"Networking." The word alone tends to strike fear into the hearts of many English majors. The awkward networking events, the struggle of figuring out where to begin (especially if you are unsure of your precise career path); it can all become overwhelming for even the most outgoing English major.
McKenzie McCormack: Communications Consultant
Name: McKenzie McCormack
Age: 23
College & Majors/Minors: University of Washington, B.A. in English Language & Literature
Current Location: Olympia, WA
Current Form of Employment: Communications Consultant
Where do you work and what is your current position?
I work for the Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA), most people don’t know what that is, so here’s the synopsis:
“The Washington State Health Care Authority purchases health care for more than 2 million Washington residents through two programs — Washington Apple Health (Medicaid) and the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) Program. We work with partners to help ensure Washingtonians have access to better health and better care at a lower cost.”
I am a Communications Consultant for HCA’s Health Information Technology team! I do a lot of the writing for the team, create deliverable materials, proofread and edit, manage the website, and answer email inquiries.
Tell us about how you found your first job, and how you found your current job (if different).
My FIRST job was working on a farm as a berry picker when I was 11, however, my first influential job out of college was working for the Washington State Senate. I was working as a barista at a small coffee shop and as a cashier at REI when I found the Senate job on indeed.com. I applied thinking it would be a long shot and was beyond surprised when they invited me for an interview. I worked for one session, and then decided I wanted to try state work, so I applied for a handful of jobs through careers.wa.gov and ended up in my current position.
““Writing and performing poetry taught me how to use language in a creative and powerful way, and it taught me to speak with confidence. I definitely used these skills in writing cover letters, in interviews, and in my day-to-day work.””
What was another writing-related job that was important in your career?
This is my first writing-related job, but when I was in college I was a spoken-word poet and it taught me so many different things that helped shape me into who I am today. Writing and performing poetry taught me how to use language in a creative and powerful way, and it taught me to speak with confidence. I definitely used these skills in writing cover letters, in interviews, and in my day-to-day work.
What did you do in college to prepare for your post-grad life?
I was constantly in the Career Adviser’s office discussing different paths I could take with my degree, I attended job fairs just to get an idea of what was out there for English majors, and I signed up for the English department’s listserv (they sent out job listings, internships, workshops, etc.).
What is your advice for students and graduates with an English degree?
Be confident! Apply for that job even if you don’t think you will get it—the worst they can do is say “no.” Be bold with your cover letters, and put some passion in there—employers want to know that you care. Be patient; you might be a barista for a while, and that’s fine. Keep an open mind; chances are you won’t land a publishing job right out of school, but you might land a pretty neat communications job with a state agency. You are talented, you are smart, you are an English major!
Celeste Roberts: Technical Writer
Name: Celeste Roberts
Age: 27
College and Majors/Minors: Nicholls State University - Class of May 2011 - English/Creative Writing with humanities and psychology minors
Current Location: Houma, LA
Current Form of Employment: Technical Writer for a Design & Construction Company and Monthly Contributing Writer for What Now Magazine
Where do you work and what is your current position?
I have worked for three years in Houma, LA, as a technical writer for Submar, Inc., a turnkey professional services company that identifies erosion problems and designs, manufactures, distributes, and constructs a variety of onshore and offshore erosion control solutions. I compose proposals after interpreting field survey forms, drafts of the project sites, and estimates. Each proposal features a site-specific solution to the erosion issue. I also edit legal documents, safety manuals, and company literature, and I track in-house and out-going projects. If a construction project is near our office, I sometimes visit the site with co-workers. In 2016, I started social media and company newsletter committees to showcase Submar's projects externally and internally.
I also freelance monthly as a feature writer for a local magazine, What Now, which shares information on events, shops, people, and restaurants in my hometown.
Tell us about how you found your first job, and how you found your current job (if different).
My first job after graduating from college was in retail at a department store. I actively applied for various jobs while working and saving money. My ultimate goal was to teach English in Japan before settling in a career, but I knew I had to have a backup plan in case my dream didn't happen.
After six months of working in retail, I interviewed with Amity Corporation and accepted a teaching position in Tottori, Japan, where I lived and taught English for six months. It was a life-changing experience that built my confidence and showed me how important proper communication is. About four months after I returned home, I heard a former classmate was starting a local magazine, so I sent him a message and expressed my interest in contributing as a writer.
Shortly after, I accepted a job as the technical writer at Submar in March 2013 after submitting my resume for a completely different position. The manager interviewing me saw my portfolio and noticed my writing abilities, so he mentioned an unadvertised technical writing position if the company president approved (which he did!).
““My campus job taught me how to work with a variety of personalities and also how important knowing one’s audience is. For example, the proposals I compose on a daily basis require technical language and terms specific to our clients while my feature stories for the magazine are more conversational and creative.””
What was another writing-related job that was important in your career?
I worked as a writing and French tutor for three years on campus. I assisted students from all disciplines and for all types of classes—English, business, culinary, Family and Consumer Sciences, biology... you name it! I helped many students who learned English as a second language, which challenged me to explain grammar rules and syntax a bit differently than I usually did for native English speakers. As writing tutors, we were not allowed to proofread and edit students' papers; we encouraged the student to read his or her paper aloud in order to identify any transition errors or content issues. Our job was to instill confidence and knowledge in "tutees" so that they could become more effective writers. My campus job taught me how to work with a variety of personalities and also how important knowing one's audience is. For example, the proposals I compose on a daily basis require technical language and terms specific to our clients while my feature stories for the magazine are more conversational and creative.
What did you do in college to prepare for your post-grad life?
In addition to working in the Tutorial and Academic Enhancement Center, I served as the president of English Society for two and half years and the editor of Mosaic, the campus literary magazine, for one year. I learned marketing and networking skills through my leadership positions. I helped to restructure English Society and market it to encourage more students to join, and now English Society is one of the most popular clubs on my alma mater's campus. I also developed camaraderie with my professors and showed them my determination to succeed within my degree program and in my future career.
““Your degree gives you the critical thinking skills, discipline, and communication proficiency not every degree program has. Writing is a skill that an employer does not have time to sit down and teach you; however, you can learn what your company is about and how to help it flourish with your abilities.””
What is your advice for students and graduates with an English degree?
Become involved on campus with any clubs or organizations that interest you and could allow you to showcase your skills. Compile a portfolio of your best works to show potential employers; seek out freelance jobs for a magazine or newspaper to build your material. The "real world" needs your skills more than you realize. Co-workers, friends, family, and referrals reach out to me for editing and writing tasks or freelance jobs frequently. Your degree gives you the critical thinking skills, discipline, and communication proficiency not every degree program has. Writing is a skill that an employer does not have time to sit down and teach you; however, you can learn what your company is about and how to help it flourish with your abilities. Step outside of your comfort zone and apply wherever you can. You never know who will take notice of your resume and talents.
You can check out Celeste's online portfolio here and connect with her on LinkedIn.
14 Professional Writing Tips For English Majors
One of the most significant, versatile, and marketable skills in any English major's repertoire is the ability to write clearly and effectively. However, even the best and brightest of us can come face-to-face with the dreaded "writer's block" or feel unsure of how our skills translate into a real-world setting. If you are in need of some writing inspiration and guidance, then take a look at these 14 tips shared by English majors who have made their writing skills work for them in their professional careers.
Book Recommendations for English Majors
We recently asked our audience for book recommendations on a wide variety of topics, including books about the craft of writing and editing, careers, professional guides, and more. Basically, if it's a book that could be useful to an English major, we want to know about it.
Thank you very much to everyone who shared their book recommendations! Below, you can take a look at the books that inspire and inform the modern English major.
Do you have a recommendation you'd like to share? Fill out our quick and easy survey here!
1. The Emotion Thesaurus by Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi
2. The Negative Trait Thesaurus by Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi
3. The Positive Trait Thesaurus by Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi
"This tried-and-true trinity is an absolute must-have for any novelist’s library, helping you create dynamic characters by exploring possible personality traits and emotions."
-Denise Leora Madre, English Major, Novelist & Essayist
4. What Color is Your Parachute? by Richard Bolles
"This book is an excellent guide when you're feeling lost in your job search. It helps you discover what you have to offer to the world by guiding you in how to translate your passions, talents, and interests into words and phrases an employer wants to hear. It also gets into the nitty-gritty of seeking employment, and how to deal with the anxieties and struggles of the current job market. The most important aspect of this book, however, is the way it helps you understand what type of employment works for you and your personality."
-Erica Lambright, English Major, Administrative Assistant, & Data Specialist
5. The Writer's Options: Lessons in Style and Arrangement by Max Morenberg and Jeff Sommers
"This book was a required text for one of my last classes during undergrad. Each chapter tackles a different element of sentence structure, followed by a few exercises to practice. Readers get to rearrange sentences and really dissect each line. I loved the book, because it made me analyze each and every word I write. Is it important enough to add? Is there a better, more precise way to say what I want to say? If I place this word here, does my meaning change? I could apply the skills from this book to all aspects of my craft - journalism, creative writing, scholarly papers. I'm using those skills right now! It's the grammar book for the biggest of word nerds.
"The book is a bit hokey though; the chapters are presented in a fictive English class, in which the students ask the teacher narrator about sentence structure. The kids are required to say "better" sentences than the ones the teacher presents, and they all get really into it by the end of the book. The exercises, however, are the real jewels of the story."
-Autumn Heisler, English/Creative Writing degree, Editorial Assistant
6. Rise of the Machines by Kristen Lamb
"This book is a veritable Bible for the modern author. Lamb demystifies marketing yourself and your work in the digital age, covering everything from writing effective bios to effectively using different social media platforms."
-Denise Leora Madre, English Major, Novelist & Essayist
7. Plot & Structure by James Scott Bell
"With clear literary examples, brainstorming suggestions, and pointed writing exercises, this book explores the intrinsic connection between plot and structure and effectively teaches how to solve potential problems with both."
-Denise Leora Madre, English Major, Novelist & Essayist
8. Mother Can You Not? by Kate E. Siegel
"Not only does Kate detail how she got into many unpleasant situations with her overbearing mother, but she ultimately discusses how she turned her social media into something big and decided to write her now bestselling memoir/humor book, Mother Can You Not?. For anyone out there who has a parent who says don't get an English degree or that you have to do something specific with your career, Kate will show you that your parents have nothing on her mom and that it is important to do things that you love, i.e. be an English major and writer. When Kate quits her job to write full-time, her mother freaks out, but later supports her daughter's career choices."
-Shira Kipnees, B.A. in English (Creative Writing) and Comparative Literary Studies, Freelance Journalist
9. Careers for Bookworms & Other Literary Types
"This book really opened my eyes to what careers are out there for me. It offers so many careers I hadn't even thought of!"
-Jaci Olson, English Major
10. They Say / I Say by Gerald Graff and Cathy Birkenstein
"The They Say / I Say series is the one of the best writing texts I own. It clearly defines arguments and also gives numerous examples. If you have difficulty integrating sources into your research essay, this is the book for you."
-Lauren Tubbs, English Major & Legal Assistant
11. Style: Ten Lessons in Clarity and Grace by Joseph M. Williams
"For me, Style: Ten Lessons in Clarity and Grace by Joseph M. Williams was the best writing/editing bookI've ever read. The best things the book does are show writers what to take out of sentences and how to restructure them for clarity. I always recommend the book to fellow writers because of how much it taught me about the mechanics of the craft. It should be a standard part of the English curriculum for literary folk and tech writers."
-Bart Leahy, Technical Writing M.A. & Freelance Tech Writer
12. Great Courses
"I'm a fan of the Great Courses literature and writing courses. Lectures are delivered via audio and/or video, and each comes with a printable PDF course guide with notes and exercises. I obtain them primarily via Audible, but if you have access to university interlibrary services, you're likely to find what you need on CD."
Courses I've used (since completing my degree! ) include:
Becoming a Great Essayist
From Plato to Postmodernism
How Great Science Fiction Works
Sacred Texts
The Story of Human Language
The Secret Life of Words
Understanding Literature and Life
Writing Great Fiction
-Christina Sanders-Ring, English Major
Charlotte O'Farrell: Marketing and Communications Specialist
Name: Charlotte O’Farrell
Age: 27
College & Majors/Minors: University of Nottingham, English BA (Hons)
Current Location: Nottinghamshire, UK
Current Form of Employment: Marketing and Communications Specialist
Where do you work and what is your current position?
I work for home automation firm Nice UK as their Marketing and Communications Specialist.
I also freelance as a copywriter in my spare time but due to family commitments I have to be quite selective with the amount of freelance work I take on!
Tell us about how you found your first job, and how you found your current job (if different).
I graduated when the jobs market was still feeling the effects of the recession, so finding my first job took a bit of time. Eventually I heard about a lady in my home town who runs her own small publishing company; she was looking for an extra pair of hands and took me on as an Editorial Assistant, partly because of the skills I honed while studying for my English degree.
I took my current job because I was looking for that all-important next step in my marketing career. I could tell from the job description that the role was very autonomous and full of opportunities to learn new skills in the industry.
What was another writing-related job that was important in your career?
In 2013 I was working in a sales support role for a fairly large company and looking for a career path I could commit to long term. After spending some time shadowing colleagues in lots of different departments, I realised that marketing was a great fit for my interests and skills. The next time that department had an opening (for a Product Marketing Executive) I applied and was delighted to be offered the job.
That role was important for two main reasons. Firstly, it allowed me to build on strengths I already had, such as copywriting, and gave me the chance to work on projects where I could showcase those. Secondly, it gave me many solid business skills that have set me up well for a career in marketing and are transferable if I ever decide to pursue a different path. I had always thought of marketing as primarily being about the communications and social media side so a product marketing role was quite different; it introduced me to areas of the business that I wouldn’t have thought about much before.
What did you do in college to prepare for your post-grad life?
I co-edited a creative writing magazine for my university. It was called The Jabberwocky, which often sparked a conversation in my job interviews after graduation!
In broad terms I spent a lot of time developing my interests through student societies and clubs, travelling when finances allowed, and taking courses outside of my specialism in any area that interested me. My university years were a wonderful time when I studied the subject I love and made lifelong friends.
““Don’t let anyone with a negative attitude towards your degree influence your thinking. Communication is vital in just about every business career and English students are masters at it.””
What is your advice for students and graduates with an English degree?
Don’t let anyone with a negative attitude towards your degree influence your thinking. Communication is vital in just about every business career and English students are masters at it. Your degree isn’t “just reading a few books” (unfortunately this is something that was said to me in all seriousness once!) – it’s the perfect foundation for some really fulfilling, interesting careers and savvy hiring managers will recognise that.
““...”if you do find yourself struggling after graduation, don’t panic! It took me several years to see the full benefit of an English degree and I had some unrelated jobs in the meantime, which were valuable and fun for different reasons. Don’t be afraid to take a job that’s not part of your original master plan.””
That said, try to bear in mind that it is just the starting point and be open to new paths that present themselves as your career plays out. You might find fulfilment in a job that’s connected to your degree but is a little different to what you were imagining, like bid writing. If you’re stuck and looking for a way forward, try listing the skills you’ve built on during your years of study and, importantly, what you’ve done to show you have them – perhaps you’ve written a blog or were your friends’ go-to person for proofreading work. This might prompt you to think of careers you’ve never considered before.
Finally, if you do find yourself struggling after graduation, don't panic! It took me several years to see the full benefit of an English degree and I had some unrelated jobs in the meantime, which were valuable and fun for different reasons. Don't be afraid to take a job that's not part of your original master plan.
You can connect with Charlotte O'Farrell on LinkedIn here.
10 Things I Learned From Teaching English to Non-English Majors
Last fall my school’s English department began a Graduate Teaching Assistant program, which allowed graduate students to teach an English 103 class all by themselves.
What a great opportunity! I thought, I’m in!
I didn’t know what I was in for. Standing there on my first day of school as a teacher, I felt like I wanted to slink away and go back to bed (I thought only students felt that way – apparently teachers can too). Of course I wasn’t allowed to do that, so on that first day I faced my class of 19 students and discovered that none of them were English majors. I had a lot of Business, a lot of Film, a few Bio, but absolutely zero English majors.
This made me kind of sad and a little scared – how was I supposed to teach English to others who might not value it in the same way I do?
But when I pushed through my fear, I discovered that even though my job was to teach others, I wound up learning a lot myself – not only about teaching, but about English too!
The semester had many ups and downs, but by the end of it I knew that the experience was valuable, not only for my students but ultimately for myself. Teaching might not be for everyone, but here are ten valuable things I learned while trying to teach English to non-English majors:
1. Writing is hard for everyone.
I expected that my students would struggle with writing, but I also had a hard time creating responses and assignments myself. It’s one thing to identify a grammar mistake; it’s another thing to explain it to someone else. All of us – my students and I – definitely had to struggle with writing in order to make it work for us last semester.
2. Creating assignments is just as hard as doing them—and may actually be even harder.
Writing an essay prompt is a lot harder than you’d think! There are many aspects to consider: prompts should be rigid enough to be clear, but open enough to give students freedom; they should be short enough to leave room for interpretation but long enough to fully explain expectations – and those are just a few of the requirements of a good prompt. It’s hard writing assignments, and I’m surprised that writing a prompt isn’t a regular assignment itself (Hey! That’s a good idea for next time).
3. You should read the syllabus.
Often when a student would ask a question, I’d point them back to the syllabus or assignment sheet. When a student would miss an assignment I’d be confused, because not only was it often announced in class and online, it was also ultimately found in the syllabus.
I totally understand now why teachers stress reading the syllabus before asking any questions; many of them (including myself) put a lot of hard work into organizing the class, and this can be reflected in the very syllabus you receive at the beginning of the school year. It’s a valuable resource that teachers create especially for you – use it!
4. Your major has nothing to do with how well you write.
As I mentioned, none of my students were English majors, but I was absolutely delighted to see how many of them were already great writers. By the end of the semester I respected every major in that classroom, and I really appreciated how students of different majors provided unique perspectives in their assignments and during class discussions.
5. It’s amazing to see writers grow.
I was absolutely amazed to see how some students progressed through the semester. Even I know I wasn’t the best teacher, but my students really put in the effort, and by the end of the semester I was floored by how well some of them could write.
6. Teaching English is a great way to learn English.
It’s a well-known fact, but if you want to learn something, try teaching it to someone else. I found myself learning so much about English while teaching it because it required me to be able to fully understand and articulate concepts like grammar and analysis. Working as a tutor or a teacher is great practice for English majors – it’ll really help you understand the intricacies of the language better.
7. Most teachers grade to help you improve, not to make you feel bad.
I really detested giving out grades lower than a C, and by the end of the semester I was tempted to just give everyone As because I knew they were putting good effort in. After getting to know my students and grading their work, I know now that grades should considered a way to see areas you can improve, not as final, personal judgements.
I know there are many teachers out there who probably do have hidden agendas behind their grading system, but I also know from my own experiences that at the end of the day, I gave out low grades because I knew my students could do better and I wanted them to know how. I think this is why it’s incredibly important to read your teachers’ comments on your papers if they give them, or even ask why a grade is what it is if you’re not sure. If your teacher is an honest grader (and many are), then a C doesn’t mean that you’re a bad person; it more likely means that your skills can improve.
8. Teachers want to help you—let them!
Teaching keeps you very busy, but I always made sure to give help to those who asked. In fact, I was really excited when people took my offers to meet with them outside of class to discuss essays or projects. I’d never be able to develop helpful relationships with my students unless they also made an effort to talk to me and let me know their needs.
It never hurts to talk to your teachers one on one and make sure they know what you need – chances are, they really want to help you.
““To all teachers out there: thank you. Your hard work and care for your students are an undeserved blessing.””
9. Teachers don’t get paid enough.
There is absolutely no way I would’ve been able to live off of the salary I received that semester, and I can’t even imagine what it’s like for adjunct professors who have to teach not one, but five classes just to be able to make ends meet. The ratio of work put into teaching to how much compensation teachers actually receive is staggeringly uneven; I still can’t figure out how teachers have the patience and the skill to navigate students, planning, and other academic work on the lowest salary imaginable.
To all teachers out there: thank you. Your hard work and care for your students are an undeserved blessing.
10. Teachers are only human.
Teaching is an incredibly hard job: incredibly rewarding, but incredibly hard, and as much as I wanted to make sure every student got the attention, lesson plan, and learning style they needed, I simply didn’t have enough time to cater to everyone’s needs. I could only do my best to make sure I taught as clearly as possible – the actual act of learning, however, was ultimately up to my students.
Teachers are only human, after all, and I believe that treating them as respectfully as possible can really result in some great learning.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Tami Orendain has a B.A. in English, an M.A. English, and pretty much just really likes English. A reader from an early age, she chose English on a whim on her college applications, and discovered that what was just a quick checkmark on a list of majors soon became a lifelong passion. With an interest in helping others discover the joys of reading and writing, Tami has worked as both a teacher and a tutor, and currently heads content for the online magazine DisneyExaminer to help others realize how important English is in modern culture. Her literary interests range from 18th century British literature to modern YA lit and beyond, and when not reading or writing she can often be found serving at her local church, exploring libraries, or watching cartoons (current favorite: Avatar: The Last Airbender). Feel free to feel free to view her portfolio and contact her at emtami.wordpress.com.
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Ayesha Gallion: Senior Communications Editor
Name: Ayesha Gallion
Age: 40
College & Majors/Minors: Morgan State University (English with Journalism Concentration/Minor in Secondary Education); Rutgers University (English with Concentration in Women and Gender Studies)
Current Location: North Brunswick, New Jersey
Current Form of Employment: Plastics Manufacturing Industry, Corporate Communications
Where do you work and what is your current position?
I am the senior communications editor at Inteplast Group, the largest integrated plastics manufacturer in North America. I work out of its headquarters in Livingston, New Jersey.
Tell us about how you found your first job, and how you found your current job (if different).
My very first job as it relates to being an English major was as a reporter for the West Orange Chronicle, one of several local newspapers owned by Worrall Newspapers, which covered several towns in Northern New Jersey. The salary wasn't that great but the experiences were priceless! I really learned how to interface with all kinds of people. I interviewed politicians, actors, authors, and so many others – veterans, former Olympians – it was amazing what I encountered in that small town in the surrounding areas. As the sole reporter for the Chronicle I wrote between six to nine stories per week ranging from council and board of education meetings to cute little features on town murals and or personality profiles.
I found my current position after being in education for almost 10 years after leaving publishing. I had a passion for learning about various industries but I wanted to apply my editorial and communications skills and knew that it might be a challenge to find such a fit. Design – industrial, interior, and construction, as was technology, were all on my list. Inteplast manufactures plastics for a host of industries, including all that were on my list, plus foodservice, janitorial and sanitation, grocery, and medical.
““Adult colleagues in other industries are not that much different from eager and curious teens. Both demographics often value feeling listened to and respected versus patronized and ignored.””
My experience reporting on design and lighting industries, plus my knowledge of WordPress and some public relations know-how were all assets that landed me the position. Also, I think my outlook on how to relate to a variety of people in different positions (C-suite, machine operators, engineers, marketing, etc.) as well as from different backgrounds (ethnicity, religion, race, etc.) made the vacancy and culture an excellent fit for me.
I would grant some of this credit to being an educator at a magnet high school for the arts. I developed compassion, patience, and the ability to clarify complex concepts to many amazingly talented students who required, at times, unorthodox engagement of text and writing exercises. Adult colleagues in other industries are not that much different from eager and curious teens. Both demographics often value feeling listened to and respected versus patronized and ignored.
What was another writing-related job that was important in your career?
My experience as the associate editor of Home Lighting & Accessories magazine is one that I will always cherish. I worked with a small team of brilliant editors and writers who not only knew how to take a trade show by storm but also how to objectively self-edit. They taught me how to edit my work and that of others, the latter particularly through the art of “suggestion,” which disarms writers who may be a bit thin-skinned about having their work critiqued.
I learned, especially from our editor in chief, Linda Longo, who later founded enLIGHTenment magazine, how to deal with a variety of personalities in the world of sales and manufacturing. Not to mention, I loved going to the shows in Dallas, High Point, and New York. I remember reporting on Swarovski couture lighting, meeting interior designer Tom Redd who was with Oscar de la Renta at the time, and interviewing so many talented people in the design industry all while immensely enjoying the company of my colleagues.
Linda was so supportive of my editorial ideas. I remember once trying to get an interview with Lenny Kravitz about a chandelier he had designed. Although Linda probably knew his publicist wouldn't grant the interview, she let me at least try. She was the kind of editor who helped me learn to trust my own instincts as well as seek improvement in my editorial execution of content and fact-checking.
What did you do in college to prepare for your post-grad life?
I learned how to push the envelope just a bit so that an audience is privy to more information and to share that information in a way that is engaging. I got those experiences mainly from sharing writing or analysis in literature or journalism classes. I especially was able to spread my wings while working as an intern fact-checker at the Baltimore City Paper under Mike Brodie, who was my editor.
I remember choosing to highlight an Old Dirty Bastard show that was coming to Charm City and writing a witty blurb to go along with his quintessential wacky braid out promotional photo. I was able to present information in a way that I found engaging and in a manner I knew others might appreciate it. I learned there the beginnings of crafting my voice for media purposes. There were perks, too. I also was able to get free tickets to see “Wilde,” the biopic about Oscar Wilde. As a 19-year-old, I was mesmerized seeing his life and along with Bosie's drama king antics brought to life on the big screen.
““No English major should opt to stay in a ‘safe’ career because he or she fears that not having a technical background will hinder possibilities for success. I believe some of society’s most critical thinkers and fastest learners have studied literature, communications, and educational theory under the umbrella of the English major.””
What is your advice for students and graduates with an English degree?
Don't be afraid to be proud of being multifaceted and talented in a variety of areas. I find that with many of my friends who were English majors they are amazing in anything they decide to do! They can elevate the educational standards in struggling schools, write copy for news anchors, become news anchors, pitch exciting stories to publications, or launch media outlets that change the way people process information about everything from law to gender studies.
No English major should opt to stay in a “safe” career because he or she fears that not having a technical background will hinder possibilities for success. I believe some of society's most critical thinkers and fastest learners have studied literature, communications, and educational theory under the umbrella of the English major. The best communicator is often the best at comprehension – as English majors it gives us a huge advantage in an array of industries.
There is so much that we are able to comprehend and deconstruct in ways that a linear thinker would have a difficult time digesting or projecting. Also, do eventually make it a point to dip your toe into technical or financial industries if you feel that there's also a part of you that would excel in manufacturing or sales, for instance.
