My son is in his fourth year of his Bachelor of Arts, Honours English Specialist program. I don’t think it’s come so much as a revelation to him, as a pending “harsh reality” that his degree isn’t all that marketable.
When he began his program of study he wasn’t looking too far into the future. He loved literature and reading and philosophy, etc., so it seemed like a good fit. And frankly I was so thankful that he pursued post-secondary studies, rather than becoming the vagabond he threatened, that I didn’t ‘steer’ his decision at all. But alas, he will graduate and go out into the world and do . . . what?
Of course he can continue and get a Masters, or return and get a second (more useful?) degree - or continue to teacher’s college, but if he were to stop right now (as he’d like) what industry/occupation values an English degree? Is there an area that he could target for future interesting work?