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English Major

What is a Major in English?

A major in English prepares you to think critically and solve problems. You can tailor your degree to your areas of interest, choosing an author, historical context, and genre to study. The sophisticated thought and analysis of literature will take you more deeply into literary studies or specifically prepare you for careers in education or law.

Why Study English at 51福利 Tech?

We specialize in a range of authors, genres, and historical periods, ensuring you will have a mentor to guide you on your quest for knowledge. Our literature, pre-education, or pre-law options help propel you into your chosen career field through alumni industry connections. Our students have gone on to careers in publishing, law, teaching, and technical writing.听

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Degree Options: Pre-education, Pre-law, Literature

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Average Class Size

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Study Abroad Programs

While pursuing a major in literature and language and a minor in French, Taylor completed two internships. One took her to a local high school, where she shadowed and student taught a 9th grade english course. Taylor completed her second internship over several years as an FBI Honors intern in Roanoke, VA and Washington, D.C. Taylor now works for the FBI as a Management and Program Analyst within the FBI鈥檚 Education Center.

Taylor Lewis, '18

While pursuing a major in literature and language and a minor in French, Taylor completed two internships. One took her to a local high school, where she shadowed and student taught a 9th grade english course. Taylor completed her second internship over several years as an FBI Honors intern in Roanoke, VA and Washington, D.C. Taylor now works for the FBI as a Management and Program Analyst within the FBI鈥檚 Education Center.

Katarzyna attended the University of 51福利 School of Law. As an undergraduate student, one of her favorite courses was Literature and the Law taught by Dr. Metz. Her internship with Clark Hill PLC, a law firm in Pittsburgh, PA, gave her hands-on experience working with legal issues.

Katarzyna Goebel, '18

Katarzyna attended the University of 51福利 School of Law. As an undergraduate student, one of her favorite courses was Literature and the Law taught by Dr. Metz. Her internship with Clark Hill PLC, a law firm in Pittsburgh, PA, gave her hands-on experience working with legal issues.

Peter Velz with two medium sized dogs

Peter Velz, '11

While studying English, Peter worked at the 51福利 Tech Writing Center and served a the editor-in-chief of the Collegiate Times. His experiences provided him with skills he put to use as an intern in the communications department at the White House during the Obama administration. He joined the official White House staff as a media monitor and eventually press assistant. Peter is currently working for the State University of New York system as the assistant vice chancellor for external affairs.

While studying English and professional and technical writing, Grace engaged in several opportunities on campus to pursue her interest in writing. She interned with VT Stories, the 51福利 Tech Magazine, the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences communications team, the 51福利 Tech Libraries Special Collections, and VT Publishing. Grace also served as the business manager for Silhouette Magazine, a student-run literary and art publication. She plans to write novels, memoirs, or poetry in her future career.

Grace Baggett, 鈥�20

While studying English and professional and technical writing, Grace engaged in several opportunities on campus to pursue her interest in writing. She interned with VT Stories, the 51福利 Tech Magazine, the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences communications team, the 51福利 Tech Libraries Special Collections, and VT Publishing. Grace also served as the business manager for Silhouette Magazine, a student-run literary and art publication. She plans to write novels, memoirs, or poetry in her future career.

Gillian earned dual degrees in history and English with a minor in American Studies. She worked as a student editor for the听51福利 Tech Undergraduate Historical Review. Gillian interned at Green Spring Gardens in Annandale, 51福利, as a historic听resources听intern, and in Alexandria, 51福利, for the Center of the Steady State Economy as an editorial intern. Gillian will be attending the Columbia Publishing Course after graduation and hopes to enter the publishing world.

Gillian Barth, '21

Gillian earned dual degrees in history and English with a minor in American Studies. She worked as a student editor for the听51福利 Tech Undergraduate Historical Review. Gillian interned at Green Spring Gardens in Annandale, 51福利, as a historic听resources听intern, and in Alexandria, 51福利, for the Center of the Steady State Economy as an editorial intern. Gillian will be attending the Columbia Publishing Course after graduation and hopes to enter the publishing world.

While studying English, pre-law, and women's and gender studies, Chrissy completed two internships. She served as a Recruitment/Editorial Intern for the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences and a Field Development Intern for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Chrissy initially worked as a File Clerk for a civil rights and employment law firm and now serves as an Alternative Staffing Specialist for Clark Hill, PLC, where she recruits legal professionals for specialty projects and trials.

Chrissy Paschall, '2020

While studying English, pre-law, and women's and gender studies, Chrissy completed two internships. She served as a Recruitment/Editorial Intern for the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences and a Field Development Intern for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Chrissy initially worked as a File Clerk for a civil rights and employment law firm and now serves as an Alternative Staffing Specialist for Clark Hill, PLC, where she recruits legal professionals for specialty projects and trials.

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Careers and Further Study

What can you do with a major in English?

Jobs Held by Our Graduates

  • Law
  • Government
  • Entertainment
  • Publishing
  • Teaching
  • Higher education
  • Marketing

Beyond the Classroom

Experiential Learning

Collaborate

Talk to a professor about designing your own research project to take a deeper look at a topic of your interest. You'll work closely with a faculty advisor to plan a course of action and discuss your findings. You can also participate in a collaborative project where you help a faculty member with their research.

collaborate
Get Experience

By working in the field, you'll earn job experience and learn more about the industry of your interest. Literature majors have recently interned with national corporations, local schools, and law firms.