The English major enables one to see things in a broader context, to make informed opinions and judgments between seemingly disparate ideas, rather than merely learning to defer to outside authority.

Because of the small class sizes that allow and promote vigorous discussion and exchange of ideas, the diligent Southern Virginia English major becomes thoroughly prepared for graduate school and for careers requiring careful reading, orderly and clear thinking, and persuasive, clear, and refined oral and written communication.

The English major offers a tremendous level of career freedom and choice. Careers such as law, medicine, teaching, business and entrepreneurship, organizational management, writing, public service, public relations, human resources, sales, publishing, and editing rely heavily on skills developed in the English major, although an English graduate is prepared to do just about anything.