English

Contrary to the popular belief that only future teachers and writers should major in English, students choosing this major are prepared for diverse careers—as attorneys, financial planners, editors, researchers, bankers and entrepreneurs, to name only a few. Skills developed and refined through the major in English include critical thinking, writing and editing, speaking, researching and synthesizing and organizing ideas. What’s more, the broad literary background not only develops critical reading and encourages creativity but also provides a foundation for students to interact with people from diverse backgrounds and professions. In addition, many in graduate and professional schools consider an undergraduate English degree excellent preparation for advanced study, even in such professions as medicine, because of the importance of effective thinking, communication and interpersonal skills. Many deans of law schools and lawyers themselves consider the English major extremely desirable preparation for law school because of the notion that, as Judge Evan Sperline has said, a lawyer is “an artisan whose only tools are words.” Whatever the student’s future career path, overall, the strength of the Lambuth English major is demonstrated in the 100 percent acceptance rate for those applying to graduate school in English, law and/or MAT programs. Clear thinking, writing and communicating are assets in any business or profession.