Joshua Taylor: ESL Teacher

Name: Joshua Taylor

Age: 25

College & Majors/Minors: University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Bachelor of Arts in English with a minor in Children’s Literature and Child Studies

Current Location: Charlotte, NC

Current Form of Employment: ESL Teacher at Borealis Language Academy

Where do you work and what is your current position?

I currently work for Borealis Language Academy based in Charlotte, NC and I am currently a ESL Teacher.

Tell us about how you found your first job, and how you found your current job (if different).

My first job ever was actually as a busser for the Flying Biscuit. They were opening their first location out of the greater Atlanta area and venturing into Charlotte. I was around 17-18 at the time so I simply walked over there and filled out an application. One interview later and I was hired.

As for how I found Borealis, I called a friend and former schoolmate of mine (I graduated first). She was a teacher there at the time, so I asked if there was a position open. She then gave me the contact information of the academic coordinator, to which I emailed him my career resume (I have two resumes depending on if the position is related to my degree. If it doesn’t, then I use my regular work resume). He then forwarded it to the director of the academy. We then set up an interview and I was hired upon the end of the interview.

What did you do in college to prepare for your post-grad life?

I focused on having a strong work ethic by not only ensuring that my grades were never below a C, but I also volunteered at my local high school's ESL program in order to gain teaching experience. Aside from the creative fiction assignments I did for class, I also wrote on the side and asked my professors about graduate school, should I decide to take that path. I think that holding on and remembering why you are studying English (either Literature, Creative Writing, Technical, or Language) helps you focus on what you want to do in life.

What is your advice for students and graduates with an English degree?

Be very flexible because being an English major has plenty of applications aside from reading and writing. We are rather good at analyzing, deductive reasoning and lateral thinking – all skills that not a lot of people have learned. Do develop other skills that pertain to your interest outside of English, because they can help you network a lot better. Also, don’t be afraid to ask your professors in your department for help. Chances are they have either made the same academic pitfalls or have seen others do it before you. They are also great resources in regards to graduate school – a window that you can peer in (especially the more recent graduates who are now teaching your classes).

Finally, for my fellow fiction writers. Write what you know is the worse advice you can ever get. Write about what you like and what interests you the most. Also, there is no one true format, so use whichever you can get the most out of. Short story and flash fiction is the most difficult of all but if you can master those, you can master novellas and novels. Also, take a page from your favorite author and emulate their style while developing your own. A national best-seller once told me that you are having a conversation with your favorite author by doing do. That being said, look at other mediums because some of the greatest stories have been told in ‘non-traditional’ formats (comics, movies, tv shows and record albums to name a few).

Posted on December 23, 2015 by Alyssa W. Christensen and tagged Teaching.

Cris Genc: Assistant Teacher

Name: Cris Genc

Age: 23

College & Majors/Minors: Bachelor of Arts in English, and a minor in Communication: University of Connecticut

Current Location: Fairfield County, CT

Current Form of Employment: Employed as an Assistant Teacher

Where do you work and what is your current position?

I work at a local Preschool as an Assistant Teacher. I really love working with children.

Tell us about how you found your first job, and how you found your current job (if different).

It just sort of fell in my lap. It’s not my dream job, but it’s a start. Remember that you shouldn’t settle for less than what you want, but don’t rule out any opportunity to grow, either. It’s all about balance. Work is work and people are people. No matter what you do, you need to do it with a smile on your face and be thankful that you have a job in tough economic circumstances.
I have two pieces of advice for you post-grad job-seekers: 1. Dress for the job you want, not the job you have. 2. Be kind, be grateful, and never stop learning.

What was another writing-related job that was important in your career?

I haven’t yet, but I really want to land a job writing or editing (especially in New York City). It’s an amazing place to be able to get any kind of professional experience because there is so much there and there is so much room for growth and learning. America really is a great place to live because we have so many opportunities for employment for a variety of people. I also like writing articles, it’s a great way to get subjects that you care about off your chest!

What did you do in college to prepare for your post-grad life?

Well, to be honest with you, I take one day at a time, but I have a goal, too. You see, the most important things in life are really doing what you love and doing the right things. Do what you want because none of us are getting out of this thing called “life” alive. Preparation is key to success, so I would say I did all my work, on-time, and with a smile on my face. I never gave up, and I advise you to do so, too!

What is your advice for students and graduates with an English degree?

Okay, seriously. Be prepared for these questions: “Oh, and what do you plan to do with that?” “Will you be a teacher?” Also, people will always try and discourage you. Like you won’t make any money or there are no jobs. Let me just tell you, if you are a diligent person, and you believe in yourself, then you’ll be just fine. Don’t ever let people discourage you from majoring in something you love, and something you’re good at. There were times when I questioned if I really wanted to major in English, and I did, but I felt that it was the right fit for me, and hey, English is the universal language of the world. There are limitless possibilities for you my friends!

If you’re interested, follow me on Instagram @crisluvsjesus and read my blog!

Posted on December 23, 2015 by Alyssa W. Christensen and tagged Teaching.

How to Find Your Perfect Internship in 5 Steps

As an English major, you've probably heard the question "So what are you going to do with that degree?" from everyone you know. Well, college is the perfect time to figure out the answer to that question, as well as hone your skills and make connections. One of the most efficient ways of gaining experience and getting your foot in the door while you are still in college is an internship. Here are some tips for finding your perfect internship!

1. Identify your goals.

What do you want to get out of an internship? Do you want to become an expert at copy-editing? Do you dream of having 300 LinkedIn connections? Do you want to make sure that you really do want to be a writer for a newspaper? Try to figure out your must-haves for your internship experience. When I was applying for internships, I made a list of the experiences and skills that I wished to gain from an internship, and I searched for internships that would offer me those opportunities. This list proved invaluable when I ended up being accepted to two internships and could only pick one!

2. Do some research.

You're probably really good at researching by now, and here is a chance to apply those skills to the internship hunt! Identify companies in your area (or elsewhere, if you are able to move for an internship) that offer internships. I highly recommend internships.com, indeed.com, LinkedIn, and even Facebook (who knows—your aunt's employer may need an intern this summer!). Your college career center and professors may also have some good ideas. If you can, talk to past or current interns as part of your research to help determine if this internship would help you complete your goals. Use glassdoor.com to read what full employees think about the companies that you research as well. This can also help you figure out if the internship is with a legitimate company that will help you achieve your identified goals.

3. Do some spring-cleaning and ask for feedback.

Polish your resume, LinkedIn profile and social media profiles. It helps to think about applying for internships as practice for applying for your first job after college. This is a great opportunity to get feedback (from your college career center and employers alike) and figure out what employers will look for in your resume and profiles. Working on your resume and profiles can also help you figure out what you desire in an internship—if you are really interested in a career in marketing, but you don't have much experience in the field yet, an internship with a marketing agency or in the marketing department of a company would be very beneficial.

4. Follow the companies' processes for applying to internships.

Again, this is good practice for applying to your first job after college. Make sure that you submit all requested materials (usually a resume and cover letter, but some employers may also request writing samples). If the company gets in touch with you regarding your application, reply professionally and politely.

5. Selecting the internship.

If you get multiple acceptances, think back on your goals and try to identify which internship would benefit you most. It may help as well to ask targeted questions of your potential employer, such as "Would I have the opportunity to work with the editing team during this internship?" to make sure that you would gain the skills and experiences that you desire. If you get one acceptance, still make sure that the internship is right for you. If it isn't, don't worry, and keep applying! Employers update their internship openings regularly (peak times tend to be from December to May for summer internships, in my experience), so don't lose hope. With some research, patience, and determination, you will find your perfect internship!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Teddi Strassburger will be graduating from Georgia College in Milledgeville, GA in May 2016 with a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and a minor in French. She is the editor-in-chief of The Corinthian, Georgia College’s student research journal, and she is currently interning as a copy-editor. When she isn’t playing with words, Teddi can be found giving tours on campus, watching movies about space and/or superheroes, and trying to plan another trip to Paris. You can find her at her LinkedIn.

Posted on December 6, 2015 by Alyssa W. Christensen and filed under Articles, Featured Articles, Internship Resources.

4 Important Things You Can Learn From an Internship

I'm sure you've heard by now that an internship while you're in college or in the first year after you graduate can help you land your dream job. Here are some of the ways that my internships in editing and marketing have helped me, both in the job search and in my education!

1. Professional communications:

One of the most valuable skills that I have gained from my internships is the ability to speak with people in a professional setting. Discussions with bosses or coworkers are different from discussions with professors or fellow students, and an internship is the perfect place to observe how people in a professional setting interact. It's also a great opportunity to practice that communication style yourself. This will help you a lot when you start interviewing for jobs, because you will be more confident and will sound more mature and experienced in a business setting.

2. Networking:

As an intern, I learned how important networking is for my future career. Connecting with people in my desired career path through my internships has led me to solidify my desire to work in editing, and I now have mentors to turn to when I have questions regarding the field and my work. I am also now more confident when it comes to talking to potential coworkers and employers in my field, because I gained experience in that while an intern.

3. Taking criticism:

It can be difficult to be told that you need to improve upon something or that you completed a task incorrectly. As an intern, I learned how to handle criticism with grace (both from watching coworkers receive criticism and from receiving criticism myself), which also built my confidence in a professional setting. Since I already had a trial run in the workplace as an intern, I know now that I can handle criticism maturely, and I know how to respond to it professionally and respectfully, which will definitely help me in my career.

4. Leadership, confidence, and responsibility:

While I was an intern, I was responsible for various areas of the business for which I worked. I had guidance and mentors, but I did have to make decisions on my own. Through these experiences, I developed a sense of leadership (especially with regards to speaking for and defending my ideas and decisions, not to mention actually making decisions!), confidence (along with taking ownership of my decisions and their outcomes), and responsibility (my decisions would impact the business). These traits are invaluable when it comes to a career, and an internship is the perfect place to learn and perfect them.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Posted on December 6, 2015 by Alyssa W. Christensen and filed under Articles.

GIVEAWAY: 3 Lucky Winners Will Each Win 3 Bibliophilia Prints Each by Obvious State

Obvious State is a New York City-based design studio co-founded by Evan and Nichole Robertson. We’re word lovers who make things for fellow word lovers.

All of our products are meticulously crafted in the United States and printed on the finest papers and materials. After all, beautiful language deserves beautiful treatment.

3 Lucky Winners Will Each Win 3 Bibliophilia Prints Each by Obvious State!

Each print is 13'' x 19'' and printed on gorgeous matte Mowhawk archival paper (which is made in New York). Winners will be able to choose any three prints from the Bibliophilia collection!

Rules for Entry

To enter, you must follow Obvious State on Instagram @ObviousState.
Entries must be received by Sunday, November 29, 2015 at midnight PST.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Terms & Conditions

Entries must be received by Sunday, November 29, 2015 at midnight PST.
Three winners will be chosen at random on Sunday, November 29, 2015 at midnight PST. Winners will be notified on Monday, November 30.
If we do not hear back from the winner by Sunday, December 6, 2015 at midnight PST, another winner will be chosen at random.
Each winner wins three Bibliophilia prints. Each winner gets to choose any three 13'' x 19'' prints from this selection.

Posted on November 22, 2015 by Alyssa W. Christensen and filed under Giveaway.

What Exactly is a Degree in Professional Writing?

I’m an English major, but at the same time I’m not. English majors, at my university, take courses in literature and writing to be well-versed in all things English. However, I am a professional writing major—with a creative writing minor—and we take similar courses but focus more so on writing.

“What is ‘professional writing’?” This is a question I hear often. Well, “this major prepares students for careers in a variety of writing fields, including technical and scientific communication, business communication, editing and publishing, journalism, and public relations,” (www.uwplatt.edu/english/academic-programs). In other words, it’s the major for an English major who wants to become a writer of sorts.

We professional writing types are required to take English Literature, American Literature, and one additional literature course. We need to have at least one writing internship taken for credit. Also, it is required to take multiple writing courses that can include any of the following: Introduction to Creative Writing, Poetry Writing, Technical Writing, Fiction Writing, Creative Nonfiction Writing, Advanced Writing, Magazine Writing and Editing, Basic Newswriting and Reporting, Applied Communications, and Editing for Print. We are also required to take a few linguistic courses which include Introduction to Linguistics, Sociolinguistics, Language and Culture, Grammar in Context, and History and Theory of Rhetoric. Among these requirements, all English majors (professional writing included) have to take an additional two semesters of a foreign language than the general education requirement, and we have to have a couple philosophy courses.

The creative writing courses (Introduction, Poetry, Fiction, and Advanced) are workshop based classes and are my favorite part of being a professional writing major. We are given prompts to write on each week, and we workshop our pieces in class with the other students. For the last three semesters I have had the opportunity to receive and provide feedback from/to my peers, which has led to the improvement of my own writing and my communication skills.

All of the literature, writing, and linguistic classes are equally challenging and interesting. I have wonderful professors who are successful in their fields and have travelled the world to share their cultural views. My professors have built curriculums to challenge their students to expand their comfort zone past its current boundary. They also want nothing more than to watch their students become successful, and they prove this by working with us individually, guiding us to our niche in the writing world.

It took me a long time to figure out where my niche would be. I originally chose to attend this university for secondary English education. I thought I was going to be a teacher because I was one of those people that thought that was all you could do with an English degree.

However, I was wrong in thinking it was what I wanted to do with my life. I sat down with one of my professors one day and she told me all the other options I had available to me. She told me about the professional writing major our campus provides and the careers I could go in to with it. That’s when I decided I wanted to become a publisher and writer. The day after I talked with my professor, I went and changed my major to professional writing with a minor in creative writing.

Note: I am not degrading those who are English teachers or going to be. I love the vast majority of the English teachers/professors I have encountered in my life. I applaud you and wish there were more of you in this world! I am simply stating, this was not what I was meant to do in life.

**All major requirements taken from: http://www.uwplatt.edu/english/english-majorminor-requirements

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kelsey (aka: Kay) Bigelow is a 22-year-old junior working towards her Bachelor’s degree in Professional Writing, with a Creative Writing minor, and she will be working towards her Master’s degree immediately following. Kelsey hopes to become a publisher of poetry and fiction. Outside of blogging at My Gibberish (organizedgibberish.blogspot.com) and being a student, she works as a writing consultant and as the Assistant Editor of Stylus: An Anthology of Freshmen Writing published by her university.

Posted on November 9, 2015 by Alyssa W. Christensen and filed under Articles, Featured Articles.

Original LIMITED EDITION Dear English Major T-shirts

We have an exciting announcement: For a limited time, we’re offering original Dear English Major t-shirts through Teespring!

Featuring original artwork created just for Dear English Major, our t-shirts are available for purchase only on Teespring from now until November 29th.

2 designs are available in 15 different colors, 4 styles, and 5 different sizes to ensure that there's a little something for everyone. Strut your English major-style with our Dear English Major shirts that can't be purchased anywhere else!

Here’s how it works:

1. Place your order anytime during November 9th - 29th.

2. The limited edition campaign ends on November 29th. This is when all of the orders will be shipped. T-shirts will not be available for purchase after this date.

3. Orders take 10-14 days to ship. You will receive your order December 9th-13th, just in time for the holidays!

Posted on November 9, 2015 by Alyssa W. Christensen and filed under Articles.

Kristian Wilson: Freelance Writer

Name: Kristian Wilson

Age: 25

College & Majors/Minors: University of South Carolina Upstate, BA English with a cognate in Comparative Religion and History

Current Location: Upstate SC

Current Form of Employment: Freelance Writer

Where do you work and what is your current position?

I'm currently working from home as a writer for two online magazines. I log regular online shifts each week as a Books Feature Writer for Bustle, and I write for LadyClever as an independent contractor. I'm currently gearing up to finish a novel manuscript during NaNoWriMo, but I'll be looking for more freelance work once that's done.

Tell us about how you found your first job, and how you found your current job.

I started my blog, Kristian Wilson, Writing, in April 2014. I didn't really know what I was doing at first, as far as narrowing my focus goes, but that actually worked out in my favor. Between my blog and two unpaid websites, I produced a few solid features, which I used as clips to apply for the editorial internship I eventually secured.

While I was interning, I applied for a huge number of jobs I found on telecommuterjobs.net, a site that aggregates all remote job listings from Craigslist. That was in January or February 2015. I didn't hear back from any of them until April, and when I did, three of the online magazines I'd applied to responded within a week! I was sort of overwhelmed, haha, but I managed to type out coherent replies and wound up working for two of them: Bustle and LadyClever.

What was another writing-related job that was important in your career?

I sold my first story in March, and I was super excited. It was only $50, to be paid upon publication, but it was my first successful freelance pitch, and I was stoked. I signed all the necessary paperwork, wrote up the article, polished it, sent it off with all the photos and extras to accompany it. Then ... radio silence.

After I didn't hear anything for a while, I sent an email to check in. They'd had some internal change-ups, said my original email had probably been lost in the shuffle, and asked me to resend. I did, promptly. Cue more radio silence.

I'm an English Major Now What?

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By Timothy Lemire

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I've sent several emails and tweets to various contacts with that website, but I've never gotten a response. I stopped sending inquiries in April, after it became clear I wasn't going to get any replies. Because I already signed all their paperwork and sent them the story, they own it. I can't sell it elsewhere, but I also can't get paid until they publish it. I check every so often—they have a policy about filing invoices within 60 days of publication—but so far my essay hasn't turned up.

It was my first story, but it never materialized. I wonder what went wrong sometimes. Mostly I count myself lucky, because I got acquainted with freelance perils early on.

Writer's Market 2016: The Most Trusted Guide to Getting Published

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What did you do in college to prepare for your post-grad life?

Like any good English major, I read a lot and did research. The director of my senior seminar had us all get a copy of Timothy Lemire's I'm an English Major - Now What?, so that we could see what our options were. That book made me comfortable with putting off grad school until I had more stability. Once I decided that I wanted to go the freelance route, I went to every website I enjoyed reading—which are mostly all about feminism, books, and/or video games—and saved their submission guidelines. I also checked out the most recent Writer's Market volumes from my local library and took notes from them.

What is your advice for students and graduates with an English degree?

Think long and hard about what you want to do, and understand that you can always change your answer. Once you're set on doing something, stay focused, and always question whether or not the commitments and decisions you make are going to benefit you as a professional.

If you want to write, in any capacity, you have to keep your name out there. Take health breaks when you need to, but don't let yourself get stale. You always want to be publishing something, even if it's on your personal blog.

It's OK to tell people who have negative reactions to your college and career choices that they don't know what they're talking about. There's a difference between the jokes students make about hopeless career prospects and the ones people on the outside make when they're trying to tell you that you might as well quit school to manage a restaurant or work in a factory. There's nothing wrong with those choices, obviously, but if they aren't yours, they aren't yours, and there's nothing wrong with that, either.