We receive numerous requests for internships and career opportunities from companies all over the Puget Sound region and beyond. On this page, you will find the most recent listings from Handshake, SU's job search platform, that are specifically suited to English majors. Current English Department students and our alumni can log-in to view and apply for these opportunities. You can also see the kind of skills that employers want below.
Internships are opportunities for English Literature and Creative Writing majors or Writing Studies minors to network and gain valuable professional experience. According to a recent study from Michigan State University,* employers go on to offer 50 % of their interns fulltime jobs!
(*Collegiate Employment Research Institute, Report, 2017. Study reported in NY Times, April 7, 2017)
English and CW students can take 5 credit internships as general electives, while Writing Studies students must take internships that are writing related toward their minor. You must meet with the Director of Internships, Dr. Kirsten Moana Thompson, thompski@seattleu.edu, to go over the requirements for credit. You can also choose to take internships without credit over the summer or regular academic year. All internships are pass/fail.
Recent opportunities enjoyed by English, CW or Writing Studies students have included Sasquatch Press, W.W. Norton Company, Seattle Publishing, Alaska Airlines Magazine, Artist Trust, Seattle Met magazine, Public Leadership Education Network, Washington State Democrats, Starbucks Coffee Company, Yes! Magazine, Hugo House, Seattle International Film Festival (curating), American Civil Liberties Union of Washington, Seattle Art Museum, Old Growth Northwest ( producing an anthology related to poetry in the prisons) and King County, Washington, Chin Music Press, eNotes, Wave books and others.
According to a recent survey report of the Association of American Colleges and Universities, the majority of business executives want college graduates with strong communication, critical inquiry skills, and problem-solving abilities. Indeed, many employers prefer hiring English majors and students in the humanities. The reasons are many. As a student in our department, you will cultivate or practice
More than you probably think! English majors are trained to read, write, and communicate exceptionally well. In an age of text messaging (does the word “could” actually have all those letters in it?) and speed email, the English major’s passion for and expertise with the language gives her an edge in almost any career field she might explore. English majors are successful in the business world (advertising and marketing are some of the more obvious choices), the legal profession (we’re used to reading all the time, after all), the entertainment industry, the arts world, and, of course, the noble profession of teaching.
Need a hand getting started with your job or internship search? Start by reading this general information about internships. The Career Services Department is available to talk you through the best options for English majors, help you narrow down what aspect of the writing field you would like to pursue, and can assist with preparing cover letters and resumes. The Career Services Department is available to talk you through the best options for English majors, help you narrow down what aspect of the writing field you would like to pursue, and assist with preparing cover letters and resumes. Use their appointment request form to request a meeting with one of their career advisors, who will help you search for and apply for internships through Handshake. Once you have found an internship and been accepted to it, you should download these internship forms, and make an appointment with Dr. Thompson, to discuss enrolling for your internship for academic credit. Please note that we do not do summer internships for credit.