Why an English Degree is More Valuable than You Think

Let’s be honest: English degrees get a bad rap. People often joke that studying English will only prepare you for two things —becoming a barista or teaching more people to get English degrees. But here’s the kicker: that stereotype couldn’t be further from the truth. In reality, the skills you develop with your English degree are everywhere in the real world, quietly driving careers that you might never expect.

Take a moment and think about what English majors are really learning. We’re talking about the power of communication, critical thinking, storytelling, and creativity. And those skills? They’re essential in today’s job market.

But don’t just take my word for it —check out these celebrities! Believe it or not, some of the most successful and influential people on the planet have English degrees. You probably know their names, but you might not know how their English background helped shape their careers.

Conan O’Brien

Yep, the late-night funnyman himself. Before he was cracking jokes on TV, Conan O’Brien was studying at Harvard, earning an English degree. His ability to craft witty, engaging, and sharp humor comes from his training in language, storytelling, and communication. Think about it: writing jokes and producing a TV show require more than humor—it’s about understanding narrative flow, audience engagement, and words.

Mitt Romney

Before Mitt Romney became a U.S. Senator and presidential candidate, he earned a B.A. in English from Brigham Young University. His English degree helped him develop strong communication and analytical skills, crucial in both his political campaigns and business ventures. Whether delivering speeches or running for office, Romney’s ability to craft persuasive arguments is rooted in the skills he honed while studying English.

Margaret Atwood

Picture this: Margaret Atwood, today’s oracle of dystopia, once sat in university lectures, dissecting the very fabric of narrative just as deftly as she dissects society’s foibles in “The Handmaid’s Tale.” With her English degrees from the University of Toronto and Radcliffe College, Atwood spins tales that mirror reality, wielding her pen like a prophet. Her books aren’t just stories; they’re warnings —crafted not in a crystal ball, but between the lines of her college ruled notebooks.

Dr. Sally Ride

From analyzing metaphors to maneuvering spacecraft, Dr. Sally Ride’s journey from English literature at Stanford to the star-studded expanses of space is nothing short of stellar. Who says English majors don’t do rocket science? Sally Ride blasted through both literary and literal atmospheres, proving that narrative arcs and orbital arcs aren’t worlds apart. The next time you read about her historic spaceflight, remember: her adventure started with the poetry of words, paving the way to the poetry of the cosmos.

Stephen King

Before the nightmares, there were term papers. Stephen King, the undisputed czar of horror, began his reign in the quiet stacks of the University of Maine, where his English degree turned him from a student of prose to a master of suspense. Crafting novels that chill to the bone, King’s stories —from the telekinetic terror of “Carrie” to the eerie corridors of “The Shining” —bear the hallmark of his literary training. His knack for building tension? Perfected during late nights studying narrative arcs, not just from ghost stories told by flashlight.

Emma Watson

That’s right, Hermione herself went on to get an English degree from Brown University. Even after playing one of the most iconic characters in modern cinema, Watson saw the value in pursuing higher education in English. Beyond acting, Watson has become a global advocate for women’s rights, crafting powerful speeches and campaigns. Her studies gave her the ability to articulate ideas and activism on global platforms like the UN.

John Green

Oh, the feels! Before he was making us sob with “The Fault in Our Stars,” John Green was honing his prose at Kenyon College with a B.A. in English. His command of language and emotion not only fuels his novels but also powers his mission to demystify complex subjects through his educational YouTube ventures. Who knew English could be so heart-wrenching?

Clarence Thomas

Before he was interpreting the Constitution in the highest court of the land, Clarence Thomas was parsing prose at the College of the Holy Cross. His degree in English Literature laid down the law of the literary land for him, honing his analytical skills that are now signature in his Supreme Court rulings. Think of every court opinion as a carefully crafted essay, where every word counts and the stakes are always high—skills sharpened not just in legal briefs, but in the margins of his English textbooks.

Alan Rickman

Yes, even the man who brought Severus Snape to life valued the power of the pen as much as the wand. With an M.A. in English Literature from Chelsea College of Art and Design, Rickman’s profound understanding of narrative depth translated seamlessly into his spellbinding performances. Whether as the brooding Snape or the cunning Hans Gruber, his literary background allowed him to deliver lines that resonated deeply with audiences worldwide.

Demetra Paizanis is the Communications Coordinator and a content creation expert for A&M–Central Texas.