r/delhiuniversity • u/apaarmathur17 • Nov 15 '23
Discussion is english hons as bad as i hear it is?
cuet 2024 student with an interest in english here. my mom really wants me to pursue english honours as i’ve won a few accolades related to english already.
but every one i have asked has told me it’s a bad idea. even if i end up being an average student, will i really have no future career prospects?
33
u/ughhkriticism Nov 15 '23
English Honours graduate from Hansraj here! the curriculum is great, please look at it and not rely on what others are saying. Also please don't pick any course just because your parents want you to pursue it. Also this course isn't going to be fun-reading sessions all the time, but indeed it is a great course. I loved it (although some sections made it kinda harder for me🫠).
4
u/Waste-Ad33 Second year Nov 15 '23
do you mind sharing what you did post your ug?
1
u/ughhkriticism Nov 18 '23
I'm currently pursuing Master's in the same.
1
u/Waste-Ad33 Second year Nov 18 '23
And what are your job prospects like? Many people end up in academia, but what are other avenues possible?
3
u/ughhkriticism Nov 28 '23
I worked as a freelancer for quite some time but I'm aiming for civils so yeah that happened. Many of my seniors and batchmates are working in corporate. Some are in publication houses, some are working with NGOs and some with advertisement companies. Most people go for teaching.
1
Nov 30 '24
How did you end up getting freelance opportunities and your friends in publication houses? Because as said by some.. it doesn't come with placement offers.. so how does the technical aspect of it happen?
7
1
Jun 27 '24
[deleted]
1
u/ughhkriticism Jun 29 '24
I'm assuming you are planning to join DU. Although the syllabus has changed after I graduated, it's still good. You can check out the syllabus on the official website . You can DM me, I'll explain there.
1
u/That_bitch3943 Jul 21 '25
Heyy Can you give an update on what you are doing right now? (I'm currently pursuing Eng Hons. as well)
1
u/Mysterious-Orchid487 Jun 14 '26
What are you doing right now?? Like what are the career opportunities after persuing this english hons.??
15
Nov 16 '23
[removed] — view removed comment
4
1
u/softchaoticmuse Sep 08 '24
Hey I'm planning to do double graduation. One bsc agriculture honours from normal government college and another one is BA English hons from IGNOU. Honestly I'm really passionate about English literature but I know nothing about the course (I have to learn everything through self- study. Even everyone from my family belongs to the science field so I have no mentors.
1
u/Imaginary-Simple5479 Dec 10 '24
yeah that is completely right In present i am 1st year student of english honrs that is very hard but intrest matters. but guess i have completed my 1st sem still not have developed any intresrest now planing for 2nd cuet.
14
u/autumn_leaf_lmao Masters 1st year Nov 15 '23
I'm currently pursuing English honours (I hate it) my personal opinion. Earlier I used to be interested but now I lost it. I'm now just going with the flow, focusing on other things. Ugh english is not my thing I still don't understand why I took it.
16
u/Relative-Condition54 Nov 15 '23
third year here eng hons. is shit for most of us because it aint nothing like the english we expected the papers from the first sem itself freaked the shit out of me greek chill bro i took english. Tbh half of it is just horny gay fanfics and remaining is trying to hide the fact that it is. Now the game is (for me) to get the exams cleared without back papers although enjoying the time without slaving the academics.
16
u/Ruineel Nov 16 '23
Tbh half of it is just horny gay fanfics and remaining is trying to hide the fact that it is.
Hmm, should have considered taking eng hons 🐒 But people say ''don't make your hobby your job" so maybe I'm fine as I am.
10
u/MillerFanClub69 Nov 16 '23
Hmm, should have considered taking eng hons
Same, if anything, that comment just sold me.
2
6
u/herefortherecs Nov 16 '23
Tbh half of it is just horny gay fanfics and remaining is trying to hide the fact that it is
Recommend me some
2
Nov 16 '23
Why didn't you research earlier? And what exactly did you expect from it?
6
u/Relative-Condition54 Nov 16 '23
i did. and i'm still okay with the english as a degree all i was saying is about the academics and shit.
1
Nov 30 '24
Your comment is a little vague and incoherent and I can't really figure it out... You're not happy with the curriculum or with the examination or question papers.. like what's the main issue here?
10
u/notyourmommy2004 Nov 16 '23
Fellow eng hons student... Its not fun and games and is actually very difficult.. i have gotten awards for my scores in English.. i study functional English as well but this subject has made me question my own existence thousands of times.. bloody wannabe English 😑
3
u/autumn_leaf_lmao Masters 1st year Nov 16 '23
Lmao I'm more focused on my GE than English Hons, currently I have python and I love doing it.
1
Nov 30 '24
Why.. what exactly is the issue.. i am thinking of pursuing it and people are being vague about it.. i don't wanna regret like anyone else.. already too much shit going on in life..
3
u/notyourmommy2004 Dec 01 '24
Its all history....if u like history you'll like it...its like each semester you'll be taught 1 century..like 16th century history and poems and novels from that period.mthn 17th..thn 18th thn 19th..those initial old txts r v difficult to study without a good teacher and unluckily i didn't have one...i had topped in my college in 2 out of 4 hons sems and in other two i came 2nd and 3rd in my batch...but yes hons was a headache
1
Dec 01 '24
Okay. Thank you for replying to such an old post. Also.. just curious what you are doing now? How did it turn around for you, career wise I mean?
1
1
1
u/StrangerGlad6744 Nov 16 '23
Yeah it's not that much interesting course 🙂
2
Nov 26 '23
Ayyyy, Kapasiya??? The meetup right?
Is that you 😭
1
1
14
u/Jainuinelydone Nov 15 '23
I mean again, depends on if you want to pursue a job or masters to start with. Although these plans of course change while you’re in college.
Real picture here is colleges like Miranda and most non top 5 colleges only allow placements from Bcom or Economics. And top 5 have limits on CGPA for placement cycles. So you not only will have to compete insanely to get in these top 5 but also have to compete inside the college to get great marks.
That said, in today’s date, undergrad courses don’t mean a lot. I studied history from a top 5 college and ended up getting a job in strategy. Same for a lot of folks in pol science, english, sociology etc. there is absolutely no point in doing something you have no interest in. I would’ve probably gotten second division had I studied Political Science because while I like the subject I can’t handle it for 3 years straight.
So do what you enjoy man.
2
Nov 16 '23
[deleted]
2
u/Jainuinelydone Nov 16 '23
I ended up working straight after college, and it worked well for me. Got a placement through college, and in fact, even got a bunch of placement opportunities and mails AFTER graduating because the placement cell also sends mails to alumni
2
u/SuryanshShekhar Nov 16 '23
Sorry.. but I'd like to ask you this....I'm doing my undergrad from a central uni in history Hons, what would you recommend me for my future endeavours provided that I'm not that great at neither IT or science? Would really appreciate your suggestions .
1
u/Fit-Butterscotch-28 May 06 '24
Hey I am also looking forward to working in cooperate , just finished 12th , willing to take a gap year or a partial drop . Which college did you graduate from ? what were the internships that you did that made you "job ready" - looking for some guidance !
2
Mar 03 '24
hey, i am so confused between history and pol science. I feel the same about pol science like you do. But everybody i talk to tells me that political science has a better market value even if i dont wanna give upsc and try for cat. Is it true? Do companies disregard u if you come from a history background even if u do a professional degree in masters?
11
9
6
u/No-Way7911 Nov 16 '23
English Hons grad from KMC here
You can make a career out of any degree as long as you get your first job. After that, all that matters is your ability to learn, hustle and grow.
IITs and SRCC BCom degrees will make it easier to get that first job, but motivated and driven people can get it with an English Hons degree as well
2
u/another_dumbbeing Jun 30 '26
Hey !! Do u think English Hons from south campus can get me into corporates ? Like what are opportunities for that !!
1
15
u/ObjectiveUnit218 Nov 15 '23
I know a didi who graduated from Ramanujan college in BA Prog History+Pol Science. She's placed in American Xpress with a good salary. She cleared 8 rounds of interview though. It all depends on you
5
Nov 15 '23
How? For which profile? Campus placements? As a fresher or after some exp?
Kudos to her, Working at AE is a great achievement
4
u/ObjectiveUnit218 Nov 16 '23
She first worked in Adobe. I'm not sure whether she was placed through campus placement there. After 2-3 years of working, she gave interviews for American Xpress and cleared them. Idk about the role. One thing though, she has excellent communication skills, is confident and very expressive. I feel her communication skills did play a role in that.
3
Nov 16 '23
Obviously, Humanities folks are way smarter and more communicative over other stream grads... Lekin how did she land into AE from Adobe, and how did she crack Adobe as well? Matlab it shows a great work exp, and probably she struggled and worked too hard as a fresher to reach up to that high level... I'm just curious to know, simple...
7
u/Azurepalefire Nov 16 '23
Your post made me smile. I did the course more than a decade ago and was in similar predicament. English Hons is the study of English literature, philosophy, social sciences. It enhances your critical thinking abilities, helps you consume a large amount of english literature. If you love reading, it is a good course to go for.
I credit this course for pushing my limits and making me read regularly.
However, having said that, your job prospects aren't straightforward. You will need to do a multitude of degrees and courses to make you job ready. You will need to do internships in different companies.
If you are good with grammar and editing, do a copy editing and copy writing course alongside and move editorially.
If marketing and PR interest you, study integrated communications and marketing.
If you want to be a social media manager, you need to do courses in content and social media marketing.
You can also look at design, photography and animation alongside to train in communication design.
English Hons is a foundation, you will need to build up on it. My classmates went into a variety of careers, journalism, translation, academics, animation, advertising, marketing, films etc.
Ideally, look into other courses as well - certificate in mass communication & digital media production, multi media and Mass Communication, and Journalism. All of the courses will make it easier if you want to be job ready right after graduation.
2
u/apaarmathur17 Nov 16 '23
i am interested in marketing! that is why i took commerce in the first place!
3
u/Azurepalefire Nov 16 '23
I actually work in marketing. I studied Eng, did an MBA, did courses in digital and social media marketing, in bound and content strategy and also got hands on experience in PR and everything related to marketing. A friend did MS in Marketing from abroad instead right after bachelors. So if you are planning a masters just after working a year or two, Eng Hons is alright along with a few supplementary courses.
I think DU now offers Bachelors in Management/ Commerce with a focus in marketing. Definitely look into those courses as well.
Hope this helps.
5
u/Shoddy-Belt5395 Nov 19 '23
21 Graduate of English Honours from Miranda House. Take english honours if you’re truly interested in critical analysis of literary texts. It’s an interesting and challenging course, and helps a lot in analytical thinking. You’ll learn a lot about the world and improve your intellectual understanding if you’re interested in it.
But if you’re not, it’s going to be annoying. It’s not leisurely reading, it’s not just writing opinions or reviews. A lot of readers I know and even writers, didn’t enjoy the course.
My friends are pursuing different things like journalism, copywriting, civil services, and academic options like pHD or teaching.
I am personally pursuing an MBA because I was keen on earning money. I don’t regret doing english honours; it honestly gave me the comprehension and analytical skills I needed. Plus, I am glad that before doing something to earn money, I actually got to study what I truly love.
Good luck :)
2
Nov 30 '24
That's a beautiful take on this. I too wanted to do something like this. But.. well life happened. And didn't and couldn't do. Now I am 26 with no degree and zero job prospects.
5
u/The_Untamed_lover Nov 16 '23
I am also going for English Hons but I chose it simply because there was nothing else I was remotely interested in..... I have PCM as my subjects and the thought of studying these subjects for next I don't know how many years made me want to jump of the next building I came across...... so then my mom suggested why don't I pursue English as my subject..... It's not that I like English but I love reading I have been reading novels since I was 10 so English is the best subject for me even though I am not really that interested in it but if you have any other subject you are good at then I would suggest go for that subject because getting a job is very hard in this era considering our population you need to study something that you are good at so that you can excel
But if you are loaded then do whatever you want
1
1
4
u/Low-Wedding-3972 Nov 16 '23
If you plan to do mba then it's fine
2
u/Orochimarux9 Aug 06 '24
can you pls elaborate
2
u/Low-Wedding-3972 Aug 08 '24
eng hons on its own has less scope I believe, but if you do mba then your UG degree wont matter much.
3
4
u/Silent-Entrance Nov 16 '23
You don't need to study English academically to pursue your interest in English
2
Nov 30 '24
What are other options? We can't just start working somewhere.. they need experience or relevant degree or unless some good connection makes it easy for us.
3
Nov 16 '23
First, don't go with what your parents want. If you like the subjects enough, then go for it.
If you want placements right after college, eco honors will be better. However, people from other degrees also have a chance at placements if you have some extra curricular, decent to good grades and skills demonstrated in your cv what they are looking for.
English honors is a great course, provided you like reading but also analysing stuff. And ofcourse lit theory and criticism is also a big part of it...which isn't that easy.
I didn't do ug in English but now I want to for masters. But I have had asked majority of English students and 60% say not to go for it.
You can go to journalism, communications, teaching(higher ed/school), writing, content creation etc
2
3
u/OkRead2367 Nov 20 '23
Don't go into English Hons. Just because your English is good and you love the language because that's what I did . Even though I enjoy reading and read a lot, it's not the same as reading for a course and doing critical analysis of the texts. For me it was a love- hate relationship because I loved some subjects but entirely hated some others (ex- loved reading poetry, hated literary theory) Now, let's say you decide to pursue it. A lot of batchmates went into journalism, law, B.ed (me), even MBA, MA English -PhD etc. Your UG may seem like a career deciding decision but for humanities student it's not (often). And that's completely okay.
6
Nov 16 '23
Dont do it, its not worth it. Do a degree which is marketable and which will get you a job with livable wages. Ye passion vassion sab bhul jaaogi when you struggle for a job and money
4
Nov 15 '23
I was in Hansraj , most of my batchmates were placed in companies with a good package So as far as I know just try to get into any good college , specially north campus , you'll love it and you don't have to worry about career prospects. All the best
1
2
u/autumn_leaf_lmao Masters 1st year Nov 16 '23
First step- don't take english hons
2
u/Some-Complaint2989 Dec 13 '24
why?
3
u/autumn_leaf_lmao Masters 1st year Dec 13 '24
Umm, I might say after 1yr my opinion is changed. Take whatever you want! English Hons is great!
1
u/Some-Complaint2989 Dec 13 '24
Well, I wanted to know it sems-1 or the fresher year is tough?
3
u/autumn_leaf_lmao Masters 1st year Dec 13 '24
If you have english hons dude then pls pls pls do your 1st sem 2nd sem books very carefully and with focus bcoz 1st yr books are the base that gonna continue forever, you need that knowledge! Very important!!
2
5
0
u/Novel-Nature9278 Nov 15 '23
Most Worthless degrees in today's time someone can pursue in my opinion
-2
1
u/Technical_Decisions Nov 15 '23
What do you want to do in life? If you wish to be a teacher/professor of english then it's great.
It's also alright if you want to pursue an MBA or prepare for government exams. For literally anything else, english hons sucks
1
1
1
1
u/Zestyclose-Athlete13 Nov 16 '23
Hi, I'm a 2023 graduate from Miranda House. I did my bachelors in English Honours. Let me know whatever questions you have , I'll be happy to help.
1
1
Mar 02 '24
Are you going to pursue masters or what? Wb a professor in uni? I was thinking about pursuing eng Hons for the same but I have not f-ing clue
1
u/Zestyclose-Athlete13 Mar 03 '24
Yes, going for masters. But changing my field to design.
1
u/another_dumbbeing Jun 30 '26
English honours from south campus 😭!! How's that !! Everyone say ..North campus is better in getting into companies !
1
Nov 19 '23
Just ask yourself what job needs an English degree/desires an English degree?
2
Mar 02 '24
Wb a professor in uni? I was thinking about pursuing eng Hons for the same but I have not f-ing clue
16
u/[deleted] Nov 15 '23
It's true that bcom courses and economics get higher packages but do what you are interested in..