Hi Tine! There are tons of options available to Lit majors— most of which don’t involve becoming a novelist.
I like to think that majoring in English Literature isn’t so much about reading and writing, but about learning to appreciate the complexities of our world through the lens of our narratives. In the Sciences you learn about these complexities by studying neurons and atoms, and in English you do so by studying words.
It’s true that Literature doesn’t exactly set you up for a straightforward career, the way, say, Pre-law or Pre-med do, but I’d argue that being able to analyze and write well are skills that are applicable to just about any field.
So what can you do with a degree in English Lit? If you want to write, you could do freelance work, or work for a business (In fact, I recently got a job as the copywriter for a local startup company). You could decide that, despite the stereotype, you want to teach. You could look for jobs in health or law, both of which require talented writers. You could become a grant writer for a nonprofit, or go on to pursue a career in library science.
Or you could decide to do something completely different. I’m sure my lovely followers have plenty of suggestions as well.
Ultimately, though, it comes down to doing what you love. I hope that if you do decide to major in Literature, you allow yourself to discover what you’re passionate about. Find your passion, and the job will follow.
Best of luck!
