OpportunitiesDepartment of English

The English Department and the entire Gustavus campus nurtures a vibrant community of creators, providing ample opportunities for you to get involved, share your creative work, and deepen your learning outside the classroom. By embracing these opportunities, you can further develop a wide range of skills, expand your perspectives and learning, make meaningful friendships, and be more prepared to launch into your career.

Discover the Opportunities with English

• Firethorne Firethorne is the Gustavus literary magazine, which publishes solely student work. Its editorial staff is composed of students enrolled in English 350: Editing and Publishing. Being a Firethorne staff member offers an invaluable opportunity to engage with the publishing world. By actively participating in the selection and editing of submissions, students can develop their skills in evaluating and refining literary works, as well as gaining invaluable experience in successful collaboration. Plus, working alongside a faculty member who is a published author provides additional expertise and professional mentoring.

• Study Away Given the English Department's global emphasis, many students choose to study away in all parts of the world, including China, Vietnam, England, and Costa Rica. The English Department can accommodate many courses taken abroad as transfer credits for the major or minor. You should speak with your faculty advisor prior to applying for a program. The Center for International and Cultural Education (CICE) has a listing of available programs. And studying away can provide inspiration for writing, reading, and filmmaking by immersing you in new environments and exposing you to different literary and cultural traditions.

• Student Clubs and Campus Involvement The Gustavus campus is a hub of creative activity, with many opportunities for students from the English Department to collaborate with other creators.

  • The Weekly: Writing for the College newspaper provides practical experience in journalism, hones writing skills, and fosters a deeper understanding of storytelling and communication.
  • The Fourth Crown: The unofficial and satirical Gustavus news journal, The Fourth Crown offers a unique platform for students to explore humor, satire, and social commentary through writing. Involvement in such a publication can encourage creative expression and critical thinking.
  • Dead Poets Society Reading Club: The active Dead Poets Society Reading Club provides a space to appreciate and engage with classic and contemporary poetry. Inspired by the popular movie of the same name, this club fosters a sense of community among students who share a passion for poetry.
  • Student-Organized Film Festivals: The student-organized film festivals are an avenue for showcasing and celebrating visual storytelling.
  • Sigma Tau Delta: The English Department's support for Sigma Tau Delta, the international honor society for students of English, recognizes and honors academic achievement in the field.

• Awards and Prizes The English Department awards two annual prizes, both named after long-time distinguished members of the faculty. Any student may submit creative work to the Lawrence Owen Prizes in Creative Writing (categories: Poetry, Fiction, and Creative Non-Fiction), while the Florence Amamoto Prize for Academic Excellence in English Studies is highly selective: the department invites a few exceptional senior English majors to submit their work for this prize. Awardees receive recognition at the College's Honor's Day in May as well as a modest monetary award.

• Writing Center The Writing Center is an excellent resource providing individualized support for students seeking guidance with writing assignments at any stage of the writing process. The Writing Center employs experienced students from multiple disciplines to assist their peers. Becoming a Writing Center staff member supports your professional development, as you are trained to provide effective feedback and guidance on writing assignments in a supportive and collaborative environment.

• Bards in the Arb Bards in the Arb contributes to the literary culture and creative community at Gustavus by creating a space for meaningful conversations and connections between students and established writers. These public reading events bring writers at various stages of their careers to campus in order to share their creative work. Students and community members listen to good writing and meet these professional writers. These interactions can be invaluable for aspiring writers who can ask questions, seek advice, and gain insights into the writing process and the professional world of literature. Students also can help plan the events to gain experience with logistics and marketing.

• Career Readiness and Professional Development By encouraging internships, incorporating community partnerships into courses, focusing on writing skills transferable to numerous career paths, and connecting students with resources in the Center for Career Development, the English Department supports students' career readiness.

  • Internships: Internships are strongly encouraged for English students, who gain valuable real-world experience in fields such as publishing, marketing, and non-profit organizations. Engaging in an internship allows you to apply your skills and knowledge in practical settings, gain industry-specific insights, and develop professional networks. An internship can count toward completion of the major.
  • Courses with Community Partners: Some courses in the English Department involve collaboration with community partners, such as local non-profit organizations. These courses can bridge the gap between academic learning and real-world application.
  • Writing Focus: The English Department emphasizes skills and knowledge that are highly relevant to careers in marketing, writing, editing, publishing, and related fields, and all faculty help students to market themselves and their skills successfully.