Weekly Round-Up

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ESA Reading Day Table

MFA Graduation Reading

 

Students graduating from the MFA Program in Creative Writing will read from their final projects this Saturday, April 30 from 1:00-3:30pm in Illini Union Room 314-B.

 
Fall Honors thesis registration FORMs due 4/29

For FALL 2022 theses, the deadline to return this form is Friday APRIL 29. If for any reason you cannot meet this deadline, notify Catharine Gray: cathgray@illinois.edu.

A message for our spring and summer graduates!

In case you missed the recent email . . . 

We ask that ALL spring and summer graduates, including those who are not participating in the ceremony, please complete this short Exit Survey about your experience in the English department at your earliest convenience (if you are registered for the ceremony please complete this survey BEFORE you pick up your tickets).  Everyone who completes the survey before May 12 will be entered into a random prize drawing, and five lucky winners will be chosen to receive a gift card!  

Only the aggregate results will be distributed to the department for assessment purposes; individual participants will not be identified.  Your feedback is greatly appreciated and will be used to improve our programs and services. 

TICKET DISTRIBUTION

You may pick up your tickets in Room 200 of the English Building between May 2 and May 12 (hours for pick-up are 8:30 to noon and 1 to 4).  Please budget at least 10 minutes for the pick-up because you will need to fill out your reader card at the same time (this card ensures that your name is read correctly as you cross the stage).

If you are out of town or cannot come into the office in person for some other reason, then your guests may pick up their tickets at the Will Call booth in Smith Hall when they arrive for the ceremony (doors open at 4pm).  In that case you will fill out your reader card when you check in for the ceremony at 4pm (first floor of the English Building) but we will be reaching out ahead of time to get clarification about pronunciation of your name (we give our readers an annotated guide ahead of time, just to maximize the chances that they’ll get the names right). 

a letter from your friendly neighborhood HPRC

Dear Humanities Majors,

Register here by May 9 if you would like to take part in one of the HPRC Summer Break 2022 externships during the last week in May.

Externships (also known as “job shadowing”) give you the opportunity to spend part of a day in a workplace, learning more about what the organization does, meeting people working in a variety of roles, and exploring how the skills you develop in your classes are relevant to the workplace.

Participating organizations:

Some frequently asked questions:

Why take part in an externship?

  • Because you’re not sure where to start. An externship is a low-stakes point-of-entry to the whole business of figuring out how your skills connect to the workplace. 
  • Because you know you need to start networking but don’t know what that means. An externship gives you the opportunity to talk to working professionals ranging from recent grads to experienced leaders and to start building professional relationships. 
  • Because you don’t know what you don’t know. The reality of many workplaces is very different from what many students assume. Some first-hand knowledge will help you imagine your future more productively and realistically.

Should I apply when there aren’t that many organizations and probably a lot of students wanting to do it? The answer to the question “Should I Apply?” is usually “YES!” We were able to place all the humanities majors who applied to our winter break externship program, though a couple did not get one of their top choices.

None of these opportunities connect to my major. How can one of them help me? Your major is a way of learning skills and developing intellectual capacities that are relevant to a wide array of fields — it’s not a ticket to a narrow choice of careers. If an opportunity sounds interesting, don’t let your major stop you from pursuing it.

Will an externship lead to an internship or job opportunity? Probably not — that’s not what it’s for. However, your externship experience will expand your knowledge of the paths that are available to you and it will help you identify directions to go in. It will also give you opportunities to talk to lots of working professionals and start building the relationships that can lead to opportunities.

None of these things appeal to me. Now what? Your major gives you an abundance of options. Come talk to us here in the HPRC about how to identify the future directions that DO speak to you! It’s what we’re here for. 

Email us at humanitiesprc@illinois.edu if you have questions!

LAST DAY OF CLASSES IS MAY 4!

Don’t forget to register for your fall courses! If you need help with that, schedule an appointment to discuss your plans with an advisor by calling 217-333-4346 during the hours 8:30-noon or 1:00-4:30. As always, you may request a particular advisor or ask for the first person available. For students who feel comfortable with the registration process and would prefer to do advising via email, you may contact an advisor with your questions, and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.

 

summer internships
Need a summer internship and don’t know where to look? Apply to the ATLAS Internship program for Summer and/or Fall 2022. Interviews start soon. Apply here.

 

2022 Q Magazine writing contest

The Janelle Joseph Environmental Writing Award gives students a chance to have their work published in Q Magazine, a publication of the Certificate for Environmental Writing (CEW) at Illinois. The top awards also carry a cash prize. The contest is open to all Illinois undergraduates of any major, geared toward those with an interest in environmental writing.

Winners will have their work published in an upcoming issue of Q. The top prize is $1,000, and $500 prizes will be available in five categories this year: feature, memoir, op-ed, Q&A, and “At Illinois” (see the below link and attached flyer for descriptions and examples of each category). Submissions accepted between July 1 and September 30, 2022.


The Life + Career Design Scholarship

Apply today for up to $5,000 to support an unpaid internship, research experience, or volunteer work this summer. You must be a full-time LAS student who is not getting course credit for the experience. Check out the website for eligibility and FAQs to apply!  Priority deadline: May 1.
 
summer 2022 courses

INFO/WRIT 303: Writing Across Media

This class carries Advanced Composition Gen Ed credit and will be taught online. It also counts as an elective for either the Informatics minor or the Game Studies & Design minor.

 

 

 

 

 

Art 499: Special Topics in Art–Intro to Manga Production
Online synchronous. In this course students will learn the basics of manga production which include the traditional Japanese plot structure, rendering of visual effects and sound effects used in manga, tools of the trade, a history of the form, and printing standards used in Japanese magazines. The course also covers basics of comic drawing such as composition, paneling, cartooning, and images as narrative tools. At the end of the course, students will be confident in their understanding of manga as a unique iteration of sequential art and will be equipped with the resources to continue improving on their own.

HPRC advising

Ready to connect with our humanities professional development experts?  Come by Greg Hall 105 any Thursday morning between 9:30 and 11:30 to meet with Julie Higgs and start a conversation about careers.  Anna hangs out there Thursday mornings as well so if you want some academic advising you can schedule an in-person appointment with her during that time.  It’s one-stop shopping!

 

And don’t forget . . .

do you have good news to share?

If you are a recently-published undergraduate or graduate student in the English department, DM @illinoisenglish on Instagram with the details so our social media team can create a kudos post to celebrate your accomplishment!

Creative writing cluB

Do you know about Creative Writing Club?  Open to students in all majors, this group meets weekly on Tuesdays from 6:30pm-7:45pm in room 259 of the English Building.  If you would like to be kept apprised of upcoming meetings and other activities, send a message to creativewritingclubatuiuc@gmail.com  and ask to be added to the mailing list.  You can also follow CWC on Facebook/Instagram, both @creativewritingclubuiuc.

ATLAS Social Media Intern Weekly Meetings

Come join social media interns from the ATLAS Internship Program to discuss things all social media! We meet every Friday at 4 pm on Zoom. Some potential topics include Canva, Airtable, data analytics, and even hearing from speakers!

Topic: Social Media & Digital Content  Weekly Meeting

https://illinois.zoom.us/j/81716506306?pwd=YmxnYkRJUFpEQ1BXaXBITitGRkphUT09

Meeting ID: 817 1650 6306
Password: 710945

text anxiety workshops

Could you benefit from a workshop that provides strategies for managing anxiety around taking tests? The Counseling Center hosts drop-in workshops throughout the semester with tips on:

  • Remaining calm during tests and exams
  • Getting the most from your study time
  • Preparing effectively for tests and exams

To find out more about individual workshops and to register, please visit counselingcenter.illinois.edu/TestAnxiety. There are simple, effective ways that can help you perform well on tests and not let anxiety get the best of you! These workshops are free for students. If you have any questions about this group, please contact Dr. Kathy Wierzchowski at wierzch1@illinois.edu.

Weekly Round-Up

Follow us on social media!
       

LAST DAY OF CLASSES IS MAY 4!

Don’t forget to register for your fall courses! If you need help with that, schedule an appointment to discuss your plans with an advisor by calling 217-333-4346 during the hours 8:30-noon or 1:00-4:30. As always, you may request a particular advisor or ask for the first person available. For students who feel comfortable with the registration process and would prefer to do advising via email, you may contact an advisor with your questions, and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.

Graduating This May?!
If you’re graduating this May or August and missed the deadline to register for convocation, we need to know ASAP if you’re planning to participate. Please email englishadvising@illinois.edu to let us know!  Plus, don’t forget to order your cap and gown.  The deadline for early pricing has passed but you can still place an order online: see commencement.illinois.edu for details.
Fall Honors thesis registration are due 4/29

For FALL 2022 theses, the deadline to return this form is Friday APRIL 29. If for any reason you cannot meet this deadline, notify Catharine Gray: cathgray@illinois.edu.

Undergraduate Research Positions

The Writing Across Engineering and Science (WAES) research group is looking for undergraduate research assistants (https://publish.illinois.edu/waes/). We are looking for reliable, curious students interested in learning about writing in STEM settings and qualitative research, particularly survey and interview methods. Students of any major related to science, engineering, writing, or communication are encouraged to apply to join our interdisciplinary team. Initial responsibilities will include activities such as transcribing interview data, analyzing course materials, organizing data, and participating in project team meetings.

Required qualifications:
–Interest in writing instruction in STEM settings
–Available during both summer (minimum 20 hours per week for 10-12 weeks) and fall 2022 (minimum of 8 hours per week)

Preferred qualifications:
–Coursework related to writing and communication in STEM
–Prior qualitative research experience, particularly with transcription

Compensation: $12/hour

To apply, please send a 2-4 sentence statement of why you are interested and a current resume to Dr. Julie Zilles (jzilles@illinois.edu). Please include ‘WAES undergrad application’ in the subject line. Review of applications will begin on April 25, 2022.

2022 Undergraduate Research Week

The 2022 Undergraduate Research Week and its signature event, the Undergraduate Research Symposium are almost upon us! Please mark your calendars and join us in celebrating student innovation and excellence in research at Illinois.

2022 Undergraduate Research Week (URW)
Dates: April 24 – 30*
*includes events in the preceding week

2022 Undergraduate Research Symposium (URS)
Date & Time: April 28, 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Location: Illini Union Rooms ABC, South Lounge & 2nd Floor

This year’s URW will be a combination of virtual and in-person events hosted by individual departments, units, and programs. URS will be in person at the Illini Union and students will be presenting their research posters and oral/performance presentations throughout the day.

You can find the full program at: https://go.illinois.edu/URWProgram

interested in secondary education teaching?

The Naperville Community Unit School District #203 is taking over the HPRC on Monday, April 25, from 9:30am to 4:30pm. A team of four Illinois alumni currently working there (including the Chief Human Resources Officer) will be here in 105 Greg Hall to talk to students thinking about careers in education. Please drop by if you

  • have been thinking about a career in education and would like to learn more about whether it’s right for you,
  • are about to graduate with a secondary ed minor and want to apply for jobs (fill out the online application ahead of time and bring your resume!),
  • are curious what people who work for a school district do besides teach,
  • went to school in Naperville and want to meet some of the people who make education happen in your hometown,
  • want to learn about non-teaching jobs in education,
  • want to practice networking with some Illinois alumni,
  • want to assure your parents that you’re thinking about your future, or
  • have questions about any of the current job openings (whether or not you start the application process online).

Prefer to read than talk to people? More info is here (but by all means come  on Monday if you have questions!)

NOT interested in a career in education? You have a lot of options! Come to the HPRC drop-in hours (Tuesday afternoons, Wednesday lunchtimes, Thursday mornings), make an appointment, or email us to start exploring other paths.

Writers Workshop End-of-Semester Events

 

 

Internship Opportunity for English Department Students

This position will assist high school students in the U of I Facilities & Services’ Pre-Apprentice program with improving reading comprehension and writing skills in preparation for crafts/trades apprenticeship exams.  The intern will work with craft/trades supervisory staff to determine the students’ current reading and writing abilities, develop a plan for each student, and work with students to improve their skills.  If you have any questions, I can be reached at eas@illinois.edu.  Thank you for your consideration.

QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Graduate (preferred) or undergraduate student working toward a degree in English, reading comprehension, composition, or related area
  • Ability to assess students’ ability to perform algebra, trigonometry, plot graphs, calculate fractions, etc.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills
  • Ability to work independently and proactively

summer internshipsNeed a summer internship and don’t know where to look? Apply to the ATLAS Internship program for Summer and/or Fall 2022. Interviews start soon. Apply here.

2022 Q Magazine writing contest

The Janelle Joseph Environmental Writing Award gives students a chance to have their work published in Q Magazine, a publication of the Certificate for Environmental Writing (CEW) at Illinois. The top awards also carry a cash prize. The contest is open to all Illinois undergraduates of any major, geared toward those with an interest in environmental writing.

Winners will have their work published in an upcoming issue of Q. The top prize is $1,000, and $500 prizes will be available in five categories this year: feature, memoir, op-ed, Q&A, and “At Illinois” (see the below link and attached flyer for descriptions and examples of each category).

The final deadline to submit an article is Sept. 30, 2021.

 

Make your voice heard!

The Smart and Healthy Communities Initiative is seeking current UIUC students for focused feedback sessions around potential new Illinois App features. Participants will receive a $10 Amazon gift card.Sessions will be one hour in length and conducted over Zoom. If you are interested in participating, simply fill out this brief (~5 minute) sign-up form, and the research team will reach out to you directly to schedule a session.

Student Feedback Sign-Up Form

The Life + Career Design Scholarship
Apply today for up to $5,000 to support an unpaid internship, research experience, or volunteer work this summer. You must be a full-time LAS student who is not getting course credit for the experience. Check out the website for eligibility and FAQs to apply!  Priority deadline: May 1.
summer 2022 courses

INFO/WRIT 303: Writing Across Media

This class carries Advanced Composition Gen Ed credit and will be taught online. It also counts as an elective for either the Informatics minor or the Game Studies & Design minor.

 

 

 

 

 

Art 499: Special Topics in Art–Intro to Manga Production
Online synchronous. In this course students will learn the basics of manga production which include the traditional Japanese plot structure, rendering of visual effects and sound effects used in manga, tools of the trade, a history of the form, and printing standards used in Japanese magazines. The course also covers basics of comic drawing such as composition, paneling, cartooning, and images as narrative tools. At the end of the course, students will be confident in their understanding of manga as a unique iteration of sequential art and will be equipped with the resources to continue improving on their own.

 

HPRC advising

Ready to connect with our humanities professional development experts?  Come by Greg Hall 105 any Thursday morning between 9:30 and 11:30 to meet with Julie Higgs and start a conversation about careers.  Anna hangs out there Thursday mornings as well so if you want some academic advising you can schedule an in-person appointment with her during that time.  It’s one-stop shopping!

 

FULBRIGHT INFORMATION SESSIONS

april events at the writers workshop

The Writers Workshop provides feedback on all kinds of writing including essays, job application materials, and personal statements.  Appointments and drop-in hours are available in person at the Undergraduate Library and online.  Upcoming April events can be found here. 

And don’t forget . . .

do you have good news to share?

If you are a recently-published undergraduate or graduate student in the English department, DM @illinoisenglish on Instagram with the details so our social media team can create a kudos post to celebrate your accomplishment!

Creative writing cluB

Do you know about Creative Writing Club?  Open to students in all majors, this group meets weekly on Tuesdays from 6:30pm-7:45pm in room 259 of the English Building.  If you would like to be kept apprised of upcoming meetings and other activities, send a message to creativewritingclubatuiuc@gmail.com  and ask to be added to the mailing list.  You can also follow CWC on Facebook/Instagram, both @creativewritingclubuiuc.

ATLAS Social Media Intern Weekly Meetings

Come join social media interns from the ATLAS Internship Program to discuss things all social media! We meet every Friday at 4 pm on Zoom. Some potential topics include Canva, Airtable, data analytics, and even hearing from speakers!

Topic: Social Media & Digital Content  Weekly Meeting

https://illinois.zoom.us/j/81716506306?pwd=YmxnYkRJUFpEQ1BXaXBITitGRkphUT09

Meeting ID: 817 1650 6306
Password: 710945

text anxiety workshops

Could you benefit from a workshop that provides strategies for managing anxiety around taking tests? The Counseling Center hosts drop-in workshops throughout the semester with tips on:

  • Remaining calm during tests and exams
  • Getting the most from your study time
  • Preparing effectively for tests and exams

To find out more about individual workshops and to register, please visit counselingcenter.illinois.edu/TestAnxiety. There are simple, effective ways that can help you perform well on tests and not let anxiety get the best of you! These workshops are free for students. If you have any questions about this group, please contact Dr. Kathy Wierzchowski at wierzch1@illinois.edu.

LAS Success Academic Workshops

Check out the Spring LAS Success Academic Workshop Schedule here:

  • All workshops are open to all students
  • All are offered in-person in Lincoln Hall
  • Our website lists events by month so you can’t access anything past February yet, but those events will become visible as the earlier events pass
Workshops – Tuesday @ 7 Starts

The Career Center – Spring 2022 Workshop Calendar

 








Weekly Round-Up

Follow us on social media!
       

Today, April 15, is the last day to drop a 2nd 8-week (aka POTB) class!

do you have good news to share?

If you are a recently-published undergraduate or graduate student in the English department, DM @illinoisenglish on Instagram with the details so our social media team can create a kudos post to celebrate your accomplishment!

Poetry Reading and Discussion

Come hear a poetry reading by Richie Hofmann co-sponsored by the Friends of the University Library and the Robert J. Carr Visiting Author Series.

Tuesday, April 19, 6:00 pm
Architecture Building, Temple Buell Architecture Gallery
608 E. Loredo Taft Drive

spring contest winners read their work!

Join us for the Creative Writing Awards Ceremony and Reading recognizing all of our Spring Contest winners and featuring short readings by those who received the top prize in each category.

Thursday, April 21, 4:30 pm 6:00
Illini Union Room 314B

summer session 2 course

Check out this summer course, open to students in all majors:

Art 499: Special Topics in Art–Intro to Manga Production
Online synchronous. In this course students will learn the basics of manga production which include the traditional Japanese plot structure, rendering of visual effects and sound effects used in manga, tools of the trade, a history of the form, and printing standards used in Japanese magazines. The course also covers basics of comic drawing such as composition, paneling, cartooning, and images as narrative tools. At the end of the course, students will be confident in their understanding of manga as a unique iteration of sequential art and will be equipped with the resources to continue improving on their own.


summer internships
Need a summer internship and don’t know where to look? Apply to the ATLAS Internship program for Summer and/or Fall 2022. Interviews start soon. Apply here.

Undergraduate Research Positions

The Writing Across Engineering and Science (WAES) research group is looking for undergraduate research assistants (https://publish.illinois.edu/waes/). We are looking for reliable, curious students interested in learning about writing in STEM settings and qualitative research, particularly survey and interview methods. Students of any major related to science, engineering, writing, or communication are encouraged to apply to join our interdisciplinary team. Initial responsibilities will include activities such as transcribing interview data, analyzing course materials, organizing data, and participating in project team meetings.

Required qualifications:
–Interest in writing instruction in STEM settings
–Available during both summer (minimum 20 hours per week for 10-12 weeks) and fall 2022 (minimum of 8 hours per week)

Preferred qualifications:
–Coursework related to writing and communication in STEM
–Prior qualitative research experience, particularly with transcription

Compensation: $12/hour

To apply, please send a 2-4 sentence statement of why you are interested and a current resume to Dr. Julie Zilles (jzilles@illinois.edu). Please include ‘WAES undergrad application’ in the subject line. Review of applications will begin on April 25, 2022.

 
ATLAS Social Media Intern Weekly Meetings

Come join social media interns from the ATLAS Internship Program to discuss things all social media! We meet every Friday at 4 pm on Zoom. Some potential topics include Canva, Airtable, data analytics, and even hearing from speakers!

Topic: Social Media & Digital Content  Weekly Meeting

https://illinois.zoom.us/j/81716506306?pwd=YmxnYkRJUFpEQ1BXaXBITitGRkphUT09

Meeting ID: 817 1650 6306
Password: 710945

Graduating This May?!
If you’re graduating this May or August and missed the deadline to register for convocation, we need to know ASAP if you’re planning to participate. Please email englishadvising@illinois.edu to let us know!  Plus, don’t forget to order your cap and gown.  The deadline for early pricing has passed but you can still place an order online: see commencement.illinois.edu for details. 
 
in case you missed the registration email
Time tickets (which tell you when you can register for Summer and/or Fall 2022 classes) should be visible to you now in Self-ServiceRegistration started April 4.  If you would like to schedule an appointment to discuss your plans with an advisor call 217-333-4346 during the hours 8:30-noon or 1:00-4:30. As always, you may request a particular advisor or ask for the first person available. For students who feel comfortable with the registration process and would prefer to do advising via email, you may contact an advisor with your questions and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can. Remember that we are very busy during the registration period so please don’t wait until your time ticket opens up and then send an email demanding an immediate reply. Plan ahead!

Here are some things you can do ahead of time to make your registration appointment more productive:

  • Run your degree audit and see what you can make of it. Even if you find it a little confusing, try to get a sense of what requirements you have left to fulfill, and then when we do your registration appointment we can confirm (or correct) your interpretation of the audit and help explain anything that’s confusing.
  • Think about what you want to accomplish in the fall. What major/minor/Gen Ed requirements would you like to complete, and what other areas would you like to explore?
  • If you are thinking of adding a major or a minor, do you know what you need to do to get started? If you’ve already begun, can you figure out the next step?  You can explore major and minor requirements listed here: http://catalog.illinois.edu/undergraduate/
  • Consult Course Explorer and be sure to read the course descriptions in full.  Remember that if a course is called “Topics in X” then you must click through to see the individual sections and find out what topics are available. It’s also worth clicking through on any 199 (usually called Undergraduate Open Seminar) because there you may find some interesting and unusual topics being piloted, and they’re usually unrestricted.
  • Consult the resources available on the Planning Coursework section of the advising site.  You’ll find checklists of major requirements, plus the “cheat sheet” that tells you which variable topics courses satisfy which requirements this fall.
paid internship opportunity–apply now!


For the 22-23 academic year, the Department of English is looking to hire a Social Media Management Intern from any major in the English Department (must have at least sophomore standing for AY22-23). This is a great opportunity for students to apply their love of writing and literature while gaining valuable media-writing experience.

Position Responsibilities:
• Develop creative thematic post series for Facebook and Instagram
• Promote, attend, and create social media posts about department events when safety allows
• Design flyers, memes, and other posts for informing and entertaining students
• Develop creative semester-long multimodal projects
• Attend weekly meetings for brainstorming, task assignments, and collaboration
• Edit videos and design flyers or posts
• Collaborate with Advising Office in creating content
• Conduct and publish interviews with faculty, alumni, students, and visiting speakers

Average hours worked per week: 5 (about 75 hours over a semester)
Position Wage: $11/hour.
Position Starts: August 22

Recommended Skills and Experience:
• Concise and catchy writing
• Writing for social media
• Develop and follow-through on creative ideas
• Tailor message and style to genre and audience
• Visual design
• Work independently
• Interpersonal communication
• Collaboration
• Reliability
• Word, Publisher, Adobe, photo & video editing
• Photography, video, and editing skills a plus

To Apply: Submit a resume and cover letter. Application materials can be addressed to Kay Emmert, Interim Co-Director for the Program in Professional Writing, and sent as email attachments to akemmert@illinois.edu by no later than 9 am on Friday, April 22.

Make your voice heard!

The Smart and Healthy Communities Initiative is seeking current UIUC students for focused feedback sessions around potential new Illinois App features. Participants will receive a $10 Amazon gift card.Sessions will be one hour in length and conducted over Zoom. If you are interested in participating, simply fill out this brief (~5 minute) sign-up form, and the research team will reach out to you directly to schedule a session.

Student Feedback Sign-Up Form

The Life + Career Design Scholarship
Apply today for up to $5,000 to support an unpaid internship, research experience, or volunteer work this summer. You must be a full-time LAS student who is not getting course credit for the experience. Check out the website for eligibility and FAQs to apply!  Priority deadline: May 1.
 
learn about careers in human resources

ExpLERing HR: A Career Exploration & Networking Event
Wednesday, April 20th
6:00 to 8:00 pm
School of Labor & Employment Relations Building
504 East Armory Avenue
**Dinner provided**

Join current LER students to learn what life is like as a Master of Human Resources and Industrial Relations degree student. This informal event will have you meeting in small groups to hear about current student experiences and get answers to your questions from a student’s perspective.

Pre-registration is required via Handshake or email bneig2@illinois.edu.

HPRC advising

Ready to connect with our humanities professional development experts?  Come by Greg Hall 105 any Thursday morning between 9:30 and 11:30 to meet with Julie Higgs and start a conversation about careers.  Anna hangs out there Thursday mornings as well so if you want some academic advising you can schedule an in-person appointment with her during that time.  It’s one-stop shopping!

 

FULBRIGHT INFORMATION SESSIONS

april events at the writers workshop

The Writers Workshop provides feedback on all kinds of writing including essays, job application materials, and personal statements.  Appointments and drop-in hours are available in person at the Undergraduate Library and online.  Upcoming April events can be found here. 

And don’t forget . . .

Creative writing cluB

Do you know about Creative Writing Club?  Open to students in all majors, this group meets weekly on Tuesdays from 6:30pm-7:45pm in room 259 of the English Building.  If you would like to be kept apprised of upcoming meetings and other activities, send a message to creativewritingclubatuiuc@gmail.com  and ask to be added to the mailing list.  You can also follow CWC on Facebook/Instagram, both @creativewritingclubuiuc.

text anxiety workshops

Could you benefit from a workshop that provides strategies for managing anxiety around taking tests? The Counseling Center hosts drop-in workshops throughout the semester with tips on:

  • Remaining calm during tests and exams
  • Getting the most from your study time
  • Preparing effectively for tests and exams

To find out more about individual workshops and to register, please visit counselingcenter.illinois.edu/TestAnxiety. There are simple, effective ways that can help you perform well on tests and not let anxiety get the best of you! These workshops are free for students. If you have any questions about this group, please contact Dr. Kathy Wierzchowski at wierzch1@illinois.edu.

LAS Success Academic Workshops

Check out the Spring LAS Success Academic Workshop Schedule here:

  • All workshops are open to all students
  • All are offered in-person in Lincoln Hall
  • Our website lists events by month so you can’t access anything past February yet, but those events will become visible as the earlier events pass
Workshops – Tuesday @ 7 Starts

The Career Center – Spring 2022 Workshop Calendar

selected Dates and deadlines
  • April 15 (TODAY): Deadline to drop a POTB course (aka 2nd 8-week course)
  • May 4: Last day of classes

Weekly Round-Up

Follow us on social media!
       

do you have good news to share?

If you are a recently-published undergraduate or graduate student in the English department, DM @illinoisenglish on Instagram with the details so our social media team can create a kudos post to celebrate your accomplishment!

Democracy and the Novel Conference 4/8-9

TODAY Friday, April 8 and Saturday, April 9, starting at 9:15AM in Illini Union Room 209. Check out the Democracy and the American Novel Conference. It focuses on topics like race, borders, statehood, and more, in relation to the US novel.  Admission is free and open to the public, with in-person and Zoom options available. Refreshments will be served.

The list of speakers includes Lisa Siraganian, Paul J. Edwards, Chiyuma Elliott, Habiba Ibrahim, Justin L. Mann, Aida Levy-Hussen, Mary Esteve, Sean McCann, Melani McAlister, Caren Irr, and Sophia Azeb. More information, both about the speakers and their talks, as well as a schedule, can be found in the attached materials and at the following link: https://trowbridge.initiative.illinois.edu/2022/03/21/democracy-and-the-american-novel/.

To tune in via Zoom, for both days of the symposium, please register at the following link: https://illinois.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZElde2rqjsiHNe6bQXS-MgC0KgvgKn2H342.

Kaplan Family Writer-in-Residence Series

The Creative Writing Program and the Department of English welcome award-winning fiction writer Dan Chaon, who comes to campus as the inaugural author in our new Kaplan Family Writer-in-Residence Series. Dan is the author of seven books of fiction, including the bestselling novel Ill Will, the story collection Among the Missing, and the forthcoming Sleepwalk.  Join us for one or both of the following events:

Craft Talk: “Hallucination: Description, Detail and the Uncanny”
April 13, 4:30-6:00pm in EB 259

Public Reading
April 14, 4:30-6:00pm in Illini Union 314B

VOICE reading

This Month’s VOICE reading, a regular event at which creative writing MFAs (and occasional special guests) read their poetry and fiction, will feature Claire Christoff, Maddy Furlong, and John Dudek.

April 14, 7:00-8:30pm
The Literary Bookstore (122 N Neil Street, Champaign)

ATLAS Social Media Intern Weekly Meetings

Come join social media interns from the ATLAS Internship Program to discuss things all social media! We meet every Friday at 4 pm on Zoom. Some potential topics include Canva, Airtable, data analytics, and even hearing from speakers!

Topic: Social Media & Digital Content  Weekly Meeting

https://illinois.zoom.us/j/81716506306?pwd=YmxnYkRJUFpEQ1BXaXBITitGRkphUT09

Meeting ID: 817 1650 6306
Password: 710945

Graduating This May?!
If you’re graduating this May or August and missed the deadline to register for convocation, we need to know ASAP if you’re planning to participate. Please email englishadvising@illinois.edu to let us know!  Plus, don’t forget to order your cap and gown by April 12 for the best price!
in case you missed the registration email
Time tickets (which tell you when you can register for Summer and/or Fall 2022 classes) should be visible to you now in Self-ServiceRegistration started April 4.  If you would like to schedule an appointment to discuss your plans with an advisor call 217-333-4346 during the hours 8:30-noon or 1:00-4:30. As always, you may request a particular advisor or ask for the first person available. For students who feel comfortable with the registration process and would prefer to do advising via email, you may contact an advisor with your questions and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can. Remember that we are very busy during the registration period so please don’t wait until your time ticket opens up and then send an email demanding an immediate reply. Plan ahead!

Here are some things you can do ahead of time to make your registration appointment more productive:

  • Run your degree audit and see what you can make of it. Even if you find it a little confusing, try to get a sense of what requirements you have left to fulfill, and then when we do your registration appointment we can confirm (or correct) your interpretation of the audit and help explain anything that’s confusing.
  • Think about what you want to accomplish in the fall. What major/minor/Gen Ed requirements would you like to complete, and what other areas would you like to explore?
  • If you are thinking of adding a major or a minor, do you know what you need to do to get started? If you’ve already begun, can you figure out the next step?  You can explore major and minor requirements listed here: http://catalog.illinois.edu/undergraduate/
  • Consult Course Explorer and be sure to read the course descriptions in full.  Remember that if a course is called “Topics in X” then you must click through to see the individual sections and find out what topics are available. It’s also worth clicking through on any 199 (usually called Undergraduate Open Seminar) because there you may find some interesting and unusual topics being piloted, and they’re usually unrestricted.
  • Consult the resources available on the Planning Coursework section of the advising site.  You’ll find checklists of major requirements, plus the “cheat sheet” that tells you which variable topics courses satisfy which requirements this fall.
paid internship opportunity–apply now!


For the 22-23 academic year, the Department of English is looking to hire a Social Media Management Intern from any major in the English Department (must have at least sophomore standing for AY22-23). This is a great opportunity for students to apply their love of writing and literature while gaining valuable media-writing experience.

Position Responsibilities:
• Develop creative thematic post series for Facebook and Instagram
• Promote, attend, and create social media posts about department events when safety allows
• Design flyers, memes, and other posts for informing and entertaining students
• Develop creative semester-long multimodal projects
• Attend weekly meetings for brainstorming, task assignments, and collaboration
• Edit videos and design flyers or posts
• Collaborate with Advising Office in creating content
• Conduct and publish interviews with faculty, alumni, students, and visiting speakers

Average hours worked per week: 5 (about 75 hours over a semester)
Position Wage: $11/hour.
Position Starts: August 22

Recommended Skills and Experience:
• Concise and catchy writing
• Writing for social media
• Develop and follow-through on creative ideas
• Tailor message and style to genre and audience
• Visual design
• Work independently
• Interpersonal communication
• Collaboration
• Reliability
• Word, Publisher, Adobe, photo & video editing
• Photography, video, and editing skills a plus

To Apply: Submit a resume and cover letter. Application materials can be addressed to Kay Emmert, Interim Co-Director for the Program in Professional Writing, and sent as email attachments to akemmert@illinois.edu by no later than 9 am on Friday, April 22.

 

mark your calendars!
The 6th Annual Grantathon is coming up in a few weeks! Grant-writing is a crucial skill for many career paths: nonprofit work, research, performing arts, healthcare, education. At this day-long workshop, you will get instruction in identifying grant opportunities and crafting successful grant applications, along with hands-on practice using those skills with local agencies that are currently applying for grants. Lunch and supplies are included in this free event.

Friday, April 15, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
School of Social Work, Room 2027
Register here.

make your voice heard!

The Smart and Healthy Communities Initiative is seeking current UIUC students for focused feedback sessions around potential new Illinois App features. Participants will receive a $10 Amazon gift card.Sessions will be one hour in length and conducted over Zoom. If you are interested in participating, simply fill out this brief (~5 minute) sign-up form, and the research team will reach out to you directly to schedule a session.

Student Feedback Sign-Up Form

The Life + Career Design Scholarship
Apply today for up to $5,000 to support an unpaid internship, research experience, or volunteer work this summer. You must be a full-time LAS student who is not getting course credit for the experience. Check out the website for eligibility and FAQs to apply!  Priority deadline: May 1.
learn about careers in human resources

ExpLERing HR: A Career Exploration & Networking Event
Wednesday, April 20th
6:00 to 8:00 pm
School of Labor & Employment Relations Building
504 East Armory Avenue
**Dinner provided**

Join current LER students to learn what life is like as a Master of Human Resources and Industrial Relations degree student. This informal event will have you meeting in small groups to hear about current student experiences and get answers to your questions from a student’s perspective.

Pre-registration is required via Handshake or email bneig2@illinois.edu.

HPRC advising

Ready to connect with our humanities professional development experts?  Come by Greg Hall 105 any Thursday morning between 9:30 and 11:30 to meet with Julie Higgs and start a conversation about careers.  Anna hangs out there Thursday mornings as well so if you want some academic advising you can schedule an in-person appointment with her during that time.  It’s one-stop shopping!

 

FULBRIGHT INFORMATION SESSIONS

april events at the writers workshop

The Writers Workshop provides feedback on all kinds of writing including essays, job application materials, and personal statements.  Appointments and drop-in hours are available in person at the Undergraduate Library and online.  Upcoming April events can be found here. 

And don’t forget . . .

Creative writing cluB

Do you know about Creative Writing Club?  Open to students in all majors, this group meets weekly on Tuesdays from 6:30pm-7:45pm in room 259 of the English Building.  If you would like to be kept apprised of upcoming meetings and other activities, send a message to creativewritingclubatuiuc@gmail.com  and ask to be added to the mailing list.  You can also follow CWC on Facebook/Instagram, both @creativewritingclubuiuc.

text anxiety workshops

Could you benefit from a workshop that provides strategies for managing anxiety around taking tests? The Counseling Center hosts drop-in workshops throughout the semester with tips on:

  • Remaining calm during tests and exams
  • Getting the most from your study time
  • Preparing effectively for tests and exams

To find out more about individual workshops and to register, please visit counselingcenter.illinois.edu/TestAnxiety. There are simple, effective ways that can help you perform well on tests and not let anxiety get the best of you! These workshops are free for students. If you have any questions about this group, please contact Dr. Kathy Wierzchowski at wierzch1@illinois.edu.

LAS Success Academic Workshops

Check out the Spring LAS Success Academic Workshop Schedule here:

  • All workshops are open to all students
  • All are offered in-person in Lincoln Hall
  • Our website lists events by month so you can’t access anything past February yet, but those events will become visible as the earlier events pass
Workshops – Tuesday @ 7 Starts

The Career Center – Spring 2022 Workshop Calendar

selected Dates and deadlines
  • April 4: Priority registration for Summer and Fall 2022 begins