. You could also go to school part-time and work part-time.  That is what I did.  This will give you some time to decide on a major.
154257
First, you have to have a notion of what your skills, other than your college degree, are. Second, you have to decide what field interests you, making a list of places, or of people, who can lead you to that field. I, for example, majored in political science and minored in English. I also speak several languages fluently. By putting all those skills together I tried book publishing fields that would eventually permit me to publish - or to represent publishers - internationally. During my career I met many important people and for almost 40 years I traveled and visited 65 countries on my employer's "nickel". I was also awarded two honorary degrees for my contribution to the printed word via the scientific field of the publishing areas in which I was involved.\n\nMy original "break" came from an ad in the Boston Globe. My second "break" came from my looking at an industry journal at the Farmingdale (NY) PUBLIC LIBRARY.\n\nGood luck. If you wish to know more, please e-mail me at: azorean@yahoo.com  after you've looked at my Page: http://www.GeoCities.com/azorean/Index.html    .( The "h" stands for "html").
644363
It makes complete sense on paper to do your MFA at the school you're at now and then  head to a PHD program elsewhere. BUT the only problem is that you end up doing double work. (I've just gone through this whole entire delimma, myself!) PhD programs require a dissertation. Most MFA programs in English also require a 30 page written analysis of something - a thesis. The problem with switching schools is that you have to do the work and research twice because you can't republish your work. \n  I ended up choosing to start an MA program, rather than an MFA one and finding a program that would cater to my own needs, in terms of being able to emphasize in dramatic literature (my focus) for my MA. Rather than having to create a Masters thesis, this program ends in a cummulative test (that's one major diff between MA's and MFA's). Then the program feeds into a PhD program, which will build on whatever creative topic I choose!\n  In short, I recommend considering an MA program that feeds into a PhD program, rather than an MFA. Look at smaller, private colleges because they're more likely to allow you to choose your own emphasis and take classes that really interest you. Also, I found UCSan Francisco is pretty leniant about catering to what you want to do. I ended up at Claremont Graduate university in Southern California, but I don't want to sound like that's where you HAVE to go! Try schools like Loyola Marrymount, Humboldt State, Colorado State, etc.
24519
What do you do for fun?  Try to make a career out of your favorite hobby.  I was majoring in psychology (which I had wanted to do since I was about 15), and a semester into college I realized it was not for me.  I changed to an "undecided" major and stayed in school for another 2 semesters before realizing that I was in the wrong place.  I transfered to a small art school and moved back in with my parents.  I'm one quarter away from graduating with my culinary arts degree and I couldn't be happier.  Don't look for a program that fits you, figure out what it is that you're good at, and then figure out what you have to do to make a living at it.