JoAnne C. Juett, Ph.D. Scientific and Technical Writing English Department, UWEC

FAMOUS ENGLISH MAJORS See anyone you know?

  glish/undergrad/careers glish/undergrad/careers  htm htm

 Writing - Communicating effectively with others in writing as indicated by the needs of the audience.  Active Listening - Listening to what other people are saying and asking questions as appropriate.  Speaking - Talking to others to effectively convey information.  Information Gathering - Knowing how to find information and identifying essential information.  Information Organization - Finding ways to structure or classify multiple pieces of information.

 Synthesis/Reorganization - Reorganizing information to get a better approach to problems or tasks.  Active Learning - Working with new material or information to grasp its implications.  Product Inspection - Inspecting and evaluating the quality of products.  English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Copy editor. Journalist. PR genius. Marketing wizard. Celebrated author. You may still be deciding where you'd like to take your English major. for-english-majors.asp

 American Society of Journalists & Authors-  Public Relations Society of America-  American Literature Association  National Council of Teachers of English-  American Association of Advertising Agencies-  Society for Technical Communications-  American Society of Magazine Editors- asme.magazine.org asme.magazine.org

 Work at a desk in an office  May be required to travel to another location to discuss a project with others.  Use personal computers and word processing or desktop publishing software for text, graphic, and multimedia production.  Meet deadlines  May work from home or at the employer's site.  May work alone or together under the supervision of a publication chief or editor, a product or procedure specialist, or a marketing manager.

EVALUATE YOUR CAREER GOALS What is your "dream job"? Where do you want to be 5 years from now? What skills and activities do you like to perform at work? What special populations interest you? What type of employers or industries attract you? What salary levels do you hope to attain? Visit UWEC Career Services web site:

LEARN HOW TO MARKET YOURSELF A.List and assess your strengths and weaknesses - Include the following: 1.Specific knowledge and skills related to ENGLISH fields of interest (i.e. job-related skills in editing and publishing, teaching, communications, etc). 2.Transferable skills gained from work, volunteer, and community service positions 3.(i.e. organizational skills, writing skills, public speaking skills, teamwork skills, etc.) 4.Traits, which reflect your personality, character, and ability to get along with others. (i.e. dependable, motivator, detail-oriented, responsible, etc.) 5.Leadership qualities (i.e. organizational skills, taking initiative, decision-making) B.Be prepared to give specific examples of your greatest strengths C.Minimize your weaknesses by presenting them in a positive way D.Pursue that extra credential, certificate, or field expertise

Create a Portfolio - A sample of your very best talents:  Resume  Mission Statement - Can include your skills, strengths, guiding principles, and future professional goals.  Professional letters of reference  Educational transcripts, coursework samples (special projects or research)  Any relevant certifications or credentials  Awards, honors, publications, and presentations (include brochure)  Certificates of attendance and participation in relevant workshops and seminars  Outstanding supervisory evaluations of your internship experience  Photos of special activities you conducted through your internship, jobs, etc.  Newspaper articles/photos of you as a leader, organizer, team player, or role model  Letters of invitation to share your expertise to train or consult others  Projects you initiated and implemented (i.e. creative layout and design for college yearbook, programs or materials developed during internship, etc.)

Getting Your Foot in the Door:  A. Prepare an Outstanding Resume - Most important primary tool of your job search  B. Include an Impressive Cover Letter - Tailor it to the specific job vacancy  C. Obtain 4-6 Excellent References - Attesting to your job related skills, character, & work ethic.  Professional Reference Letters - Internship supervisors, administrators at field related work/internship/volunteer sites, English department chair & faculty members.  Personal Reference Letters - Previous employers, community leaders, etc

Prepare for the Interview: A. Research Employers of interest - Impress the Interviewer Business Directories Internet Resources Direct Company Contact B. Use Network Contacts to Gather Insider Company Information C. Dress for Interview Success

Prepare Clear, Concise, and Relevant Responses to Interview Questions: Credential Questions 1. What was your GPA? Why is your GPA not higher? 2. What were the certification requirements for ___________? Experience Questions 1. What qualifications make you a good candidate for this position? 2. Tell me about yourself Opinion Questions 1. What are your greatest strengths? Weaknesses? 2. Why did you choose to attend UWEC? Behavioral Questions 1. Have you ever had a conflict with a boss or professor? How did you resolve it? 2. In your current job, give me an example of how you contribute as a team player

Prepare Clear, Concise, and Relevant Responses to Interview Questions: Ask Good Questions 1. Could you tell me more about this position and the type of candidate you're seeking? 2. I consider myself a team player, as it can be a more productive way to work, do staff members here plan or work on projects together? 3. What are the opportunities for growth and advancement for this position? 4. How is your company responding to the competition in the ________ area? 5. What do you consider to be the most important factors in being successful in this position?