Everyone’s been posting about their own experiences struggling with what it means to be an English major, so I figured it was time for me to jump on the bandwagon. Why did I choose this major over one of the many more practical ones which are “targeted at specific areas of the graduate market and service the economy with ‘human capital’ in concrete ways” (Moran 18)? Because I do not view myself as merely an asset to society, equipped with certain skills which I am obligated to hone because I have a duty to the economy. I’m not living for others, I am living for myself. And English means something to me. Creative writing is one of the primary ways in which I express myself. Discussing great literature makes me feel like a part of something bigger. Reading inspires me and helps me escape. I think there is a beauty in the way language works. I enjoy editing because it involves chipping away at imperfections in writing in order to uncover this beauty. I am trying to teach myself as much as possible about linguistics because it deals with the science behind this beauty.
I am worried about what the job market will hold for me post-graduation, but probably not as worried as I should be. Right now, I am just enjoying learning more about, and growing in, a subject which has come to mean a lot to me- English.