Department of English
Printer-friendly version"What can you do with an English major?"
No doubt you've heard this question -- whether it's from your friends, your family, or even a random person in a coffee shop who just asked you what you were majoring in. The truth is that Penn English majors do just about everything: some become famous writers (like Jennifer Egan) or musicians (like John Legend) or journalists (like Andrea Mitchell). But many, many others find their ways into careers that you might not immediately associate with literature and writing. The skills these English majors learned at Penn, they report, help them in all these varied professions. Whether it's running a non-profit organization, managing political campaigns, starting a new business, litigating cases, caring for patients, or designing an ad campaign, our alums tell us that they value the skills they honed in Fisher-Bennett Hall: critical thinking, careful analytical reading, persuasive rhetoric, in-depth research.
We want to help our current majors explore the myriad possibilities for life after the Penn English major, and we've launched internships in organizations run by alumni and friends of Penn English in the community.
How to Apply:
English majors are eligible to apply. Each internship involves 20 hours a week for 8 weeks, and the student will receive an award from the English Department of $2500.
In order to apply, please give hard copies of the following to Loretta Williams (FBH 130) by noon on February 28, 2022:
- a brief statement of why you are interested in the position (300 words maximum)
- an unofficial transcript
- your resume
- the name of a faculty member who knows you well and is willing to provide a brief recommendation (300 words)
Previous Summer Alumni Mentorships & Student Interns