Why Every Business Major Should Have a Background in English
how entreprenEurs can flex their minds
by Reyna Jerrell
Pursuing a major in Business Marketing with a minor in English
by Christine Henseler
As we head into a post COVID-19 era, we are poised to disrupt nearly every aspect of society. The rules governing everything from the jobs we have to the ways we communicate and interact with one another will likely be rewritten or radi- cally changed in ways that are nearly impossible to foresee right now. Business people and entrepreneurs will have pow- erful tools at their disposal, helping them accom- plish more than ever with fewer resources. Older jobs and industries will die out, while others we can hardly imagine today will take their place. With such a dynamic landscape ahead, those with the most flexible minds will have an advantage. The pace of change, expected to accelerate even further, will demand lifelong learning in order to keep up. These conditions actually favor a humanities edu- cation over STEM. The problems will be ill-defined, and the solutions to life’s problems will be far more open-ended. With much of the dangerous and repetitive work becoming automated, it will be up to the humans to do what they do best - be creative and be human. With the whole world needing to adapt to a new set of circumstances, those in the humanities will have a wide array of
human history and culture to draw from in search of tools that can make a life worth living in this new age. Students of language can be among the first to master communications through new media. His- torians will draw parallels between events in the past and events unfolding in the future in order to draw important lessons. Philosophers can think logically and propose solutions to some of the greatest ethical dilemmas of this new era. Litera- ture students will help us think critically about the stories we tell and the media we consume. Students of culture will excel at connecting to and understanding different audiences, and art - ists will help us find and communicate meaning in a rapidly changing world. Even if these students don’t go into a directly as - sociated industry, studying the humanities will provide them with the flexible minds and unique - ly human skills that will make them valuable in the coming economic business landscape. Those who become entrepreneurs will have the greatest advantage. They will be able to lead their organi- zations with these skills at their disposal, making them better able to handle the challenges pre- sented to them in this new world.
What’s So Different About the Two?
Most people wouldn’t consider an English mi - nor helpful in the business world, but English and business go hand in hand. While business will give you knowledge and skills that give you the flexibility to work in a variety of roles across many industries, English and literature build critical thinking skills and the ability to communicate. Communication skills are a ne- cessity to being successful in business. An Eng - lish minor will give all the necessary skills to be proficient in communication and writing.
Business tends to focus on the facts, and also tends to look at things as “black and white” or “all or nothing”. English is the complete oppo - site. Creativity and outside-of-the-box think- ing is exactly what English is about. English and literature can help promote more free- thinking and imagination. Free-thinking and imagination are what keeps ideas alive and keeps the business world thriving.
Do What’s Right for You.
How Can English Help in Business?
In the end, your degree should make you hap- py. No matter what you plan to do with your business major, having an English minor will give you an advantage. Being able to com- municate and write properly can help with re- sumes, interviews, and talking to anyone from clients to superiors. You will definitely impress your peers, but more importantly, you’ll im- press yourself. Whether you’re already set on a business major or just now picking a college a business degree with an English minor is a great choice.
Communication and writing may seem like something everyone is good at, and to a de- gree, most people with a high school diploma can articulate well enough to get their point across, but the business world is a cutthroat industry. Being one step ahead of competitors is key to being successful, and having amazing writing, communication, and critical thinking skills might just push your resume past your competitors.
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