What can you be with an english degree? Anything you like (except perhaps an astronaut).

The school careers fair. Why did I think it was a good idea to volunteer and spend my morning sitting at a small wooden desk, drinking disgusting coffee, surrounded by teenagers?

It got a little bit more soul destroying each time a gaggle of kids peered at the laminated job title sellotaped to my desk and swerved quickly away.

My hopes rose briefly when a small group of girls eventually sidled over. Smiling brightly, I was ready to ‘share my journey.’ “Woss your job then?” Piped up the bravest staring fixedly down at her clipboard. “I’m a storyteller!” I trilled. “Erm…woss er, that then?” Came the reply. The girl still glaring determindly down at her notes. Undeterred I set off and 'shared my journey'; from disappointing G.C.S.Es to running my own consultancy business. “Just remember,” I advised sagely. “Whatever you do, don’t go out with any boys until after you've finished you're exams (and probably not even then). And travel the world!”

The girls shuffled away distinctly unimpressed.

My desk was located behind a large dad with a large pop-up stand advertising his pressure washing business. Huge belly resplendent under his too small t-shirt, and branded van the focal point of his stand, he held court to crowds of admiring children who gazed up at him in awe. “Yeah well, I’m a CEO, PR Manager, Accountant, Marketing Director, Entrepreneur – I do it all.” He bellowed down at them.

It’s safe to say Pressure Washer Dad blew pretty much everyone else in our corner of the hall out of the water. There are likely to be pressure washing franchises popping up everywhere in the coming years as our inspired youth go into the pressure washing career of their dreams.

That was pretty much it for the next three hours, until Year 9 came in. “Don’t worry.” My son advised sympathetically, looking down at me through a crumpled mask. “I’ll ask you some questions. But to be honest, as you haven’t got a pop-up stand, sweets or free pens, no one gives a stuff what you do.”

Pressure Washer Dad had merch. But that was no consolation.

My next visitors were two separate sets of parents. Their daughters both loved reading and english was their favourite subject. Both sets of parents asked the same question - "other than a teacher, is there anything else you can be with an english degree?"

I should point out that I have an english degree.

The answer? You can be anything.

Okay except maybe not nuclear physicist, heart surgeon, astronaut...but if you're studying english you've probably already scratched those off your top ten, along with a few others.

A love of english brings with it the ability to tell the stories of diverse industries and people, sharing how they impact those around them. The ripple effect they create that extends far beyond the workplace.

You can be a corporate chameleon. Industry agnostic.

The parents looked astonished, I honestly don't think they had ever considered that you could be anything other than an english teacher if you took a degree in english. Which is pretty terrifying. Because if that was their view, how many other parents out there are thinking the same?

At 12.10pm, an expectant lull descended. A large teacher waddled past and I asked if that was the end of the fair given no more teenagers had appeared. Looking at her watch she confirmed that it was. Stuffing laptop, pad and phone into my backpack, I fled.

The benefit of not having to pack up a pop-up stand, bags of sweets or free pens was a quick exit.

To add insult to injury, Pressure Washer Dad had parked his van in front of my car.

Of course he had.

#communications ?#culture ?#leadership ?#storytelling ?#career

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Louisa Houghton is a storyteller and communications professional who specialises in creating purposeful, authentic content that 'does what it says on the tin'. She's been writing her blog about life as a working mum, since 2005. Louisa is a firm believer that you can find the extraordinary everywhere and finds magic in the least likely places. Her stories are designed to entertain as much as they educate, always with a kernel of insight at their heart.

Contact Louisa:

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