Let's be frank about it. We all love English studies.

From the time our parents start reading to us until the day we die, we enjoy reading books, watching films, writing, hearing and telling stories. Have you ever noticed what people do on airplanes or in airports? Yes, English studies—reading, writing, newspapers, magazines, films, books are everywhere. Do you see anyone doing other studies for fun in the airport?

Do you remember the joy of learning to read chapter books? Do you remember the excitement of learning to write? Do you still get a rush of excitement opening a new novel? Do you get excited watching your ideas go from conception onto a printed page or onto a web page? Ah, yes, that's why a few of us lucky ones get to continue for a lifetime devoted to English studies. We just don't want to give up the joys, the pleasures, the challenges of words. We want to read everything. We want to write what we know and feel. We want to be entertained and to learn from books. So many great authors to read. So many novels to discover. So many poems to feel. So many news stories to get. So many books to edit and publish. So many web sites to design. Ah, English studies!

It should not be surprising to you that English studies are the main constant in all schools (from kindergarten through Ph.D. levels of study). The two primary activities of all education are learning to read and write, which is why there are so many diverse opportunities for students who go into English studies—English majors become teachers, writers, researchers, editors, publishers, lawyers, technical communicators, copywriters, corporate analysts, human resource managers, librarians, program managers, grant writers, journalists and web designers. We have the joy of reading and the valuable literacy skills to have highly desirable, successful careers. That's why English majors rock!

That's it. We go into English studies because it has both great personal intrinsic rewards AND so many opportunities for professional extrinsic rewards. What could be greater than getting paid for what we love doing? We have great personal lives and great careers.

Of course, English studies is not for everyone, even though everyone loves the products of our work. With so many people trying to pursue a life of literature and writing and publishing, it is a very competitive field. You need to love reading and read a lot. You need to be an excellent writer and want to become an even better writer. You need to be willing to commit your entire mind and dedicate your time to self-improvement. You will have to learn about self-initiative and creativity and you will need to become a bit hard-boiled by critical response and rejection. If you can take the heat, you will have a rewarding life-long career in English studies.

But this is just the short answer! Check out our FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS about majoring in English.