The English Major at The English Major at Winthrop University Winthrop University

Why Major in English?Why Major in English? According to an April, 2013 AACU

National Survey of Business and Nonprofit Leaders: – 93% of employers say that “a

demonstrated capacity to think critically, communicate clearly, and solve complex problems is more important than [a candidate’s] undergraduate major.”

Why Major in English?Why Major in English? 95% say they prioritize hiring college graduates

with skills that will help them contribute to innovation in the workplace.

More than 75% say they want more emphasis on five key areas, including: critical thinking, complex problem solving, written and oral communication, and applied knowledge in real-world settings.

80% agree that, regardless of their major, every college student should acquire broad knowledge in the liberal arts and sciences.

Why Major in English?Why Major in English?

In a 2010 survey of 302 employers In a 2010 survey of 302 employers conducted by Hart Research Associates, conducted by Hart Research Associates, – 89% believed students need to 89% believed students need to

communicate effectively both orally and in communicate effectively both orally and in writing.writing.

– 81% cited critical thinking and analytical 81% cited critical thinking and analytical reasoning as key skills for success.reasoning as key skills for success.

– 75% listed the ability to analyze and solve 75% listed the ability to analyze and solve complex problems as necessary for complex problems as necessary for success.success.

– Peter D. Hart Research Associates, 2010Peter D. Hart Research Associates, 2010

Why Major in English?Why Major in English?

“The liberal arts always situate graduates on the road for success. More Fortune 500 CEOs have had liberal arts B.A.s than professional degrees. The same is true of doctors and lawyers.”

Richard A. Greenwald, “Liberal Arts II: The Economy Requires Them” Inside Higher Ed, 2010

What Makes an English Major What Makes an English Major so Valuable to Employers?so Valuable to Employers?

Competency and excellence in Competency and excellence in written and oral communication written and oral communication skills:skills:– Persuasive, eloquent, powerful, creative Persuasive, eloquent, powerful, creative

communication. communication. Ability to engage in “deep” analysis Ability to engage in “deep” analysis

of data and texts:of data and texts:– Analysis, synthesis, evaluation, Analysis, synthesis, evaluation,

assessment, argument.assessment, argument.

What Makes an English Major What Makes an English Major so Valuable to Employers?so Valuable to Employers?

Critical Thinking Skills:Critical Thinking Skills:– Ability to apply the elements and Ability to apply the elements and

standards of critical thinking to multiple standards of critical thinking to multiple contexts and problems.contexts and problems.

– Ability to ask questions, think creatively, Ability to ask questions, think creatively, and problem-solve.and problem-solve.

– Ability to generate ideas, solutions, and Ability to generate ideas, solutions, and arguments independently.arguments independently.

– Ability to collaborate and work in groups.Ability to collaborate and work in groups.

Opportunities in English at Winthrop

•Language and Literature Track•English Education Track (Secondary Education Certification)•Writing Track (Creative Emphasis or Professional Writing Emphasis)

Winthrop MA – Master’s Degree in English (30 or 36 hours)Winthrop MAT-5 – Fifth Year Master’s Degree in EducationWinthrop MBA-5 – Fifth Year Master’s Degree in Business

Our FacultyOur Faculty Committed to Teaching.Committed to Teaching. Widely-Published.Widely-Published. Experts in their Academic Fields.Experts in their Academic Fields. Approachable and Supportive.Approachable and Supportive. Focused on Mentoring Students and Focused on Mentoring Students and

Promoting Student Research.Promoting Student Research.

Winthrop Distinctives:Winthrop Distinctives: Small Class Sizes and Innovative Classes.Small Class Sizes and Innovative Classes. Close, Supportive Relationships with Close, Supportive Relationships with

Professors.Professors. Courses Taught by Professors and Instructors, Courses Taught by Professors and Instructors,

NotNot by Student Teaching Assistants. by Student Teaching Assistants. Extensive Support Networks (Mentoring, Extensive Support Networks (Mentoring,

Independent Research, Tutoring).Independent Research, Tutoring). Institutional Affiliation with the International Institutional Affiliation with the International

Foundation for Critical Thinking.Foundation for Critical Thinking. Annual Undergraduate and Graduate Research Annual Undergraduate and Graduate Research

Conference and Creative Writing Showcase.Conference and Creative Writing Showcase.

Tutoring in the Writing Center.Tutoring in the Writing Center. Literary Society Parties.Literary Society Parties. Annual Shakespeare Trip.Annual Shakespeare Trip. Study Abroad Opportunities.Study Abroad Opportunities. Cultural Events and Poetry Cultural Events and Poetry

Readings.Readings. Sigma Tau Delta.Sigma Tau Delta. NCTE Trips. NCTE Trips.

All the Fun Stuff!All the Fun Stuff!

Sigma Tau Delta English Honor Society Annual Picnic

Trick-or-Treating in Bancroft Hall

Trips, Trips, Trips! NCTE, ASC, Study Abroad Opportunities

English Major InternshipsEnglish Major Internships Atibi-BowaterAtibi-Bowater ComporiumComporium Cup ‘O JavaCup ‘O Java Lake Wylie Interior DesignLake Wylie Interior Design The Westminster TowersThe Westminster Towers Humane Society, York CountyHumane Society, York County Parker Funeral HomeParker Funeral Home KeystoneKeystone Vanlandingham Estate in Vanlandingham Estate in

CharlotteCharlotte Kilburnie: An Inn at Craig Kilburnie: An Inn at Craig

FarmFarm Companion Cabinets, Companion Cabinets,

CharlotteCharlotte Kanawha InsuranceKanawha Insurance

The HeraldThe Herald Creative LoafingCreative Loafing The Knights Baseball The Knights Baseball

FranchiseFranchise Redline Chemical Redline Chemical

CorporationCorporation York County CommissionYork County Commission Piedmont Medical CenterPiedmont Medical Center Safe PassageSafe Passage Children’s Attention HomeChildren’s Attention Home Pilgrim’s InnPilgrim’s Inn New HopeNew Hope The Messenger CenterThe Messenger Center Mighty Kids MediaMighty Kids Media Chester County 4-HChester County 4-H

Winthrop English Alumni Winthrop English Alumni CareersCareers

College and High School Faculty College and High School Faculty Members, ProfessorsMembers, Professors

Media SpecialistsMedia Specialists Principals, Administrators, Deans, VPs Principals, Administrators, Deans, VPs

and Associate VPsand Associate VPs Program Manager, Humanistic Program Manager, Humanistic

Studies and Journalism, Princeton UStudies and Journalism, Princeton U Attorneys, Asst. General CounselAttorneys, Asst. General Counsel Digital and Social Marketing DirectorDigital and Social Marketing Director IT Systems AnalystIT Systems Analyst Executive Director, Non-Profit Executive Director, Non-Profit

OrganizationOrganization Team Lead, Technical Publications Team Lead, Technical Publications

Department, Camstar SystemsDepartment, Camstar Systems Staff Writer for Staff Writer for Lawyers WeeklyLawyers Weekly HR Director, Duke EnergyHR Director, Duke Energy Archeology Excavation DirectorArcheology Excavation Director Town of Fort Mill Events and Media Town of Fort Mill Events and Media

CoordinatorCoordinator Pastors, Children’s Pastors, Pastors, Children’s Pastors,

MissionariesMissionaries Scholarship Coordinator (Non-Profit Scholarship Coordinator (Non-Profit

Org.)Org.)

Writer and Editor for Hallmark CardsWriter and Editor for Hallmark Cards Program and Instruction Manager for Program and Instruction Manager for

Ed Tech (Non-Profit Org.)Ed Tech (Non-Profit Org.) Production Scheduler, Sage Production Scheduler, Sage

Automotive InteriorsAutomotive Interiors National Advertising Sales Manager National Advertising Sales Manager

for Clear Channel Outdoorfor Clear Channel Outdoor Regional Territory Managers, Sales Regional Territory Managers, Sales Licensed Realtor, SalesLicensed Realtor, Sales President, Residential Real Estate President, Residential Real Estate

Appraisal BusinessAppraisal Business Owner, Social Media and Consulting Owner, Social Media and Consulting

BusinessBusiness Owner, Multiple Paint-Your-Own Owner, Multiple Paint-Your-Own

Pottery BusinessesPottery Businesses Marketing, Communications DirectorMarketing, Communications Director Supervisory Securities Analyst, RBCSupervisory Securities Analyst, RBC Director of Web Development & Director of Web Development &

DesignDesign Artist, Gallery DirectorArtist, Gallery Director Authors: Children’s Books, Poetry Authors: Children’s Books, Poetry

Collections, Technical Manuals, Collections, Technical Manuals, NovelsNovels

From New Arrivals . . .From New Arrivals . . .

To New Beginnings . . .To New Beginnings . . .

English Majors Rule!!!English Majors Rule!!!

We Look Forward to Your We Look Forward to Your Arrival!!Arrival!!