Thinking of Studying English? Here’s Why It Still Pays Off in 2026

In today’s technologized and globalized world, is pursuing a degree in English too old-fashioned? How far is a degree in literature relevant to the current highly skills-focused market? Does studying BA English mean you only study literature? Will this course be too theoretical with no practical edge? Well, the answers to all these myths are an emphatic NO. In fact, an undergraduate degree in liberal arts with a major in English is one of the most lucrative, cross-disciplinary, and advanced courses that opens countless doors to a variety of professions.

The English curriculum today is far from being traditional. Gone are the days when the undergraduate syllabi were an admixture of works of established writers along with literary theories alone. Today, students are exposed to far more interdisciplinary papers such as Digital Humanities, Literature and Cinema, English Language and Literature in the Age of Artificial Intelligence, Creative Writing, Media Writing, Research Methodology, Script and Screenplay, among others, along with a solid grounding in foundational literary texts of writers from across the globe. Literary theory, too, has expanded its frontiers to enable an understanding of contemporary perspectives through Spatial Studies, Urban Studies, Oceanic Studies, Blue Humanities, Medical Humanities, and studies in the Anthropocene.

As one can make out from the titles of the papers themselves, a student studying literature today is at greater liberty to do anything literally with their degrees! In an era that is being transformed by Artificial Intelligence, it must be noted that English majors are in demand more than ever! This is because their edge lies in critical thinking and creative skills, which enable a better and more resourceful use of technology. Studying English empowers students with the skills to ask important questions and read and analyze life situations with nuance and understanding. Such abilities go a long way for English graduates in helping them acquire highly marketable skills that situate them in an advantageous position in a volatile and unpredictable global job scenario. One just needs to have a good look around to notice English majors leaving their mark in practically every field! Journalism, media, content design, research, marketing and public relations, law, consulting, governmental and non-governmental organizations, arts, academia, Search Engine Optimization (SEO) management, UX writing, digital brand strategy, translation/interpretation and public relations are just a few prospects that are open for English majors today.

Perhaps what is most distinctive about English graduates is their grooming in valuable life skills, irrespective of the career paths they choose. English majors spend their undergraduate years dealing with narratives of every kind—fiction, non-fiction, prose, poetry, drama, and criticism, which exposes them to different cultures, multiple viewpoints, and life stories. It helps them develop insights into social, cultural, political, and economic aspects of diverse societies and enables them to appreciate cultural nuances and different ways of thinking. Students gain crucial life skills like interpersonal communication, cross-cultural communication, empathy, patience, resilience, apart from obviously sharpening memory and comprehension skills through reading and cultivating written and spoken English. One can sum up by noting that while a degree in literature is about lucrative careers in a certain measure, its scope is not exhausted by this factor alone. Its remarkable value lies in something much more concrete and important—i.e. its role in shaping us as critically thinking individuals, culturally aware citizens and persuasive communicators who are connected to their past as relevant to the present and mindful of the future course of humanity.

Dr. Girija Suri,
Assistant Professor (English)
Department of English and Humanities
School of Humanities, Social Sciences and Liberal Arts