What we learn about career choices from the book Normal People, which has topped the bestseller list on Amazon during the lockdown.

First, read Normal People! It is sexy, modern and captures what being in love means for young people these days, especially in a western country. If you don’t care about reading, you can find the TV adaptation on Hulu. I haven’t seen it yet—it is not available in India—but it is faithful to the novel, which is set in Ireland and follows the lives of two teenagers, Connell and Marianne, who attend the same school and, later, Trinity College. 

Marianne comes from a rich but dysfunctional family and is an outcast at school. Connell—academically brilliant like Marrianne—is popular but poor. His mother works as a maid at Marianne’s house. The two teenagers fall in love, but Marrianne is left brutally embarrassed by Connell at a school dance. Later, at Trinity, Marianne becomes popular because of her wealth and smartness, but Connell struggles to fit in, or even pay rent at times. 

Irish author Sally Rooney writes beautifully about their friendship and intimacy. The book is packed with some astute observations about the modern-day elite. You can find several pieces dissecting intimacy and friendship in the book online, but I found something equally intriguing about the plot–career choices.

Initially, Connell is conflicted about what to study at college—Law or Engish. He picks the latter but never really stops agonising over his choice. 

“That makes him feel bad, because it is not like English is a real degree you can get a job out of it, it’s just a joke, and then he thinks he probably should have applied for Law after all.” 

Marianne, who also picks the same, does not have the same worries, perhaps because of her wealthy family. 

English degree in the post-COVID world

I am glad Rooney touched upon this tension because it is only going to intensify in the coming years, as the world emerges from the impact of Coronavirus. I studied literature at Delhi University while most of my school friends opted for sensible programs such as medicine or commerce. This was before the 2008 recession and Indians were discovering opportunities other than computer engineering. After English, journalism seemed noble and well-paying; publishing looked glamorous; and with private universities mushrooming all across India, teachers were sought-after. For those who wanted a more corporate profile, public relations and marketing offered opportunities that were not available to previous generations. English (Hons) had never been this attractive. 

But the job market is going to look pretty apocalyptic after the pandemic. It already does. 

Hit by an abrupt ad decline, Indian newspapers have been cutting jobs and salaries since the lockdown started. I can’t imagine kids without rich parents being able to pull off careers in the publishing industry, with its shockingly low salaries. And as far as the education sector is concerned, not only has it been hit hard by the pandemic, there is a real danger that artificial intelligence may replace many teaching jobs. 

(Spoiler alert in this para) In the last chapter of the book, Connell is offered a place at a university in New York to study creative writing. But, COVID poses a serious financial threat to colleges across the world, and I doubt if there would be too many generous scholarships available now.

So where does this leave people interested in studying English? Marianne is the one who encourages Connell to pick English because he likes to spend all his “free time reading,” “Plus the class will be full of girls,” and Connell will be a “total stud.” 

Please don’t choose English if your reasons are this flimsy. The world is too unpredictable right now. (And, who says you have to be an English grad to read a lot? Check out how Bill Gates reads.) 

You can always take certificate courses in Literature on Coursera to decide if it is for you. These can also be done alongside a professional degree. Real college experience in Humanities can help one think and critique, but I have fresh respect for online courses after taking a few during the lockdown.

If you aren’t rich, and super passionate about studying creative writing, you can do the following to prepare yourself financially. 

Don’t be fake rich. 

Remember that viral Buzzfeed article on India’s corporate twentysomething “Urban Poor,” who believe they have to eat, look and dress a certain way to be successful? It wasn't all wrong. There are industries—especially media and publishing—that encourage young people to live and party lavishly despite low salaries. It is hard for millennials to resist that lifestyle, but it really pays to earn money before you start spending it. The 30-something you will be grateful. 

Start saving when you are 25. 

Try to save at least 10-15% of your monthly salary. Learn about fixed deposits, mutual funds, equities as early as you can. Look up the FIRE movement. I see a lot of smart women in their 30s and 40s who still don’t know how to invest their money. With early money-management, one can be a homeowner in late 20s or 30s. Imagine the freedom. 

Diversify your income streams.

Chances are, a lot of English grads will end up being part of the gig economy in the post-COVID world. Make sure you don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Satisfy your creative instincts by writing a feature for a top magazine (which won’t pay a lot), and make your rent by proof-reading annual reports for a Fortune 500 company (which will pay handsomely). 

Don’t write for free. 

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