I decided to major in English because I have always had a true love of literature, been an avid reader, and wanted to explore these passions in an academically rigorous setting. Intentionally in my undergraduate career, I believed that my English major would prepare me to attend law school in pursuit of a career in educational law. However, I knew deep down that my enthusiastic and sympathetic personality was more inclined to educational activities than legal ones. In the middle of my sophomore year, after contemplating my extracurricular activities and consulting my mentors at Geneseo, I was finally able to articulate that I wanted to pursue a career in higher education, specifically student affairs.
Almost immediately following graduating from Geneseo, I started in my current position as the Assistant Hall Director for Living-Learning Communities at the University at Buffalo. While working in this role, I also attend graduate school at UB in pursuit of my Masters of Education in Higher Education with a concentration in student affairs administration. The knowledge that I gained as an English major is invaluable in both my career and furthering my education. My oral and written communication skills are used every single day in both big and small ways such as composing emails, running staff meetings, assisting in the training of new paraprofessional staff, giving presentations on cultural diversity — the list goes on. Perhaps the most useful ability I owe to Geneseo’s English department (apart from my critical grammar and MLA editing eye) is the ability to think critically and question the development and justification of popular practice or convictions in academia.
My advice to current English majors is to truly explore the plethora of options and career fields available to English majors. Take a GOLD workshop, talk to Career Development, do an internship in something that has sparked your interest even if you are not 100% sure that it is what you want to do with your life. Do not get caught in the trap that English majors can only be teachers or lawyers, which are both great careers if they are what you truly want to pursue but are not the only options. English is just as valuable as other majors and fields, so do not discount or undervalue the education you are receiving. The skills you are learning now will make you stand out in the future.