Join a campus publication, and write, write, write

Elizabeth Stone, Faculty

 

Describe your career path. What choices did you make? How did you use your time in college to help you along in your career path?

As a good critical reader, I was easily able to look at publications I wanted to write for and understand the publication's voice and audience, and the structure they wanted in articles. Consequently I was able to succeed as a freelance writer, gathering "clips," and moving toward ever more prestigious publications.

What advice do you have for English majors or English graduate students as they prepare for for careers? How can they stand out in a competitive job market?

Join a campus publication, and write, write, write. Become an editor and edit, edit, edit. Both writing and editing will improve your writing, and will demonstrate to anyone offering an internship or entry level job, that you've been committed to writing and paying your dues.