I'll Not Work at McDonald's
Unless your parent is an academician, then expect quizzical looks after you reveal your literary aspirations. What can it bring to the table? Don't be hurt if you hear McDonald's. It might be an option after you earn your degree.
Consider Shaun, who led a carefree lifestyle. He had little interest in studying, which didn't alarm his parents. (He came from an affluent background.) And then his best friend was killed in a surfing accident. It forced Shaun to ponder his future. He decided to pursue a literary career after reading a novel about a beach. Marcus Skinner wrote it. If you guess Alex Garland's influential book, then you're dead wrong. And who the hell is Skinner? Google Search didn't yield anything. This is the premise of “Orange County”, about the search for life's meaning. (And you'll sing "I Love You, California" before the end credits roll.) Shaun would face an uncertain future.
The economy is picking up, but it will be better to be sensible. This is the reason why many incoming college students choose an academic degree in the maths and sciences. There are many options awaiting graduating students. It's the same with English majors, but salary is another thing. Unless you have a support group, then motivation can be a problem.
It's about career options. You'll get somewhere, but keep an open mind. Be flexible. Here are other words of wisdom:
Even your professor worries about the future. You don't keep abreast of the news if you're unaware of this alarming trend: The declining number of English majors. Members of the faculty are finding ways to make the program appealing to students. (And McDonald's is not part of the menu.) Must you look at other academic degrees? Not yet. If you have confidence in your ability, then you don't have nothing to worry about.
Classic literature is still relevant. Hollywood will attest to it, after the countless adaptations of Shakespeare's plays. If not the Bard, then Jane Austen's works. (The author might channel her inner Lizzie Bennet after learning about sexism in the film industry.) Old English can be challenging, which may take you hours (or days) to understand it. However, the story will take you to a bygone era. It will make you think of the present. A rewarding experience, without a doubt.
Good writing means competence. So you can add, subtract, multiply, and divide. How can it do wonders for your CV? A Math major may write a paper on it. For an English major, a career like Dan Brown's is in the cards. A short stint in McDonald's too. No need to be defensive, as you must start from scratch.
