Precise Writing Skills Prized by Employers!
By Kristina Knobelsdorff, PhDWriting Training“Is Majoring in English Worth It?” So asks William McGurn in a recent WSJ column (Sept 10, 2019).
I occasionally wondered this myself, working feverishly towards my English PhD. Yet, my main reason for going to graduate school was to learn more, not earn more. And, in pursuit of this degree, I developed invaluable critical thinking, writing, and communication skills.
So, my answer to McGurn’s question is a resounding yes, if majoring in English develops the “critical thinking, communication skills, and judgment” that today’s employers still “prize.”
These skills, however, are in serious decline. According to Jonathan Pidluzny, director of academic affairs for the American Council of Trustees and Alumni (ACTA), recent studies reveal a number of disconcerting facts about the average college grad. According to Pidluzny, even students “from prestigious flagship universities” show “little or no improvement in critical thinking for having gone to college.” Equally surprising is the fact that many English majors aren’t learning to write precisely, once the hallmark of the discipline.
The upshot? In today’s highly competitive global market, communication skills are key.
So, what can CT parents do to ensure that their children will succeed after college?
If you have children in middle or high school, now is the time to start shoring up their writing skills with one of our expert writing tutors. We offer individualized, flexible tutoring for students of all ability levels, both in the summer and during the school year.
Do you have a child already in college? Consider one of our virtual tutoring/editing packages for customized, on-time support with writing assignments throughout the year.
Kristina joined The Learning Consultants in 2007, shortly after completing her PhD in English at the University of Connecticut. With a decade of coaching teachers and students behind her, Kristina now heads the Department of Writing Mastery. She derives great satisfaction helping students of all ages become skilled and confident writers. full bio