Why did you pick your major? I am in a bit of a unique position: I actually did not enter QU as an English major. I came into the university undeclared, because I wanted to give myself the opportunity to explore the array of options available to us in order to help me gain clarity in my interests and better navigate through a path towards a career after college. English had always been embedded within those interests, and coming in, being a high school English teacher was one of the career tracks I constantly reverted back to. But my first semester of my freshman year, I took a unique English course (EN103H—Sci-Fi and Fantasy) that focused on three specific genres of contemporary literature: fantasy, horror, and science-fiction. The energy within this classroom was like nothing I had previously experienced in my education—the excitement with which our professor conducted the class encouraged us all to approach the course with similar enthusiasm, and it provided for an environment that was both comfortable and stimulating, conducive to learning in all the best ways. The intellectual fulfillment and enrichment I experienced in this class helped to illustrate the specific reasons that I had previously been interested in English, while also igniting a much stronger appreciation for and curiosity about the complexities of literature, specifically in considering the writing process. After taking this class, I knew that this is where I felt happiest and most satisfied (emotionally and intellectually), and so I decided to declare my major!
Why do you like it? There are so many wonderful things about being an English major, but I think the most outstanding piece for me is the composition of our department—we are so fortunate to have incredible faculty members who each bring something unique to their courses, but who all share the most important quality of an effective professor: a passion for what they do. Not only do the professors in the English department have a vast amount of knowledge about their specific field/content area, but they also have a clear and profound interest in this content, and in provoking that same inquisitiveness in their students. Our faculty prioritize student learning, and they work to engage us in new ways of thought that challenge us to produce innovative and insightful interpretations while training us to exercise and expand our capacity for critical inquiry. The variation in content and structure of these English courses also exposes us to a multitude of learning experiences, each providing us with an opportunity to construct our own knowledge, further encouraged through peer-peer interaction. In all of my English classes, the professors clearly emphasize the role of the student and facilitate discussion in such a way that our responses are valued and welcomed. This approach consistently sets my English classes apart from my others, and contributes greatly to my love for the major.
Do you have a professional field in mind? Although I have not yet solidified a clear professional field for myself, I know the elements that I would like to search for—frequent interactions with others, the opportunity for learning and growth, and an academic foundation grounded in literature (all of the things I gain from being an English major). I feel very strongly that my interests lead me towards a position in education, but my current decision lies in the specifics of this (Do I want to teach high school students? Do I want to pursue a PhD and teach at the college level?). For the time being, I am comfortable and confident in completing my undergraduate education as an English major, and I know that the skills I am gaining will be beneficial to me in any professional field, but also that the opportunity to focus on my interests here will guide me to a professional field that I will find fulfilling.
What internships/research/experiential learning have you engaged in to help clarify areas of interest or prepare for life after QU? One of the most beneficial learning experiences I have engaged in is actually something I continue to take part in; I have been a Peer Catalyst in a First-Year Writing course for four semesters now, and this position has been most helpful in illuminating my interests for me. After working with my first group of students during the second semester of my freshman year, I was able to recognize the profound admiration (and genuine love) I had for both the job and the students. Being able to work closely with students in the classroom and providing them feedback that prompted noticeable improvements in their writing and their learning as a whole was incredibly rewarding, and the incomparable pride I felt towards the students helped me to recognize that pursuing a career in education may be best for me. Conversely, I took on an internship this past summer with a private publisher in order to gather information about other potential career paths for an English major, and although I am grateful for this experience, the tasks I completed left me feeling unfulfilled, thus helping me to further clarify my interests and career pursuits. Check out my trip to Morocco as part of a faculty-lead study abroad course!
What advice would you give to a student considering your major at QU? Do it. Don’t even think twice. If you have the slightest interest in literature or writing or a liberal arts education, you will thrive as an English major. You will be amazed by how much even one class can expand your analytical skills—to the point where you will be exercising cognitive skills you may not have even identified within yourself. As an English major, you don’t learn what to think; you learn how to think, and those are skills that are transferable to any facet of life. I like to say I’m the department’s biggest fan, and I truly believe that becoming an English major was one of the best things to ever happen to me. Ultimately, this is how everyone should feel about their majors, and I feel strongly that the intellectual fulfillment we experience as English majors contributes largely to this sentiment.
