For those of us in majors that seem to get lost in translation between the classroom and the real world--those of us who are constantly defending the practicality of knowing adverbs--the other side of that graduation stage is terrifying place. But don’t despair, you have skills! It’s true. Your grandpa is still right; nobody cares if you know the date of the Bolshevik revolution when you’re taking orders at Burger King, but you can hold off on folding that diploma into a paper hat. Why can I tell you this with such confidence? Answer: I have seen the charts.

Monmouth College was recently visited by Dr. Rob Prescott, the associate department chair and M.A. program coordinator at Bradley University. His topic was “Careers for English Majors (and other literate people),” and he spoke to a group of English students and professors in the Barnes Electronic Classroom in the Hewes Library on Wednesday, April 2. He was accompanied by 2005 Monmouth graduate and current Bradley graduate student, Eric Seaman. While the afternoon’s program was specific to job opportunities for English majors, History and Philosophy students should also take heart.

Prescott presented on material from his recently completed book manuscript, “Why to Major in English if You’re NOT Going to Teach.” He did extensive footwork to find out what undergraduate English majors do after college. From that information, he was able to generate statistics about which sectors of the workplace are most accommodating to new graduates with English degrees.

Prescott shared some practical tips for what to look for in job ads, and how to fit resumes to specific ads. He also presented information on how English majors stack up against other majors in entry-level pay.

Prescott claimed that skills developed through writing and talking about literature make English majors creative and adaptable employees. Prescott said that English majors typically have a highly marketable skill set, including proficiency in analysis, oral communication, interpersonal skills, writing, research and computer skills. He encouraged students to “be comfortable putting themselves on paper.”

Prescott was particularly interested in “why English majors belong in business,” and his book even includes a foreward by Vice President for North American Operations, Caterpillar International, Bill Mayo, who identifies English majors as some of the most valuable candidates in the job market.   

Seaman is currently working on an M.A. in professional writing, and has an assistantship in the office for sponsored programs at Bradley. He shared his experiences in creating and writing a research newsletter and grant requests for the college.

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