It’s graduation time, and the rush is on to hire college graduates whose major nicely fits the field where they intend to make their mark. As a college president I am grateful that America needs our students who are graduating with degrees in fields such as business and engineering. However, I'd like to propose another idea: hire English majors, too!

In our technology-driven economy, those who use good grammar, can write well and who have an appreciation for great literature are not initially seen as great hires. Later, however, these same companies realize that someone has to write the technical manuals that all employees must be able to understand. Someone has to meet with representatives of other companies to make the sale and secure the business. English majors are educated beyond their company’s special niche business and can talk about what they have read lately, the state of the fine arts, and the importance of effective communication.

English majors are great conversationalists. Why? Because they have something to say and they know how to communicate. Because they are well-read, their world is more inviting to friends, colleagues, and potential business customers because everyone learns how rich the world of literature is from English majors. They read, they write, they communicate effectively, and – unlike so many of us – they have something to say that’s worth hearing.

Because they love literature, they are destined to be life-long learners. English majors make my heart jump for joy when their resumes cross my desk. When we don’t read outside our field, when we specialize too early in our educational journey, and when we do not prepare ourselves to communicate in a global society, we relegate ourselves to a one-dimensional prison of close‑mindedness.

English majors have other skills that make them desirable across a variety of occupations. These include the ability to think critically, to analyze, to evaluate and to do research. English majors from Southwestern University have gone on to have successful careers in fields ranging from banking to state government.

While success after college does not usually come immediately to those who major in English, they slowly but surely rise to positions of influence in their chosen careers and in their communities. Why not go ahead and hire them now?

Jake B. Schrum is president of Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas.