To be honest, I declared a major in English because I like to read and write, figuring I would probably change majors at some point once I had a more firm career goal. That never happened, in part because I found I immensely enjoyed the English classes I took at Geneseo, and I graduated with a B.A. in English Literature and a minor in Psychology.
Studying English at Geneseo led me down an unexpected path both during and after my undergrad years. While at Geneseo, I took a wide variety of classes but found that I was most passionate about literature giving voice to marginalized people, and I found myself selecting classes such as Visibility and Invisibility in American Literature, Literature of the African Diaspora, African American Literature, and so on. An interest in postcolonial literature and the African Diaspora in part inspired me to study abroad in South Africa, which was the most enriching semester of my college career. Wishing to live and work abroad for a longer period of time, after graduation I decided to join the Peace Corps. As a Peace Corps volunteer I spent two years teaching English and Math to grades 7 and 8 students in a rural village in Namibia.
After 27 months in Namibia (and an additional four months traveling around the world) I moved to New York City and got a job as the Executive Assistant to the Deputy Director at Project Renewal, a NYC based non-profit whose mission is to break the cycle of homelessness by empowering homeless individuals with health, homes, and jobs. After one year at Project Renewal, I decided to further my education in the social services field, and last year I began the One Year Residency Program at Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College.
There's a perception that a degree in English literature is less useful than, say, a business degree. However, I've found throughout my postgrad years that nothing could have better prepared me for my career and life. The research, analytic, critical thinking and writing skills I learned at Geneseo have been essential to my work as a teacher and social worker. Never underestimate how much writing skills are valued — and how few people possess them. When I was hired at Project Renewal my supervisor told me that it was the thank-you note I had sent after our interview that got me the job, because she was thrilled that I could write. Spending four years critically analyzing texts has been immensely useful as a social worker, as I've found clinical practice to be a hands-on application of the same skills. Analyzing a character's motivations and applying theoretical thought is surprisingly similar to interviewing and assessing clients in a clinical setting. Furthermore, I believe studying English an excellent preparation for life in general. English majors read widely and have a large knowledge base, as well as curiosity. We're always reading, and that makes us interesting! People who read also tend to have more empathy, which is essential to connecting with and being able to work well with individuals from all backgrounds and lifestyles.
I am so thankful for many reasons for my decision to major in English. Not only did I get to spend four years reading excellent books with brilliant professors and classmates, but I can't imagine a course of study that would have been a better preparation for my life and career.