/lit/ - Literature

Me do words

They do nothing.
They work a job that someone with any other degree could do after realizing spending money/time on a piece of paper that says you can read wasn't going to make them "make it."

They end up washed up, mediocre writers. Those who land some kind of writing job will either want to kill themselves after realizing the job is leftist propaganda and having to write in an obnoxious manner OR will try to trick themselves into thinking they enjoy it.

They'll realize academia is a dead end, seeing they have no chances of becoming a professor. They see that, even when you do get a professorship, the work will drive any passion for literature unto its grave.

They then cope by living plastic, "Bohemian" lives of reading and doing "quirky things" like drinking coffee and picking up hobbies! Then will slowly die before 30, seeing their friends are all more successful than they are.
They'll try to kill themselves twice, and give up on trying to find God because they're too lazy.

>>11597770
harsh but true

You can take either, both lead to pretty similar options. I say to choose one depending on the class requirements you’d enjoy the most. Your phrasing is kind of ambiguous, so if you meant what do you do with a literature/English degree, well... I’ve got one more year left for mine, and my two options are either to pursue a masters in literature or English comp; or to enroll in OCS training and become a marine officer for two active years and then five inactive years the following. After the initial two years, I’ll aim for that masters. And from there maybe more school for PhD, or teaching for a few years and then PhD. Remember if you want to go all the way, like me, I’ve been told to treat it as a marathon rather than a race.

>>11597751
I wanna smoodh her mouth and slip the tongue then succ her dong

>>11597751
they make coffee for engineers and other stem majors. I imagine soon STEM majors will enjoy prima noctae with our women

>>11597782
based

>>11597770
I can see this is the way I’m going but I can’t do anything about it. I don’t have the discipline or interest for something practical and money-making like law, business, engineering, computer science, medicine, etc. My brain just isn’t made in that rational and practical way. Why did God give me this type? Why do I love literature so much, a worthless profession which hardly anyone cares about today and which will make me no money and laughed at and pitied by more successful friends?

>>11597770
still sounds better than my life as a stem wagecuck

Also be mindful of the cynicism you’ll see on this board when careers in English is brought up. Remember that we’re pursuing this because we genially enjoy it. Also as you reach certain landmarks it feels accomplishing. Be mindful of student loans, in grad school you can get positions in writing centers or as assistances, all they way up to teaching intro classes. The school will completely waiver your tuition and fees and pay you an ok amount.
Finding a job in the world never has a clear cut structure, so by saying it’s hopeless or that with ‘x’ you’ll obtain ‘y’ job. No, you don’t know where you’ll end up until once you’re there. And there’s no way of getting to that point without trying.
So if you like reading, learning, discussing, analyzing, theorizing, and so on about literature and similar topics, then why not spent your time doing so. Figure out a way to have enough expenses to live comfortably and go for it. I’ve never been more sure in my life after studying stem and going through interns.

>>11597770
On a serious note, this is true.
Let this be a warning. It's not fun after those 4 years.

If you want money out of life, go stem or business. If English is your passion, and you want to follow your passion. Well, I think you already know what to do anon

>>11597809
This is an example of cope.
It isn't CYNICISM, it is EXPERIENCE. Stop tricking young, bright men into studying their own death.

There are no landmarks. Don't let this poster tell you otherwise. The assistance is reserved for minorites. I know this.
There's nothing "fun" about not knowing where you'll end up in the workforce. It's not a fucking game.
If you like reading, learning, discussing, analyzing, theorizing, and so on about literature and similar topics, then how about you STUDY THESE THINGS BEFORE AND AFTER A PRACTICAL, REWARDING CAREER.

>>11597770
Those that believe what you’ve said and decide against studying English/foreign language are closing a door before even have gone through it. These are all the wrong expectations to have when theorizing about the future. All that you should hope for in the next 10 years is to be healthy. The rest will come naturally and as you trust yourself, you’ll always figure something out. Whether that is in English, or if you’ve closed the English chapter of your life and decided to move on to the next. Follow what you enjoy and where you can continue to be constructive. Don’t be afraid of change, but don’t expect change either. Like I said, it’ll come naturally. And when that time comes, you’ll heed to the call.

>>11597809
>we
who are you speaking for?

>>11597825
You are right. It is YOUR experience. That doesn’t not mean it will be ours. Thank you for the feedback though as always.

(Also not op btw)

>>11597848
The people in the same boat as me and those swaying the options of studying English or not.

>tfw english major and using your degree for your job
feels comfy lads

>>11597850
It WILL be. You're so fucking ignorant, my God, I hope you talk to your counselor or something about your major. I pray you are double majoring in something useful. I hope you are going to reconsider your irrational decision to the money laundering program that is English.
Wake up.

>>11597865
I see and when did you converse with them and gain their permission to speak as their proxy? how many of you are there?

>>11597878
How long ago did you give up anon>>11597882
There’s me and a silent minority that lurks. I tell these people it is ok to follow what they like and that they shouldn’t feel guilty for it.

>>11597882
>>11597895
Given that many are at the age of choosing s direction for the first time in their life. Most likely the first of many

I kinda regret switching from philosophy to computer science. I figured I could read philosophy in my free time but I also could have taught myself pretty much everything CS related I've learned.

>>11597895
Hold on for a minute, You admit that in fact you didn't gain their proxy or speak to this so called "silent majority" you just assumed a multitude agreed with you. So not only are you a liar but you're stupid as well!

>>11597914
Whether they actually exist or not or if I have their permission or not, it does not matter. I have faith that there is someone who is struggling with the decision of choosing what to study out there. I believe their looking for whatever hint that there might be, that’ll lead them to what God (or what you believe God to be) has planned.

>>11597926
Many typos sorry, but it doesn’t change from the belief that someone out there is lost and is looking for direction. It is ok to study English if you enjoy it, it’s as much ok to do this as it is to study stem for job security. You have to try it, and if it doesn’t work out to your liking, then you try again or even something else.

>>11597926
>Whether they actually exist or not or if I have their permission or not, it does not matter. I have faith that there is someone who
Schizophrenics have faith that they speak for many people as well. Some of them believe they are Jesus Christ or the king of Spain but am I to take these assertions as truth because they have faith?

Faith does not make it true and your faith will not wash away your lies. You are a false Shepard.

>>11597952
I am not more of a false Shepard than those that are trying to dissuade those from studying English

>>11597956
I care not for english nor what students or weak minded teenagers do. I only care about the truth and separating the wheat from the chaff. The day will come when your firstborn son is born blind and your crops will not grow and once you think you've lost everything I will come by and skin you and you will work your fields by moonlight as a skeleton.

>>11597770
>they
I think you mean (you)

>>11597825
>STUDY THESE THINGS BEFORE AND AFTER A PRACTICAL, REWARDING CAREER.
there are people out there who don't find practical careers rewarding
the humanities exists largely for these people.

so, what did you guys do with your english majors?

I'm studying International Affairs with a concentration on applied languages.

A-am I gonna make it, bros?

>studying anything other than philosophy

>>11598452
Nothing. Don't tell me you actually went to college to make money

>>11598009
People still need jobs.

>>11597875
Gib advice

>>11598923
>studying philosophy, watching anime, listening to metal, or having long black hair

Get the FUCK off my 4chan loser

>>11597751
Jesus Christ, I'd do anything to kiss her and hold her.

>>11597903
In reality, you can self-learn most subjects. Although it’s disappointing to do so, it is best to view university as a means to a career. While you could self-learn either philosophy or computer science, a degree in computer science is much more useful for starting a career. So it’s a matter of picking WHICH subjects to learn in your free time.

>>11597903
im a compsci grad student, I kinda regret not doing pure math or philosophy as an undergrad because those are way more abstract, deep, and interesting at an intellecual level. CS research is too practical imo. It's too down to earth and sometimes 'engineery'. Everything is aimed at patenting something that would make money for a corporation, not as an intellectual breakthrough.

Although it's nice to learn about new algorithms and advances (except machine learning i hate that meme), I sometimes wonder about more abstract deep stuff that's in math, phil, and physics. CS doesn't come close unless it's pure theory, but that's basically math then.

Maybe the grass isn't greener on the other side, I dunno. But whatever gotta get that money. Maybe I can steer towards AI and get some complementary philosophical depth to my career.

>>11597751
Why didn't she go to a no-name university, why did it have to be Brown? Why did her bourgeoise (lack of) ass have to steal a spot of someone that actually deserved it? Why did she syphon away the career of a poor person like a disgusting capitalist pig for her already succesful life? She essentially stole money from another person while already hoarding practically endless wealth and fame.

Fucking greedy pretentious status whore.

>>11597770
cringe but redpilled

>>11600143
>machine learning i hate that meme
>complains about the fact that comp sci is not abstract enough
it's not our fault you decided to only take gay courses that are only useful for the job market.

>>11597786
I work at an immigration firm helping to get unqualified foreign workers h1 visas. Im paying off my student loans by driving down STEM salaries

>>11597751
>English or Literature Degrees
I'll decide for you. Neither. Not a single great writer in history was an English major. You are delusional to think that a 4-year undergraduate degree is what makes a great writer. You obviously have no intention of going into academia, because if you had, you would not have asked this trivial question--- so we can assume you want to "learn" writer but we both know that isn't going to happen. Great writers are born, not made.
>b-but I like books (and crayons :D!)
Nothing is stopping you from perusing, and yes, actually reading literature at present. In fact, nothing is stopping you from looking at syllabi of these courses to self study and to tell you that an English degree without graduate school plans in mind is not only a mistake but a costly one. Even if school was free you would have wasted 4 years of your life (assuming you are in the US, most countries are intelligent enough to do away with an entire useless year of gen-eds). Although, I assume you come from a petite-bourgeois family with the intent of going to college for the "experience" and "being your own person" so your main incentive is just partying and hedonism where 'developing your interest' amounts to but a select few courses where you'll buy the cliff notes for the books anyways because you're not cut out for to read large volumes of books so suddenly.

>>11597751
What is it you seek? Money? Literature?
I suspect it is security.

If you had wanted. You could have lived in the wild.
Built a cabin. Kept a library.
But you did not. So you are not an ascetic.
You accept the world, but desire art, humanity.
A wealthy nobleman does not suffer this schism.

But did you come into this world loving literature?
No, you could not recite word nor letter.
Dostoevsky meant nothing to you.
Goethe was gibberish.
Only in age did you come to appreciate literature.

So why can you not find new love in new age?
Why reject the path to money when you have rejected the hermitage?

The cure to the impoverished nobleman is adventure.

>>11597770
>>11600387
Two great minds.

>>11597825
>PRACTICAL, REWARDING CAREER
Obvs a plebian who doesnt care enough about art to prefer a monotonous, inconsequential job that affords the free time to do genuine work. Either this poster doesnt actually care about art, and therefore is useless to this conversation, or they settled/convinced themselves/gave up to where they think having a "rewarding career" is something to be praised, in which case they are just another case of ressentiment. Don't let this poster fool you, OP. Prime example of slavish, lazy thinking not worthy of the artist and, at worse, an agent of anti-art proliferating the false aesthetics of the workplace. There's nothing, absolutely nothing practical or rewarding about SPENDING YOUR ONE AND ONLY LIFE SERVING SOMEONE ELSE AND IN MOST CASES IT'S NOT EVEN "SOMEONE ELSE" PER SAY BECAUSE WE LIVE IN A FUCKED UP ARBITRARY WORLD THAT LITERALLY SPRUNG UP OUT OF NONSENSICAL IMPULSES AND IDEAS LOL. Krazsnahorkai should be our model. Also, on a severally less dramatic note, there are plenty of jobs you can do that allow to work a minimum amount, pay back your loans over time, make ends meet, and still have time to pursue literary arts. You might not be living in a cushy suburb going out for dinner every night, but ideally you shouldnt give a fuck about that stuff anyways.

>>11600387
>Not a single great writer in history was an English major
Wew lad.

>>11600387
Pynchon has an English degree, and he's an inspiration.

>>11598771
>getting a gov't job while trump is in power
hope you don't graduate within the next 3 years

>>11601498
>3 years
Anon...

>>11597770
M-maybe I should just stick to my business degree idea

>>11600326
get actual cancer

>>11601613
A business degree is a good idea, especially if you pick up a lot of accounting skills and quantitative skills with it (statistics, Excel, SQL programming, a little bit of coding, etc.) Those kinds of jobs are in high demand, almost as much as compsci and maybe more depending on where you're looking.

>>11597751
>English
teach or get any middle class office job
>Literature
teach or be a pauper

Don't get a degree in English or Literature unless you want to descend into the terrors of academia. If you want to write get a Writing degree, though not many schools offer that.

>>11601713
Only get a "writing degree" if you're planning to do hack writing online like a whore or editing. If you're actually planning to write, just read and write, and the market will tell you whether or not you should kill yourself.

>>11601720
you've got it wrong, Anon. Hack writing online is for Journalism majors.

>>11600387
>Not a single great writer in history was an English major.

Actually a lot of great writers did the equivalent of 3-4 years of literature, but they had more classics included. But times were different.

>>11601651
No but in 5 years ill have turned a englidh degree into a JD and 150k salary. Have fun getting that PhD for an entry level job :))

I've bounced around a few jobs after uni: librarian, data manager, archivist (part-time), some general officecuck work.

If I didn't have parents living where I work (Edinburgh) I'd be fucked.

>>11600326
Based

>>11601496
>Pynchon has an English degree, and he's an inspiration.
A degenerate who has reached notoriety only because of his graphic depictions of sexually explicit themes. If you want to read about nigger genitals and shit (I mean actual shit), go ahead and read Pynchon. He isn't a great author much like you are not a good student of literature. The shock value and meme-tier JD Salinger strategy are the only reason why he has reached any sort of notoriety.

>>11600326

>>11597770
You seem to have it all planned out based on xp?

>>11597796
Stop being such a bitter faggot, you've accepted that you don't have the personality for a hard job that makes a lot of money, so try to find something slower paced so that you can work on your passions on the side. Why do people think they're entitled to be handed a high paying career for everything they like doing. There has literally never been a "job" for literature besides writers and professors. If you want to make money than write a successful book, but if you are only writing for money than you're a retard. Become an elevator mechanic and chill in the basement all day writing and reading when work isn't needed, holy fuck you pride yourself in a creative pursuit but you're unable to create a plan for your life that doesn't come out of a fucking flowchart

>>11597844
There's nothing wrong with pursuing literature as a passion, the problem comes with getting into debt studying it and expecting anything but misery to come with it. There's a middle ground between never taking any risks for what interests you and being a complete retard

>>11600326
based, stemfags unable to predict 3 billion pajeets and chans knocking on their company's door is hilarious

>>11602004
You realize that by having such a radical opinion you are simply promoting his work, right?

>>11597751
So guys will becoming a high school teacher actually be good? Interesting literature (if you get to pick it), developing the minds of young people, possibly mentoring those in need of a role model sounds pretty good even though you don't make a lot. Not to mention all the pretty high school stacys you get to gawk at.

>>11602115
It's a valuable job in theory but if you're American I feel bad for you. Also idk if I'll be able to not try to fuck high school girls, I definitely don't trust myself in that aspect. College professor? No doubt I would constantly be fucking undergrads and will eventually get #metoo'ed

>>11602134
>if you're American I feel bad for you
I am a burger, yes, why do you feel bad for me? Is it because of our ludicrous "thinking 17 year old girls are attractive is pedophilia stance?" Or our shitty education system which makes it pretty difficult for anyone to actually have a family supported by a teacher's income which in turn incentivizes competent people to stay away from teaching?


I know that realistically, my chances of becoming a professor are pretty fucking slim, but they let any retard become a high school teacher. My grades in high school were far too shitty to get into a good uni but I am far more competent than a lot of the people in the field. I think I could resist fucking high school girls, but the fantasies would be enjoyable.

>>11597770
shuddup. i plan on attempting to kms ONCE

>>11601613
Do it. It's easy, you'll have a lot of time to study literature, you'll be comfortable, and you can really move up in society (if that matters).
I recommend studying a language to compliment the degree. Literally hardly any downsides to that.

Then, if you still feel the deire for knowledge, you can return to uni with the bank by your side after you've settled.

Have fun.

>>11602058
She's a STEMfag who feels guilty about not pursuing her dreams so she's taking it out on OP

>>11602088
>getting into debt studying it
That's where you fucked up, mate. You need
1. Rich parents
or
2. Financial Aid money

Once you finish undergrad, if you're actually intelligent you can get into a top tier program where they give you full remission, a stipend, and TA wages.

>>11602779
>Just be rich and brilliant like me, pauper
This is not a viable path for most people dude. I'm not him by the way

>>11597804
this guy knows what's up