About You
Where did you go to college?
I went to college at UNC Charlotte.
Did you attend college online, in person on campus, or both?
I attended college in person on campus.
Did you know what you wanted to major in before your Freshman year?
No, I was unsure of what I wanted to study for a while. I applied Undecided and did not declare a major until my sophomore year.
Did you receive any scholarships throughout your time in college? If so, what kind?
No, I did not receive any scholarships during my time in college.
Why did you choose this major?
I chose to major in English with a Creative Writing concentration because reading and writing had both been passions of mine for a long time and I saw this major as an opportunity to develop my natural inclinations into a skill which I could then apply to a career.
About the Major
What type of courses did you take for this major?
I took a range of creative writing courses focused primarily on crafting various forms of fiction ranging from short stories to novels. This included multiple writing workshops. Because I was technically an English major as opposed to a Creative Writing major, I also took quite a few literature courses to round out my studies.
What course did you find the most fun/least fun?
One of my favorite classes involved studying how writers have found inspiration for their work while walking. Our class went on walks all around campus, capturing details of our surroundings to incorporate into our work. It was a great practice in being present and identifying unique aspects of ordinary life to steal for a story.
The course that started out the least fun comparatively was my public speaking class. I have always found getting up in front of crowds intimidating, however, it was an extremely useful class and I recommend it to everyone.
What course did you find to be the hardest/easiest?
One of the most difficult courses I took was my undergraduate thesis seminar. I was a member of the English Honors College, so I was required to write a thesis before graduating. I chose to write a literary criticism piece as opposed to a creative one and it was one of the most challenging academic hurdles I had ever faced. That being said, I would absolutely do it again. I got the opportunity to travel to the University of Pennsylvania to do research at their archives (which was very, very cool) and presented my findings in front of my professors and peers. At which point, I thanked my lucky stars for my public speaking class.
The easiest course I took, purely in that it was so much fun, was my English Learning Community first-year seminar. The course was designed to bring the class together and acclimate us to campus life. Along with regular coursework, we conducted scavenger hunts, hosted a coffee hour for English faculty, and listened to guest speakers discuss the paths available to English majors. The guest speakers were especially helpful to me as I had not yet declared my major at that point.
What skills does this major require and develop?
In my opinion, this degree develops your ability to communicate your ideas effectively. Over the course of my studies, I learned to adopt a range of voices and styles in order to create different types of pieces. I also developed my ability to accept and apply constructive criticism. Writing workshops are vulnerable spaces for everyone involved, but they are also great opportunities to learn how to receive as well as offer professional, compassionate, and useful feedback.
What type of internship would be ideal for someone with this major?
My classmates completed a variety of different internships from social media marketing to copy editing to blog writing and more. I completed an internship at the UNCC Office of Disability Services during which I wrote captions for educational videos for students who were deaf or hard of hearing.
What minors or other courses might complement this major?
Many of my classmates minored/double majored in subjects such as psychology, journalism, history, film studies, marketing, or a foreign language. I minored in French, but I think that pursuing any subject within the humanities enhances an English/Creative Writing degree in that it helps you gain a better understanding of culture, human nature, the mind, et cetera and, therefore, strengthens your ability to create and empathize with characters.
Are there any special groups/associations for this major?
There are almost always creative writing clubs established on campus and those are always fun and inviting groups to join. As I mentioned, I was a member of the English Learning Community which is a first-year program designed to introduce new students interested in English to each other, to the campus, and to the English program. I was also a member of Sigma Tau Delta which is the collegiate International English Honors Society. This is another great way to meet fellow English majors, go to social/service events, and even participate in an annual conference where you can submit creative and/or rhetorical work. Lastly, I would recommend checking to see if your school of interest has a literary arts magazine. This can be a great place to work/volunteer and/or to potentially publish your work.
Post Degree
What can you do with this major?
There are a lot of options for careers with this major. You can pursue a career in writing creatively (books, screenplays, etc.), publishing, education, copywriting/copyediting, marketing/advertising, web content writing, journalism, librarianship, or public relations just to name a few.
What might be some unexpected careers?
One day for our English Learning Community seminar, a former venture capitalist and current businessman came and spoke on the value of being able to communicate one’s ideas effectively. He discussed how professional and succinct communication skills can open avenues into different industries, particularly those related to business. I had not considered this perspective before entering college but, as our guest speaker argued, this field of study trains the mind to innovate and problem solve, which can be an invaluable asset in the business world.
Is graduate work usually required to work in the fields associated with this major?
For certain career paths such as higher education, yes, graduate work is required. However, for many other fields such as web content design or media marketing, graduate work is normally unnecessary.
What type of graduate degree could you pursue with this major?
You can pursue a master’s degree, a master’s in fine arts degree, and a doctoral degree with this major.
Aly Jordan, Library Assistant