Final answer:
Nick Marelli, guided by his parents' advice, applied for and obtained a management trainee position at an insurance company. His skills as an English major, particularly in critical thinking and clear writing, made him a desirable candidate, defying common employment concerns related to his field of study.
Step-by-step explanation:
Nick Marelli, an English major, surprised both himself and his parents when he landed a job in the corporate world. His parents suggested, or perhaps expected, that he might follow a more traditional and practical career path, possibly something business-related, considering their concerns about the employability of an English major. However, despite their skepticism, Nick's academic and extracurricular experiences—serving as managing editor of a literary magazine and arts editor of a newspaper—proved to be valuable. He utilized these skills to secure a management trainee position at a large insurance company, a job he acquired somewhat serendipitously to fulfill parental expectations. In the end, it was precisely his ability to read carefully, digest and summarize information, think critically, and write clearly that made him an ideal candidate in the eyes of the company's recruiter.