This is why I laugh each time some FReeper says the only valuable college majors are related to math, sciences, accounting, etc. I contend English majors still have their place.
I am one of those who believe that if you want to get a job, your best bet is to graduate college with a technical major in math, science, technology, medicine, IT. Something hard and useful with a limited number of people who can do it and are licensed/certified to do it. Not only is it easier to find work but generally it pays better and has better job advancement.
I have never said taking English in college is bad for you. All I’ve ever said is that type of major will make it difficult to get a job because your major is not something tghat translates directly and instantly into the workplace. There are millions and millions of college graduates who you have to compete with that are competent in English. Being an English major gives you a very low starting point on finding a job, let alone a good paying job. That kind of major means the job candidate better be a go getter with drive and good people skills because you are constantly going to be selling yourself and your skills.
You can be a social zero with an RN nurse license and there will still be places beating down your door to give you a job. Not so with English majors.
I am a technical editor. I take the product of others (engineers) and make it palatable to the end user/customer.
Lemme tell ya, writing is a lost art, and the product I work with overwhelmingly sucks red baboon butt. The foreigners at least have an excuse: They’re foreigners.
If not for poor writing skills, I would be unemployed!