UW-Parkside English Department FAQ

What are the benefits of becoming an English major?

The English major will bestow wide-reaching knowledge on any student who is up to the challenge of exploring a vast array of genres. The English department will expose students to information, to techniques and to ideas that they could not learn in any other department. English majors will gain vast creative problem solving skills as well as develop analytical skills. These tools, once engrained, and combined with critical thinking skills, will serve the students well, providing opportunities for success in almost any profession.

What does Parkside's English department offer that other schools don't?

Department Chair Jay McRoy champions, "Parkside's diverse student body allows for exciting intellectual and creative dialogues. Consequently, class discussions are really fun. You can never anticipate how people will react to a given text, which makes the entire educational experience an unpredictable and, thus, highly pleasurable experience."

What is a DARS report?

A DARS report includes all of the classes that a student has taken during each semester of attendance, and it also shows which major and minor requirements have been met. The report is used by many students as a guide toward fulfilling all graduation requirements.

How should I go about selecting an advisor?

Each student is assigned an advisor once he or she declares a major. If, for any reason, he/she is not satisfied with the assigned advisor, the student can choose an alternate advisor, but the change is not official until after an Advisor Request Form has been completed. Those forms are available in the English department office.

What can I do with an English degree?

Many fields are looking for people who can communicate well and who can provide precisely written documents. An English degree provides access to these many opportunities in a highly competitive professional world. English majors go on to become technical writers, script writers, archivists, and congressional aides. To see more career possibilities, follow the careers link.

How do I request a letter of recommendation?

Give ample time; consider carefully, and exude plenty of respect. For more information, please explore the section Requesting a Letter of Recommendation from a Former Professor.