Friends are skeptical when I tell them I’d like to be an English major. “What are you going to do with an English major,” they ask. I answer, “What can I NOT do with an English major?”More and more people are focusing on science and mathematics, according to a news report by the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Many parents want their children to pursue pre-med or engineering once they graduate high school.

The common complaint that arises is how students can apply what they learned in humanities to actual jobs. It is true that one could end up working in fast food with an English major; however, a variety of other pathways exist for those brave enough to earn a humanities degree. This includes careers in Law, Government, Public Administration, Communication, Education, and Business, all of which require writing, a key skill that the study of humanities effectively teaches. One might question what writing has to do with these positions, but in fact, writing engenders analytical, persuasive, and critical thinking skills that are crucial for those types of careers. Those exact skills are used to argue in a court of law or to promote a new product. The significance of studying humanities always appears in widespread professions that are sometimes seemingly related.

Studying the Humanities opens up a different perspective on life. It encourages clear, objective thinking. Literature and history from the past have survived because of the philosophies and lessons they teach. Medical and engineering careers may appear to be better majors to pursue because they help society in a practical, straightforward way, but the study of humanities triggers intellectual growth that is needed to inspire medical and technological advances.

The decision, of course, belongs to the students. I am not contending that students shouldn’t pursue majors in pre-med or engineering. These are wonderful careers that require a great amount of perseverance and knowledge to acquire. Success in any major depends on a student’s motivation and self-interest. However, humanities can be beneficial to students in different circumstancesas well. People who truly understand and apply the lessons of the Humanities in their lives know that it contributes to a valuable legacy of human history.