The worst thing about being an English major is the inevitable question: "So what are you going to do with your degree?" According to the social powers that be, apparently the only two things a person can do with an English major are become an academic or an English teacher. But this will soon be no more. The American Council of Learned Societies has recently created a program that will give fellowships to eight people with Ph.D.s in the humanities.According to Inside Higher Ed, the fellowships will be paid positions in government or nonprofits for the duration of 2 years. The jobs the fellows will hold include a policy analyst for the Association of American Universities, a cultural communications specialist for the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs and two positions in the U.S. Department of State. The point? The website says it is "to demonstrate that the capacities developed in the advanced study of the humanities have wide application, both within and beyond the academy."

This mission makes a ton of sense-and not just because I'm pursuing a major in a field of the humanities. This program aims to show that learning how to read, write and think analytically can be helpful outside of the world of academia. And in reality, what job doesn't involve some level of critical analysis and writing? Being an efficient writer is an important skill in the workforce.

But even more than that, the grant encourages learning for learning's sake. If people interested in the humanities will no longer have to worry about the ever-looming question of post-graduation plans, then they will be more willing to study in the fields they are truly passionate about.

This way, colleges too will not have to worry about catering to a job market after graduation-humanities departments as well as science departments will have a potential path for life after graduation. Now, I'm not trying to exaggerate the scale of this program-it's true that only eight people with Ph.D.s will receive the grant a year-but it is a step in the right direction.

Why is it that there is such a stigma against those interested in the humanities? It seems as though the fact that it is not part of a track with a "pre" in front of it diminishes its credibility. But it doesn't have to. Being a humanities major will help for a wide variety of potential job options, not just those deemed "the only thing you can do with a humanities major."

Obviously, others have noticed the possible benefits of being a humanities major, because these fellows will be placed in government agencies and nonprofits-two extremely important fields that impact the lives of so many around them. With the country looking the way it is, I for one am glad that there are going to be some critical thinkers on board. This isn't to diminish the importance of academia or teaching. Both are fantastic professions that can be extremely rewarding to those interested to such a deep extent in the humanities. However, they aren't the only options; English majors aren't barreling down a path that splits into a fork without any possibility for a third option.

In fact, the American Council of Learned Societies specifies that it is seeking "applications from recent Ph.D.s who wish to begin careers in administration, management, and public service by choice rather than circumstance." The ACLS is acknowledging the possibility that a humanities major would be interested in a life beyond college that doesn't necessarily have to be directly related to the humanities.

This undertaking doesn't have to be an anomaly. It's not such a radical idea to think that learning how to read and write properly can help in the work force. Obviously, government agencies and nonprofits realize it. Now maybe it's time for the rest of the world.