Page 69 - Mousumi: Unbelievable Transformation

As mentioned earlier, the scope of literature is ever-expanding. Philology
refers to the study of literary texts and the language per se. English is a universal
language, and the present version has been influenced by several other languages,
including Latin and French. Many words from these languages eventually
became words of the English literature and are now the part of an endless
collection of novels, short stories, and dramas. Literature offers its students a
complete knowledge of literary genres besides, improving their vocabulary,
writing skills, and enabling them to analyse the work of others critically.
It offers ample career opportunities for those who decide to study
literature. One can take up journalism or become an editor by enrolling himself
or herself in some editing course. Moreover, one can also take up the job of a
newspaper reporter if he/she has an aptitude, is verbally efficient, and is having
complete knowledge about the nuances of news reading. However, additional
enrolment in some news reading course is highly recommended in that case.
Besides, one can also become a teacher after doing a bachelor's in education (B.
Ed) after graduation or can continue higher studies including masters, masters in
philosophy (M. Phil), and PhD for teaching in a college or a university. By taking
up literature as a subject, one can become a research scholar too. Though M.
Phil and PhD are usually required to pursue a career as a researcher in the field
of literature. For taking up any subject, one has to have an interest in that
subject. In the case of literature, too, one should first have an interest in the
subject. Someone interested in reading poetry, short stories and novels can easily
take it up as a profession. The syllabus of this discipline is, however, very vast
and diverse. It covers all the major historical events whichever had an impact on
the writings of poets and writers belonging to different literary ages. Moreover, it
also involves the study of different philosophies which have been used by the
poets in their works.
There are several various well-known colleges and universities where
one can study English Literature. Calcutta University, Jadavpur University,
Presidency University, Delhi University, Jawahar Lal Nehru University, Panjab
University and Banaras Hindu University are some of the big names which offer
courses in English literature. These universities have an excellent faculty for
English Literature and also organize literary seminars, workshop, and
conferences for the students. Admission process into courses of literature is very
straight forward. One should have English as a compulsory first language subject
for the enrolment along with the required of marks in the subject and a good
percentage overall.
To conclude, one can say that literature is an evergreen field roots of
which lie deep inside our civilisation. It offers a refuge from the outside world,
which is full of distractions. As a career, English literature is so diverse, that is
provides something for everyone.

Sayan Anthony Gomes
B.A.(Honours), English Literature

♦♦Career Mantra♦♦ Page 68