Dear Editor,

I am writing in response to Trinity Carey’s column published in the February 23, 2017 issue of the North Wind. Ms. Carey makes an admirable case for following one’s passion, for finding “value not just in my paycheck,” but also in “how I earn it.” Like her, I was an English major as an undergraduate, and I’ve followed my passions for decades—teaching literacy in county jails, editing literary magazines, writing books, and teaching college students. I value every minute of my career.

I want to emphasize that following your passion does not have to mean living in poverty. I often hear disparaging remarks about students majoring in the humanities, remarks that suggest they will find no viable employment options. These remarks are uninformed. The primary difference between majoring in English, French, or philosophy and majoring in business or nursing isn’t whether you’ll get a job—it’s how you go about getting that job.

Rather than focusing on the title of their degree, students in the humanities focus on the skills they’ve acquired—oral and written communication, critical and imaginative thinking. Recent articles in the Wall Street Journal and other publications have highlighted the fact that these are exactly the skills employers currently seek. Jobs for humanities graduates are out there—don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. If your passion is literature or writing, come by the English Department. Let’s chat.

Sincerely,
Dr. Lynn Domina
Head and Professor
English Department