The one thing that many students worry about after college is getting a job. With the unemployment rate being over five percent, there is always a need for college students to worry. But how can a student improve their resume and to not be a part of that five percent unemployment rate? There are numerous ways to improve a resume, like interning in one’s field, but one of the many ways a student can improve their resume is by majoring or minoring in the liberal arts field English.

In an article written by Carolyn Gregoire from The Huffington Post, it has been reported by data collected from Georgetown Center on Education and The Workforce, “right after graduating, English majors reported 9.8 percent unemployment, while economics and political science graduates came in at 10.4 and 11.1 percent [respectively].”

But the question is why are businesses more likely to hire those who majored in English? The answer is simple, as said by Mark Sutton, a Kean University English professor, “English majors are taught how to do three things:  read, write, and think critically.  All of these skills are applicable to every career.” Many people can agree with Sutton, including Bruna Martinuzzi, the president of Clarion Enterprises. Martinuzzi, who has written an article for americanexpress.com about why business are more likely to hire those with an English degree. Below are some of the reasons: 

• Communication Skills: Communication is needed for every business. How other way can a business receive customers? Having the skill to communication is one of the many things that English majors possess. A survey by Job Outlook Survey discovered that many businesses are looking for great communication skills in a potential employee. The reason behind the fact that English majors are such great communicators is because they learn to speak and write well, know how to defend a subject well, and knows an extensive amount of vocabulary.
• Writing Skills: This skill also coincides with communication a great deal. Businesses need to attract people to what they are selling, and someone who graduated with an English degree always come in handy. Those who majored in English are trained to write well and think creatively. Writing well “goes beyond getting the commas right,” comments Professor Sutton.  With their knowledge of writing, English degree graduates can easily draw the attention of buyers by writing a creative description of a product. Businesses also need to attract potential clients through email and phone calls, causing writing an attractive pitch line to fall on the writer.
• Empathy: Many people may wonder why a company needs empathy, but many companies actually list empathy as a qualification for new hires. These companies do not only include hospitals and such, but technology companies like Microsoft and Dell would like their employees to be empathetic. Business relationships run more smoothly when employees exhibit empathy, sales increase and there is an increase of diversity in the work area. A University of Toronto study discovered that those who read a lot of fictional books, which English majors do, tend to have a great deal of understanding of another person’s feelings. That is because those who read a lot of fiction have a great understanding of a character by entering into the character’s state of mind and the presented situation.

“All of these skills are applicable to every career,” continues Professor Sutton on writing, reading and critically thinking, “however, English goes beyond teaching just skills.  It encourages students to analyze the situation they are in and determine the appropriate response.” Professor Sutton continues to say that he and other professors “can’t teach students exactly what to do in order to write in these forms.” But what English professors can teach their students is to ask the right questions in order to write those forms.  

Another English professor at Kean University, Jan Balakian comments that “there is no more important major than English. Literature teaches us how to be in the world; and reading trains our minds to think critically, not just to memorize facts.”  Balakin continues to comment how all business majors should read All My Sons by Arthur Miller. She explains how in the book a father learns how to see beyond the dollar.  “Students need to reflect on whether they will compromise their integrity for the mighty dollar.”

One of the most important aspects of a successful business is someone who can speak well publicly. “Public speaking…is important,’’ comments Professor Balakin, “I think all students should take public speaking, as well as a [course] in literature and writing.” Students can improve not only their writing, but their speaking skills through reading, which will enhance their vocabulary.

Another reason why companies like to hire those who have a degree in English is because people who hold that degree can basically go into any career. There are many successful people who have majored in English and have gone into careers like political science. These people include: television host Conan O’ Brien, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Bain Capital and former governor of Massachusetts Mitt Romney, journalist Bob Woodward, who received fame for writing about the Watergate Scandal in 1972, and co-executive producer and former co-host of The View Barbra Walters.

Although many people may not believe that majoring in English is not such a great idea, at least taking a few electives can help a student sharpen their communication and writing skills. The English language is one of the most important languages to learn and know well, meaning that having a strong grasp of the English language by the time a student is applying for a professional job is vital. “Like I tell my students, words are the most powerful weapon humanity's been allowed to keep…English, ideally, gives us the knowledge of how to use this power ethically,” comments Professor Sutton.  “ But his advice does not end there. He continues to say, “to be blunt and direct, people who can't communicate appropriately will not get a job.  The world has become an information economy, where ideas have value and weight.  People who can't express themselves clearly can't be part of that economy.”