Author: maweime2@illinois.edu

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Weekly Round-Up

Follow the department on social media

Important Dates

Deadline to drop a full-semester course: Friday, March 13
Spring Break: March 14-22
POT B courses begin: Monday, March 23
Deadline to add a POT B course: Friday, March 27
Registration time tickets viewable on Self-Service: Monday, March 30
Registration begins: Monday, April 6

Resource of the Week: Free & Discounted Software at the WebStore

The university’s WebStore offers free and open software for students such as Adobe, Microsoft 365, LinkedIn Learning, IBM, MathWorks, and more. Browse them here: https://webstore.illinois.edu/shop/category.aspx?zcid=129&shopby=1

You can also find other campus software, often at a discounted price: https://webstore.illinois.edu/shop/category.aspx?zcid=139&shopby=1

ESA Monthly Newsletter

Business Microcredentials

Undergraduate microcredentials help you strengthen specific business skills so you can stand out in internships, job applications, and leadership opportunities. They’re shorter than a minor, focused on practical outcomes, and awarded as a digital badge you can easily share with employers. Unlike a minor, a microcredential:

  • Requires only 2-3 courses
  • Can be completed in a shorter time frame (often as little as one academic year)
  • Does not appear on your transcript
  • Is awarded as a digital badge and certificate you can share instantly with employers, internship sites, and on your résumé or LinkedIn profile
  • Is a focused, career-aligned set of courses that build specific business skills

You can find more information about Business Microcredentials here: https://giesbusiness.illinois.edu/academics/majors-and-minors/undergraduate-microcredentials

The Jeffries Center Spring 2026 Workshop Series

Student Success Series: Food Budgeting and AI

When: March 24th from 12:00-1:00pm
Keeping meals both affordable and enjoyable can be tricky, but we don’t need to take on these responsibilities alone! This workshop is designed to cover the basics of how to incorporate AI into food budgeting practices, including meal planning, grocery lists, and more. It covers several tools designed specifically for the purpose of food budgeting and meal planning, as well as discussing how to design clear, specific prompts for general AI chatbots like ChatGPT to assist with these tasks.  

Looking for a Second 8-Week (POT B) Course? Check These Out!

Why Scientists and Scholars Should Communicate Through the Media, Despite the Risks

Who: Laura Helmuth (Slate, Scientific American, Washington Post)
When: Tuesday, March 24th at 5:30pm
Where: Knight Auditorium, Spurlock Museum

Universities, public health organizations, federal science agencies, and publishers have become targets of political forces that are threatened by the pursuit and dissemination of knowledge. New restrictions on funding, collaborations, and inclusion are disrupting crucial research and limiting who is allowed to pursue it. The power imbalance is severe right now, and individuals and institutions are at risk of losing grants, students, jobs, and opportunities. Helmuth will argue for a way out through building support for academic freedom, long-term research, honest assessments of history, and life-saving public health policies. Experts who share their knowledge with journalists or communicate directly through mass media face risks but can make a difference. We’ll cover best practices, practical advice, and possible outcomes of doing so, and how people in different fields of expertise can support one another’s overlapping missions.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER:

Laura Helmuth is a journalist, freelance editor, writer, and consultant who formerly served as editor in chief of Scientific American, where you can still read her many features. She previously worked as an editor for the Washington Post, National Geographic, Slate, Smithsonian and Science. A former president of the National Association of Science Writers, Helmuth is currently a member of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine’s standing committee on advancing science communication and an advisory board member for SciLine and The Transmitter. She has a Ph.D. in cognitive neuroscience from the University of California, Berkeley, and recently won a Friend of Darwin Award from the National Center for Science Education. Her current writing can also be found at Slate and The Last Word on Nothing.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Fulbright For Artists

When: Wednesday, March 25th from 3-5pm
Where: Krannert Art Museum, Room 62 (500 E Peabody Drive)
Register: https://forms.illinois.edu/sec/689459119

The National & International Scholarships Program and the Graduate College Office of External Fellowships will kick off the Fulbright application season with a workshop focused on Fulbright opportunities in: 

  • Architecture (building and landscape) 
  • Creative Writing (fiction, non-fiction, playwriting, poetry, and screenwriting) 
  • Music (composition, performance, and world music) 
  • Performing Arts (dance, performance art, and theater arts) 
  • Visual Arts (animation, photography, illustration, filmmaking, etc.)

The session will feature Melissa Terrall, pianist and former Fulbrighter, who studied Mexican piano repertoire at Mexico City’s National Conservatory; Dani Nutting, flutist and former Fulbrighter to Bulgaria and Assistant Director of the National and International Scholarships Program, who advises undergraduate and alumni applicants; and Dana N. Johnson, former Fulbrighter to Serbia and Director of External Fellowships in the Graduate College, who advises graduate student applicants.

Advanced undergraduates, graduate students (including MFA candidates), alumni, and other interested members of the campus community are invited to attend. Presenters will share insights into pursuing a Fulbright as an artist and preparing a strong application. Topics include identifying a strong affiliation, meeting language expectations, assembling a compelling portfolio, and crafting persuasive narrative statements. 

Participants will also learn about the campus application process and how to make effective use of advising services offered by the National & International Scholarships Program and the Graduate College Office of External Fellowships.

Questions about the event may be directed to: topscholars@illinois.edu. 

Scholarships Information Sessions

Applications Open for the 2026 Class of Carnegie Young Leaders

As a partner in the College Presidents for Civic Preparedness network, you are at the forefront of a critical mission: ensuring that today’s students graduate with the skills and agency to be effective participants in our democracy.

Our recent Gen Z Vibe Check study highlights both a significant challenge and a massive opportunity in our shared work to build the civic muscle of students across the U.S. 90%of young people say they care about making a change in their communities, however 37% say they don’t know how to get started. The opportunity? Nearly 55%are motivated by opportunities they can participate in with friends. 

We have officially opened applications for the 2026 Class of Carnegie Young Leaders. This program uses a collaborative leadership model in which a team lead brings together four of their peers, forming a team that will design and implement a project that addresses a need in their communities over the course of the year-long fellowship.

The Carnegie Young Leaders experience:

  • Project Funding: Up to $7,500 to cover stipends and project expenses
  • Expert Mentorship: Coaching to help students take their ideas from concept to reality
  • National Community: Access to a diverse community of peers and seasoned civic practitioners

The inaugural 2025 Class of Carnegie Young Leaders is already making waves. One hundred teams of five young people are implementing community projects across the U.S. tackling everything from voting accessibility and disaster preparedness to mental health awareness and food access.

Deadline: May 4, 2026 
Priority Review: March 30, 2026

Apply HERE: https://cands.org/carnegie-young-leaders/

Applicants do not need a polished resume—only a drive to solve a local challenge and a team ready to build. By supporting Carnegie Young Leaders, we are helping your students move from “what if?” to “we did that,” proving that they are the experts our communities need right now.

Junior Quinn Award

The Junior Quinn Award recognizes achievement and potential in Creative Writing majors or minors with junior class standing by awarding one or more recipients with financial support to attend a writing workshop or conference. This year’s prize will be issued as a scholarship of $1000.

We recognize that it is not always easy to determine eligibility. If you are not technically a Junior this academic year but plan to graduate no earlier than December 2026 and no later than December 2027, you may be eligible. If you have any questions about your eligibility, check with our wonderful Undergraduate Advisors at englishadvising@illinois.edu. You may apply for the Junior Quinn only once. If you have eligibility questions, email John Dudek, Associate Director of Creative Writing, at jdudek4@illinois.edu. If you are eligible, we want to see a sample of your unpublished prose OR poetry:

· Prose submissions can be either fiction or creative nonfiction. Limit your submission to 1-2 pieces, no more than 15 pages total.

· Poetry submissions should contain 3-5 poems, no more than 7 pages total.

The first page of your submission (not included in page count) should be a statement of purpose explaining how attending a writing conference or other professional development opportunity would impact your writing. This statement should be no more than 250 words. A few conferences you might consider are listed below. Though feel free to find other opportunities that interest you more!
· AWP Conference
· Juniper Summer Writing Institute
· Kenyon Review Writers’ Workshop
· Port Townsend Writer’s Conference

Submit your statement of purpose and creative work in one file (.docx only) to John Dudek at jdudek4@illinois.edu by noon, March 27. To make sure your submission does not get lost, the subject line of the email should be ALL CAPS and either JUNIOR QUINN POETRY or JUNIOR QUINN PROSE. The body of this email should include: Your name, address, phone number, e-mail address, and UIN.

EVENT PREVIEW:
Visit with a Literary Agent: Rayhané Sanders

March 27, 2026   4:30 pm  
Gregory Hall room 223

Join us for a professional development presentation from a visiting literary agent! Rayhané Sanders will give a glimpse at the nuts and bolts of publishing, working in publishing, query letters, and other aspects of the literary trade. This will include some do’s and don’ts and plenty of time for questions and answers.

Rayhané Sanders is a literary agent and independent book editor with over 16-years experience in book publishing. She began her career at Newsweek Magazine, before moving to book publishing, holding positions at Dutton and Gotham Books (imprints of Penguin Group USA, now Penguin Random House) and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Moving from the publisher to the agency side of the business, she worked at William Morris Endeavor and boutique firm WSK Management, where she had the privilege of working with such bestselling and award-winning authors as Amor Towles, Jennifer Haigh, Daniel James Brown, Kate Jacobs, Kitty Kelley, Jane Pauley, Bob Dotson, and many more.

Career Fairs, Jobs, Internships, and More!

Student Writer – Communications Paid Internship

As an intern, you will be expected to work approximately 15 – 20 hours per week and will be earning $15.00/hour as compensation. This position is remote with required online meetings via Microsoft Teams. If relevant, students are encouraged to apply for credit through CMN 304. If you are interested in applying, please send a resume, cover letter and 2-3 non-academic writing samples roughly between 500-1000 words each to Ruth Kwak at rschung2@illinois.edu by 6:00 p.m. CST on Wednesday, April 20, 2026



Wolff Internship
The Charles P. Wolff Internship at the Institute of Government and Public Affairs is a paid public policy and communications internship. Wolff Interns will gain exposure to public policy research, public engagement, event management, and our network of scholars across the University of Illinois System. Interns will be assigned to work with the Senior Coordinators at IGPA to help with programming, event planning, newsletters, podcasting, website updates, scholar relations, legislative relations, and more. The Wolff Internship prepares undergraduates for careers in public service, policy, and government relations. Throughout the year, interns collaborate with the IGPA team, top UI System scholars, and government officials. Past interns have gone on to work in major law firms, serve in the State Department, become Rhodes Scholars, and work at the White House. Competitive candidates will have a strong interest in public policy, demonstrated engagement on campus, aptitude for research and communications, and a desire to contribute to ongoing policy conversations. To learn more about the Wolff Internship and to read about our current Wolffs: https://igpa.uillinois.edu/programs/the-charles-p-wolff-internship 

Apply by Sunday, March 29, 2026 at 11:59pm. Applicants will be contacted to schedule interviews shortly after the due date. Email mcama6@illinois.edu and nyeager2@illinois.edu with any questions.

Apply for a Paid Internship with the Odyssey Project
Majors in the humanities, arts, social sciences are invited to apply for a paid internship with the Odyssey Project, a program through the Humanities Research Institute that offers free college courses to qualifying members of the C-U community. Through this work, the intern will help to translate the world of academia—and ease that transition—for those who are new to it. Deadline to apply is March 31 by 11:59PM. To apply, visit  https://forms.illinois.edu/sec/174211678

Paid Summer Internship at Hasbro as a Board Game Narrative Design Intern
You will work alongside a talented cross-functional team of Graphic Designers, Game Designers, Engineers, Project Managers, and Product Managers to help bring innovative new games to market. This internship blends creative writing, storytelling, editorial accuracy, and cross-functional collaboration ideal for someone who loves games, worldbuilding, and creating engaging player-facing content. This is a unique opportunity to grow as a narrative designer while helping shape the stories, tone, and thematic identity of Hasbro’s future games. For more information, including how to apply, visit https://jobs.hasbro.com/job/Pawtucket-Intern%2C-Narrative-Design-Rhod-02861/1366304400/

Don’t Forget These!

2026 English & Creative Writing Convocation – Register Now

For those of you who are planning to graduate this spring or summer, you can now register to participate in the 2026 English & Creative Writing Convocation! In addition to our departmental celebration, there will also be a universitywide commencement ceremony; you are welcome to participate in either ceremony or both, but please remember that you must register for each one separately. You will need regalia (cap and gown) to participate in any ceremony, so don’t forget to rent your cap and gown by April 13th.

English & Creative Writing Convocation – REGISTER HERE
When: Saturday, May 16 at 5:00pm
Where: Smith Memorial Hall

Universitywide Commencement – REGISTER HERE
When: Saturday, May 16 at 9:30am
Where: Gies Memorial Stadium

For those of you who we believe to have plans to graduate either this spring or summer, we have invited you to participate in the English & Creative Writing Convocation via email. If you believe that you will be graduating this spring or summer and have not received such an invitation, please contact the advising office immediately at englishadvising@illinois.edu

East Anglia Study Abroad Info Sessions

The English Department has a study abroad exchange agreement with the University of East Anglia in Norwich, England. They are offering online information sessions for students interested in finding out more about spending a semester or year abroad at UEA:

Monday, March 30 – 17:00 BST – Register here
Thursday April 9 – 8:00 BST – Register here

For more information about a study abroad opportunity at the University of East Anglia, such as how to apply, visit the Illinois My Study Abroad webpage

Senior 100 Honorary – Applications Now Open

The Senior 100 Honorary is one of the Alumni Association’s most prestigious distinctions, recognizing 100 outstanding seniors for their leadership, service, and lasting impact on the campus community. Recipients are selected through an anonymous review process by an impartial panel of judges and will be recognized at a luncheon in May.

Eligibility: Seniors who graduated in December 2025 or are graduating in May 2026

Application Overview:
Opens: January 24, 2026
Closes: March 29, 2026 at 11:59 PM
Format: Google Form with additional questions
Requirements: 4 short essays reflecting on personal experiences

How to Apply:
Scan the QR code or visit the application link
Download and complete the application
Upload it to the Google Form and submit additional responses
Application Link

Questions may be directed to uiucsenior100@gmail.com.
Google Slides
PowerPoint

How to Connect with LAS Career Services

  • Mondays- 1-3 pm 105 Greg Hall (short chats)
  • Tuesdays- 10-3 pm LAS Hub (Lincoln Hall) with peer mentors
  • Wednesdays- 10-3 pm LAS Hub (Lincoln Hall) with peer mentors
  • Thursdays- 10-3 pm LAS Hub (Lincoln Hall) with peer mentors
  • Thursdays- 1-3 pm 105 Greg Hall (short chats)
  • Handshake Appointments (in-person or virtual) are 30 minutes during available staff times. We have an energetic team to help you. Reach out to connect. Having trouble? Reach out to us at las-careerservices@illinois.edu. 

Free Little Library

Check out the ESA Free Little Library outside EB 200. We have a rotating stock of donated books (thanks to all our anonymous donors) and you’re always welcome to stop by and pick something up. If you want to leave a book as well of course you can, but it’s not expected. If you feel like it, you can sign the sheet on the top shelf and tell us what you picked and why!

Sharing News

As a reminder, if you have an award, a publication, or some other triumph to report please send news to engl-news@illinois.edu so the social media interns can celebrate you and your accomplishment. Also, if you are a member of a student group affiliated with the English department and you would like an upcoming event posted on our undergraduate calendar (now available at the bottom of the advising page) please send that info to the same address. Thanks!

Posted on

Weekly Round-Up

Follow the department on social media

Important Dates

Advising Office Open House with Free Bagels: Wednesday, March 4
Summer & Fall 2026 courses on Course Explorer: Monday, March 9
Deadline to drop a full-semester course: Friday, March 13
Spring Break: March 14-22
POT B courses begin: Monday, March 23
Deadline to add a POT B course: Friday, March 27
Registration time tickets viewable on Self-Service: Monday, March 30

Resource of the Week: NetTutor

Midterms are quickly approaching, and if you find yourself needing some extra support, we highly advise you to take advantage of tutoring opportunities sooner than later! As a student at Illinois, you have access to FREE, online tutoring through NetTutor. NetTutor provides students with the opportunity to work with professionally-trained, degree holding tutors. To learn more and connect with an online tutor, visit https://jeffriescenter.illinois.edu/academic-service-programs/tutoring/onlinetutoring

Advising Office Open House with Free Bagels!

You’re Invited to the Spring Sonnet Soiree!

In order to fundraise for What You Will’s spring show, they will be hosting a Spring Sonnet Soiree! This will be a spring regency tea ball complete with dancing, a raffle, and sonnet recital ! The soiree will be Saturday, March 7th from 7-10pm in the Illini Union. Tickets to the soiree can be purchased at this link: https://my.cheddarup.com/c/spring-sonnet-soiree-tickets.

Black, Jewish, and Beautiful: Contemporary Blewish Voices

“Signs of the Material World: Dostoevsky, Science and the 19th Century Novel” with Melissa Frazier

When: Tuesday, March 10 from 5:00-6:00pm
Where: Lucy Elllis Lounge in the Literature, Culture, & Linguistics Building
Who: Melissa Frazier, Ilja Wachs Chair in Outstanding Teaching and Donning at Sarah Lawrence College

Drawing on Dostoevsky’s relationship with science, Signs of the Material World explores the literary impacts of nineteenth-century materialism.  Dostoevsky’s scientific interlocutors range from Auguste Comte and the “vulgar” materialists to Charles Darwin, James Clerk Maxwell, George Henry Lewes, Charles Sanders Peirce, and the Russian Nikolai Strakhov; in literary terms, Dostoevsky writes in conversation with a wide range of contemporary writers across Europe and the United States, including Lev Tolstoy, Nikolai Chernyshevsky, Wilkie Collins, Charles Dickens, George Eliot, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and Friedrich Schiller.  This talk will sketch the broad contours of Dostoevsky’s combined literary and scientific practice before turning to explore one aspect of that practice in particular:  Dostoevsky’s recourse, like Dickens, to an “indexical” allegory that lends itself to the more contingent and relational kind of materiality that Dostoevsky calls “living life.”

Gilman Scholarship Drop-In Advising with Pizza!

Advisors from the National & International Scholarships Program are hosting a Gilman Scholarship Drop-In Advising event next Tuesday, March 3 from 3-6pm in the LAS Hub in Lincoln Hall in collaboration with the Writers Workshop, Study Abroad, and Financial Aid. This is a great chance for students to get some last-minute feedback on their applications before the March 5 deadline — plus, there will be pizza!

Creating Your Powerful Resume Workshop

How can you highlight your service experience in your resume? Through service and volunteer work you get to make a positive impact in your community, but you are also gaining valuable skills and experience that will stay with you long after your project ends. Join We CU and the Career Center’s James Castree on Thursday, March 5th, from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. at Siebel Center for Design, Classroom 1000 for our Creating Your Powerful Resume Workshop.

Having a powerful resume is key to standing out from the applicant pool and landing an interview! Upon completion of this workshop, you will be able to draft an effective resume that describes the qualifications, skills, and experience you have gained from your service and volunteer experience, as well as your other activities as an Illinois student.

Dinner will be served, but space is limited. Register today to make sure you don’t miss this opportunity: https://forms.illinois.edu/sec/1459647483

Info Session for Institute for Field Education (IFE) in France or Spain

The IFE program offers immersive experience for students in France and Spain that integrate language and cultural immersion, academic coursework, and professional internships. Through IFE, students can earn 17 credit hours while engaging in a three-month internship, committing four days per week (approximately 350 hours). IFE works closely with students to identify and secure internship placements aligned with their academic background and professional interests.

In addition, students complete a pre-internship training program that includes coursework, site visits, discussion sections, and intercultural workshops. At the conclusion of the program, students complete a research paper exploring a specific topic connected to their work with their internship host organization. The courses, internship, and research paper are conducted entirely in Spanish/French, making it an excellent opportunity for students to gain international professional experience in their target language, while building upon their intercultural knowledge and skills. The information session will take place on Tuesday, March 3rd in the LAS HUB located in Lincoln Hall, just behind the marble stairs.

“Dive-In” Movie Night Screening of Sinners

When: 7:00-10:00pm on Friday, Feb. 27th
Where: Activities and Recreation Center Indoor Pool
Make a splash at our Dive-In Movie Night featuring Sinners—where the water’s warm, but the chills run deep. Grab your float, sink into the pool, and experience every twist and turn of this dark thriller!

Looking for a Second 8-Weeks (POT B) Course? Check These Out!

GER 205: Germany and Europe: Europe in Trouble?
Gen Ed – Humanities & the Arts and Western/Comparative Cultures
It may seem like Europe is in trouble all the time, and yet the European Union has proven to be more relevant and resilient than ever. The course’s central theme concerns Europe’s “struggle for identity” in relation to other global powers that underlies many of the controversies surrounding Europe’s global role today. Course material includes a historical overview, in-class screenings of several films, and we will read one novel. No prerequisites or prior knowledge necessary; taught in English.

JS 399: Special Topics – American Jewish History
This course offers an opportunity to learn the nuances of archival work using the collections available locally—the University of Illinois Library! While learning the broader context of the American Jewish experience, enrolled students will apply this knowledge right away to reconstruct the development of Jewish communities in Central Illinois based on the university’s archival holdings.  Meets in English room 109.

RST 226: Esports Foundations
This course introduces the study of the role of video games and esports in society. It explores how the design, implementation, and culture of esports connects with themes related to health, socialization, community development, economic development, and nationhood. Specific focus will be placed on the esports industry broadly defined, including individual stakeholders, game developers and publishers, communication and distribution platforms, live events and venues, and the broader cultural impact of esports.

GEOL 118: Natural Disasters
Gen Ed: Natural Sciences & Technology
Introduces the nature, causes, risks, effects, and prediction of natural disasters including earthquakes, volcanoes, landslides, subsidence, global climate change, severe weather, coastal erosion, floods, mass extinctions, and meteorite impacts; covers scientific principles and case histories of natural disasters as well as human responses (societal impact, mitigation strategies, and public policy).

IB 108: The Biology of Dinosaurs
Gen Ed: Natural Sciences & Technology
The origin, diversity, and extinction of dinosaurs will serve as a conceptual framework to explore fundamental principles of biology. We will consider dinosaurs as animals, examining evidence for their physiology and behavior, and how evolution and speciation produced the diversity of dinosaurs. We will relate the influence of Earth’s changing environments on dinosaurs to environmental change on human timescales. We will emphasize how scientists collect and evaluate fossil data through an understanding of living organisms.

RUSS 122: Russia and Black America
Gen Ed – US Minority Cultures
A survey of the interactions and intersections between key African American figures and cultural practices, and Russian imperial, Soviet, and post-Soviet culture, in a historical, social, and political context, with emphasis on Russian-sourced cultural transfers that influenced and sometimes shaped the Black American experience and which functioned as the currency and medium of the African American–Russian connection.

Present Your Research at the 2026 Chicago Area Undergraduate Research Symposium

2026 English & Creative Writing Convocation – Register Now

For those of you who are planning to graduate this spring or summer, you can now register to participate in the 2026 English & Creative Writing Convocation! In addition to our departmental celebration, there will also be a universitywide commencement ceremony; you are welcome to participate in either ceremony or both, but please remember that you must register for each one separately. You will need regalia (cap and gown) to participate in any ceremony, so don’t forget to rent your cap and gown by April 13th.

English & Creative Writing Convocation – REGISTER HERE
When: Saturday, May 16 at 5:00pm
Where: Smith Memorial Hall

Universitywide Commencement – REGISTER HERE
When: Saturday, May 16 at 9:30am
Where: Gies Memorial Stadium

For those of you who we believe to have plans to graduate either this spring or summer, we have invited you to participate in the English & Creative Writing Convocation via email. If you believe that you will be graduating this spring or summer and have not received such an invitation, please contact the advising office immediately at englishadvising@illinois.edu

Participate in a Research Study

Students, faculty, and professionals are invited to participate in a research study on how Generative AI tools, such as ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude, are used and perceived in writing and work contexts. This study is part of an English Honors thesis conducted by Eleanor Henricksen under the direction of Dr. John R. Gallagher at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. The anonymous survey takes approximately 8–12 minutes and includes questions about your experiences with GenAI, your writing background, and optional demographic information. Participation is voluntary.

For questions about the study, contact Eleanor Henricksen at eh19@illinois.edu or Dr. John Gallagher at johng@illinois.edu. For questions about your rights as a research participant, contact the University of Illinois Office for the Protection of Human Subjects at irb@illinois.edu or 217‑333‑2670.

Survey link: https://illinois.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cAZXcH7828p7fTM

Career Fairs, Jobs, Internships, and More!

Apply for a Paid Internship with the Odyssey Project
Majors in the humanities, arts, social sciences are invited to apply for a paid internship with the Odyssey Project, a program through the Humanities Research Institute that offers free college courses to qualifying members of the C-U community. Through this work, the intern will help to translate the world of academia—and ease that transition—for those who are new to it. Deadline to apply is March 31 by 11:59PM. To apply, visit  https://forms.illinois.edu/sec/174211678

2026 UI Advancement Internship Accepting Applications
This is a highly structured summer opportunity for students to learn about the world of institutional fundraising and make a lot of networking connections. This opportunity is great for students who care deeply about the mission of higher ed but may be having second thoughts about the grad school. Deadline to apply is March 6. For more information, including how to apply, visit https://uif.uillinois.edu/news/217/2026-ui-advancement-internship-accepting-applications

Paid Summer Internship at Hasbro as a Board Game Narrative Design Intern
You will work alongside a talented cross-functional team of Graphic Designers, Game Designers, Engineers, Project Managers, and Product Managers to help bring innovative new games to market. This internship blends creative writing, storytelling, editorial accuracy, and cross-functional collaboration ideal for someone who loves games, worldbuilding, and creating engaging player-facing content. This is a unique opportunity to grow as a narrative designer while helping shape the stories, tone, and thematic identity of Hasbro’s future games. For more information, including how to apply, visit https://jobs.hasbro.com/job/Pawtucket-Intern%2C-Narrative-Design-Rhod-02861/1366304400/

Don’t Forget These!

East Anglia Study Abroad Info Sessions

The English Department has a study abroad exchange agreement with the University of East Anglia in Norwich, England. They are offering online information sessions for students interested in finding out more about spending a semester or year abroad at UEA:

Monday, March 30 – 17:00 BST – Register here
Thursday April 9 – 8:00 BST – Register here

For more information about a study abroad opportunity at the University of East Anglia, such as how to apply, visit the Illinois My Study Abroad webpage

Senior 100 Honorary – Applications Now Open

The Senior 100 Honorary is one of the Alumni Association’s most prestigious distinctions, recognizing 100 outstanding seniors for their leadership, service, and lasting impact on the campus community. Recipients are selected through an anonymous review process by an impartial panel of judges and will be recognized at a luncheon in May.

Eligibility: Seniors who graduated in December 2025 or are graduating in May 2026

Application Overview:
Opens: January 24, 2026
Closes: March 29, 2026 at 11:59 PM
Format: Google Form with additional questions
Requirements: 4 short essays reflecting on personal experiences

How to Apply:
Scan the QR code or visit the application link
Download and complete the application
Upload it to the Google Form and submit additional responses
Application Link

Questions may be directed to uiucsenior100@gmail.com.
Google Slides
PowerPoint

How to Connect with LAS Career Services

  • Mondays- 1-3 pm 105 Greg Hall (short chats)
  • Tuesdays- 10-3 pm LAS Hub (Lincoln Hall) with peer mentors
  • Wednesdays- 10-3 pm LAS Hub (Lincoln Hall) with peer mentors
  • Thursdays- 10-3 pm LAS Hub (Lincoln Hall) with peer mentors
  • Thursdays- 1-3 pm 105 Greg Hall (short chats)
  • Handshake Appointments (in-person or virtual) are 30 minutes during available staff times. We have an energetic team to help you. Reach out to connect. Having trouble? Reach out to us at las-careerservices@illinois.edu. 

Present Your Research–Humanities Projects Welcome!

Free Little Library

Check out the ESA Free Little Library outside EB 200. We have a rotating stock of donated books (thanks to all our anonymous donors) and you’re always welcome to stop by and pick something up. If you want to leave a book as well of course you can, but it’s not expected. If you feel like it, you can sign the sheet on the top shelf and tell us what you picked and why!

Sharing News

As a reminder, if you have an award, a publication, or some other triumph to report please send news to engl-news@illinois.edu so the social media interns can celebrate you and your accomplishment. Also, if you are a member of a student group affiliated with the English department and you would like an upcoming event posted on our undergraduate calendar (now available at the bottom of the advising page) please send that info to the same address. Thanks!

Posted on

Weekly Round-Up

Follow the department on social media

Important Dates

Deadline to drop a POT A (first 8-weeks) course: Friday, Feb. 13
Advising Office Open House: Thursday, Feb. 19
Stage Two Department Scholarship Applications due: Friday, Feb. 20
Summer & Fall 2026 courses on Course Explorer: Monday, March 9

Resource of the Week: List of Undergraduate Certificates

Don’t have time or room to add a minor but are interested in developing additional knowledge in a field or subfield? You may be interested in a certificate program! The English department offers the Certificate in Environmental Writing and the Certificate in Business and Technical Writing, but here are some certificates outside of the College of LAS list that are of interest to English department students:

Undergraduate Certificate in Museum Studies
The certificate is “designed to provide students with a working knowledge of museum institutions and operations and promotes museum-related perspectives and skill sets that cross-cut disciplines.” This certificate is offered by the Anthropology department and is perfect for students considering a career in the GLAM (galleries, libraries, archives, and museums) industry.

Certificate in Immersive & Interactive Storytelling
“The certificate is meant for students whose academic and professional ambitions include writing, storytelling, and narrative design. The quality of the writing and the narrative content of games is crucial to the success of interactive and immersive experiences.” This certificate is offered by Game Studies & Design (GSD).

Certificate in Game Design & Development
This certificate “is meant for students whose academic and professional ambitions include careers in the game or game-adjacent industries as a designer, programmer, or a game developer.” This certificate is offered by Game Studies & Design (GSD).

Certificate in Black Women and Gender Studies
“At present, the subject of black women and gender is one of the fastest growing subfields in the social sciences, history, and humanities.” This certificate is offered by the Department of African American Studies and situates the study of Black women and gender centrally in the analysis of the African American experience, and does so from diverse disciplinary perspectives.

Certificate in Themed Entertainment
“The Certificate in Themed Entertainment invites undergraduate students to explore how story, design, culture, and audience engagement come together to create memorable themed experiences, from Disney Parks to escape rooms, interactive art installations, and more.” This certificate is offered by the Department of Theatre and aims to help students build skills in storytelling, characterization, and audience engagement that are relevant across multiple entertainment industries.

SportMedia Certificate
“The SportMedia Certificate provides students with coursework that emphasizes the technological changes radically reshaping sports entertainment. “They provide a practical foundation for understanding and working in today’s—and tomorrow’s—SportMedia industries. This certificate is offered by the College of Media.

Social Media Certificate
“The Social Media Certificate provides context and knowledge for everyone from the casual social media user to the aspiring social media manager.” This certificate is offered by the College of Media.

You can find a list of undergraduate certificate programs offered by the College of LAS here: https://las.illinois.edu/academics/programs/certificates

Advising Office Open House

2026 English & Creative Writing Convocation – Register Now!

For those of you who are planning to graduate this spring or summer, you can now register to participate in the 2026 English & Creative Writing Convocation! In addition to our departmental celebration, there will also be a universitywide commencement ceremony; you are welcome to participate in either ceremony or both, but please remember that you must register for each one separately. You will need regalia (cap and gown) to participate in any ceremony, so don’t forget to rent your cap and gown by April 13th.

English & Creative Writing Convocation – REGISTER HERE
When: Saturday, May 16 at 5:00pm
Where: Smith Memorial Hall

Universitywide Commencement – REGISTER HERE
When: Saturday, May 16 at 9:30am
Where: Gies Memorial Stadium

For those of you who we believe to have plans to graduate either this spring or summer, we have invited you to participate in the English & Creative Writing Convocation via email. If you believe that you will be graduating this spring or summer and have not received such an invitation, please contact the advising office immediately at englishadvising@illinois.edu

English Department Scholarships – Stage Two Application Due Friday, Feb. 20

Check out the department website for the Stage Two application along with an overview and instructions. The Stage Two application is due Friday, February 20.

The Department of English offers numerous merit scholarships totaling more than $100,000 in an annual competition in the spring. These scholarships recognize and reward outstanding achievements by English, creative writing, or teaching of English students. The award amounts vary widely; for more information about the scholarship application process, please contact our director of undergraduate studies, Andrea Stevens.

Upcoming Study Abroad Deadlines & Study Abroad Advising Sessions

The application deadline for Fall 2026, Summer 2026, and Academic Year 2026–2027 programs is February 15 at 11:59PM (CST). To fulfill the required advising requirement and address any questions, LAS International Programs is holding virtual drop-in advising sessions in additional to regularly scheduled appointments on the following dates and times:

Friday, February 6: 1:00–3:00 p.m. CST
Tuesday, February 10: 2:00–4:00 p.m. CST
Thursday, February 12: 2:00–4:00 p.m. CST

Students can schedule an appointment using the advising calendar. Please note that this is a particularly busy time for their office and availability is limited.

Apply to Be An Orientation Leader (OL)!

We CU Community Engaged Scholars

On Thursday, February 19th, from 5:30 to 7 pm, We CU Community Engaged Scholars will be hosting our Entering Community Partnerships workshop. This workshop provides guidance on how to successfully collaborate in service partnerships with community organizations. It also helps you think about and reflect on the role that your service experience plays in your personal and professional growth.  

The workshop includes interactive activities, and you will have time at the end for questions. Dinner will be provided. Registration is on a first-come, first-serve basis.  Register here: https://forms.illinois.edu/sec/1094698655?referrer=https://shibboleth.illinois.edu/

LAS Get Experience Expo

This event will be an opportunity for students to find out how curiosity and learning extend far beyond lectures and labs! You will be able to meet with faculty and staff, explore research, internship, service, and academic opportunities, and network with peers.

This event is open to all undergraduate students. Students are encouraged to pre-register to receive information prior to the event: https://forms.illinois.edu/sec/499774977

Participate in a Library & Food Access Study

First-Gen Student Feedback Sessions

LAS & FAA Employer Visit: The Art Institute of Chicago

When: Thursday, February 19, 2026 at 1:00pm
Where: School of Art & Design, Room 133
Stop in and chat with the Assistant Director for Academic Engagement and Research at The Art Institute of Chicago, Rachel Joy Echiverri Rowland! Rachel will be on campus to speak about internships and summer intensive opportunities with the Institute. Register to attend on Handshake.

Job & Internship Opportunities

Apply for a Paid Internship with the Odyssey Project
Majors in the humanities, arts, social sciences are invited to apply for a paid internship with the Odyssey Project, a program through the Humanities Research Institute that offers free college courses to qualifying members of the C-U community. Through this work, the intern will help to translate the world of academia—and ease that transition—for those who are new to it. Deadline to apply is March 31 by 11:59PM. To apply, visit  https://forms.illinois.edu/sec/174211678

2026 UI Advancement Internship Accepting Applications
This is a highly structured summer opportunity for students to learn about the world of institutional fundraising and make a lot of networking connections. This opportunity is great for students who care deeply about the mission of higher ed but may be having second thoughts about the grad school. Deadline to apply is March 6. For more information, including how to apply, visit https://uif.uillinois.edu/news/217/2026-ui-advancement-internship-accepting-applications

Part-Time Public Relations/Customer Service Position
This campus part-time job with the University of Illinois Foundation Engagement Center can offer valuable experience relevant to both the nonprofit and for-profit worlds for students with excellent oral communication skills. For more information, including how to apply, visit https://secure.osfa.illinois.edu/vjb/detail.aspx?type=nonfws&postid=48081

Join the Ravinia Team – Open Summer 2026 Positions
For more information about the positions, including how to apply, visit https://bit.ly/workatravinia

Senior 100 Honorary – Applications Now Open

The Senior 100 Honorary is one of the Alumni Association’s most prestigious distinctions, recognizing 100 outstanding seniors for their leadership, service, and lasting impact on the campus community. Recipients are selected through an anonymous review process by an impartial panel of judges and will be recognized at a luncheon in May.

Eligibility: Seniors who graduated in December 2025 or are graduating in May 2026

Application Overview:
Opens: January 24, 2026
Closes: March 29, 2026 at 11:59 PM
Format: Google Form with additional questions
Requirements: 4 short essays reflecting on personal experiences

How to Apply:
Scan the QR code or visit the application link
Download and complete the application
Upload it to the Google Form and submit additional responses
Application Link

Questions may be directed to uiucsenior100@gmail.com.
Google Slides
PowerPoint

Land Grant Universities: A Discussion with Tristan Ahtone

This presentation examines the entangled histories of Indigenous land dispossession, the founding of the land-grant university system, and epistemicide in settler colonial institutions. Building on the Land-Grab Universities and Misplaced Trust investigations, and drawing from current efforts by the Trump administration to eliminate diversity initiatives at U.S. institutions, this talk draws a direct line between the violent expropriation of Indigenous territories to the erasure of Indigenous peoples on campuses and in American institutions at large, ultimately arguing that ideas of academic freedom cannot be disentangled from questions of historic justice and decolonial action.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER:
Tristan Ahtone is a member of the Kiowa Tribe and is Editor at Large at Grist. He previously served as Editor in Chief at the Texas Observer and Indigenous Affairs editor at High Country News. He has reported for Al Jazeera America, PBS NewsHour, Indian Country Today, and NPR to name a few. Ahtone’s stories have won multiple honors, including a George Polk Award, Richard LaCourse awards, a National Magazine Award nomination, and investigative awards from the Gannett Foundation and IRE: Investigative Reporters and Editors. A past president of the Native American Journalists Association, Ahtone is a 2017 Nieman Fellow.

“As Usual You Have Produced Yet Another Installment Worthy of Archiving”: The Persistence of Obsolescence in Queer Information & Media Technologies with Travis Wagner

Upcoming Poetry Events

Don’t Forget These!

Spring Creative Writing Contest Open

The English Department is pleased to announce its annual undergraduate literary competitions in Short Fiction and Poetry. The prizes for our judge’s top selections are awards or scholarships ranging from $100-$1500. There are multiple places in each category. Deadline: Noon, Friday, February 27, 2026

Only University of Illinois undergraduate students are eligible. To be considered for a prize, submissions must adhere to the following rules:

Short Fiction: Submit no more than one unpublished story (7500 words, maximum length)
Poetry: Submit up to 5 unpublished poems in a single document.

– All submissions must be sent via email as an attachment to: jdudek4@illinois.edu.
– The subject line of your email message must read as follows: “UNDERGRAD POETRY: Last name” or “UNDERGRAD FICTION: Last name”
– If you enter in both categories (poetry and fiction), you will need to send separate emails.

In the body of your email, please include your:
-name
-address
-phone number
-@Illinois e-mail address
-status (i.e. undergraduate student)
-UIN

This year, we are also able to offer new scholarships in both Fiction and Poetry. These scholarships will be distributed to students based on merit, with preference given to students displaying financial need and who graduated from an Illinois high school.

If you would like to be considered for one of these scholarships, please include the following along with the information above:
–a brief note on your financial need (no more than a couple sentences included below the contact information in the body of the email)
–the name of the Illinois high school from which you graduated

Your entry itself is to be contained in one attached .docx file. The name of this file must be the contest category followed by your last name, such as “FICTION JONES.docx” or “POETRY JONES.docx” Your name should not appear within the document itself.
Winners will be announced in early April. Please direct any questions to John Dudek, Associate Director of Creative Writing at jdudek4@illinois.edu.

East Anglia Study Abroad Info Sessions

The English Department has a study abroad exchange agreement with the University of East Anglia in Norwich, England. They are offering online information sessions for students interested in finding out more about spending a semester or year abroad at UEA:

Thursday, Feb. 19 – 17:00 GMT – Register here
Monday, March 30 – 17:00 BST – Register here
Thursday April 9 – 8:00 BST – Register here

For more information about a study abroad opportunity at the University of East Anglia, such as how to apply, visit the Illinois My Study Abroad webpage

Post-Graduate Fellowship Opportunity

The James H. Dunn Memorial Fellowship Program offers 15-20 recent graduates the opportunity to spend a year working full-time within the Illinois Office of the Governor.  Dunn Fellows participate in an annual orientation, bi-monthly lunch & learns, and are welcome into a community of fellowship alumni dating back to 1979. Fellows are paid $43,500 and receive full state benefits. This program attracts talent from across the nation, each cohort united by a shared commitment to public service evident in their academic, professional, and extracurricular profiles. Applicants rank their top teams and if selected, will be assigned to work from Springfield, Chicago, or Washington D.C.

Open to those who will have a degree in hand by the start of July (so May graduates are eligible).

Career Networking Event

This is a career event for students who:

  • Wonder how to build a career around their arts-related interests.
  • Love being in cultural, performance, or museum spaces
  • Want to promote creative and cultural work
  • Seek a career with intellectual purpose

There will be a guided networking event from 2:30 – 4pm with professionals from various Illinois arts and culture organizations, followed by a panel of discussion with student interns working for arts and culture organizations, 4 – 5pm. Students can come for any or all of it. There will be snacks.

Community-Academic Scholars

The Community-Academic Scholars (CAS) program is a 10-week summer research experience that empowers undergraduates in all majors to address critical issues in the local community. Scholars work with an Illinois researcher and a community organization on a research project designed to directly benefit the community members served by the partner organization. Review the project descriptions and the scholar’s role within each project to find projects that best match your strengths and background. Apply by Feb. 18. 

How to Connect with LAS Career Services

  • Mondays- 1-3 pm 105 Greg Hall (short chats)
  • Tuesdays- 10-3 pm LAS Hub (Lincoln Hall) with peer mentors
  • Wednesdays- 10-3 pm LAS Hub (Lincoln Hall) with peer mentors
  • Thursdays- 10-3 pm LAS Hub (Lincoln Hall) with peer mentors
  • Thursdays- 1-3 pm 105 Greg Hall (short chats)
  • Handshake Appointments (in-person or virtual) are 30 minutes during available staff times. We have an energetic team to help you. Reach out to connect. Having trouble? Reach out to us at las-careerservices@illinois.edu. 

Present Your Research–Humanities Projects Welcome!

Free Little Library

Check out the ESA Free Little Library outside EB 200. We have a rotating stock of donated books (thanks to all our anonymous donors) and you’re always welcome to stop by and pick something up. If you want to leave a book as well of course you can, but it’s not expected. If you feel like it, you can sign the sheet on the top shelf and tell us what you picked and why!

Sharing News

As a reminder, if you have an award, a publication, or some other triumph to report please send news to engl-news@illinois.edu so the social media interns can celebrate you and your accomplishment. Also, if you are a member of a student group affiliated with the English department and you would like an upcoming event posted on our undergraduate calendar (now available at the bottom of the advising page) please send that info to the same address. Thanks!

Posted on

Weekly Round-Up

Follow the department on social media

Important Dates

Deadline to add a full-semester course for spring: Monday, Feb. 2
Deadline to add yourself to the May degree list: Monday, Feb. 2
Deadline for Stage One applications for English Department Scholarships: Friday, Feb. 6
Deadline to drop a POT A (first 8-weeks) course: Friday, Feb. 13
Deadline for Stage Two applications for English Department Scholarships: Friday, Feb. 20

Resource of the Week: Writers Workshop

The Writers Workshop provides free support to students across all forms of academic and professional writing, at any stage of the writing process. They offer writing consultations where they provide feedback on essays, research papers, personal statements, cover letters, theses and dissertations, manuscripts for publication, presentations, digital compositions, and anything between and beyond.

They offer in-person appointments, video call appointments, written feedback appointments, and drop-in consultations. For more information, such as how to book an appointment, visit https://writersworkshop.illinois.edu/

English Department Scholarships

Did you miss the info session about the English Department Scholarships? You can find information about the application process on the department website. An overview and instructions are provided along with the Stage One application.

The Department of English offers numerous merit scholarships totaling more than $100,000 in an annual competition in the spring. These scholarships recognize and reward outstanding achievements by English, creative writing, or teaching of English students. The award amounts vary widely; for more information about this please contact our director of undergraduate studies, Andrea Stevens.

Do-It-Yourself Fidget Tools Crafting Event

Make a DIY fidget tool and learn about sensory resources at the library! Walk-ins welcome but register in advance for a fidget take home kit. Pizza and materials will be provided while supplies last. This activity is sponsored by the Main Library and the Grainger Engineering Library Information Center IDEA Lab.

Secondary Education Minor Application DEADLINE THIS SUNDAY

The application window to apply to the Secondary Education Minor (for students expecting to graduate in May 2028) will close this Sunday, February 1, 2026. All the information, and a link to the application, can be found on this page.

Please note that before you submit the application, you have to complete the “advisor verification form” and then have Maggie or Anna sign off on it. 

Speak Up, Stand Out!

Beinecke Scholarship Info Sessions & Workshop

Spring Creative Writing Contest Open

The English Department is pleased to announce its annual undergraduate literary competitions in Short Fiction and Poetry. The prizes for our judge’s top selections are awards or scholarships ranging from $100-$1500. There are multiple places in each category. Deadline: Noon, Friday, February 27, 2026

Only University of Illinois undergraduate students are eligible. To be considered for a prize, submissions must adhere to the following rules:

Short Fiction: Submit no more than one unpublished story (7500 words, maximum length)
Poetry: Submit up to 5 unpublished poems in a single document.

– All submissions must be sent via email as an attachment to: jdudek4@illinois.edu.
– The subject line of your email message must read as follows: “UNDERGRAD POETRY: Last name” or “UNDERGRAD FICTION: Last name”
– If you enter in both categories (poetry and fiction), you will need to send separate emails.

In the body of your email, please include your:
-name
-address
-phone number
-@Illinois e-mail address
-status (i.e. undergraduate student)
-UIN

This year, we are also able to offer new scholarships in both Fiction and Poetry. These scholarships will be distributed to students based on merit, with preference given to students displaying financial need and who graduated from an Illinois high school.

If you would like to be considered for one of these scholarships, please include the following along with the information above:
–a brief note on your financial need (no more than a couple sentences included below the contact information in the body of the email)
–the name of the Illinois high school from which you graduated

Your entry itself is to be contained in one attached .docx file. The name of this file must be the contest category followed by your last name, such as “FICTION JONES.docx” or “POETRY JONES.docx” Your name should not appear within the document itself.
Winners will be announced in early April. Please direct any questions to John Dudek, Associate Director of Creative Writing at jdudek4@illinois.edu.

CW 243 & Education Justice Project (EJP) Blended Course for Fall 2026

Want a Pen Pal?

If you follow Smile Politely, you might have seen this article about the pen pal project. 

If you’d enjoy having a pen pal, please fill out this application! They’ve gotten a huge response from the community so far and are hoping to be able to match everyone up with a student. 

East Anglia Study Abroad Info Sessions

The English Department has a study abroad exchange agreement with the University of East Anglia in Norwich, England. They are offering online information sessions for students interested in finding out more about spending a semester or year abroad at UEA:

Thursday, Feb. 12 – 8:00 GMT – Register here
Thursday, Feb. 19 – 17:00 GMT – Register here
Monday, March 30 – 17:00 BST – Register here
Thursday April 9 – 8:00 BST – Register here

They are also hosting information sessions for their Creative Writing Summer School:

Wednesday, Feb. 4 – 17:00-18:00 GMT – Register here
Wednesday, Feb. 11 – 8:00-9:00 GMT – Register here

For more information about a study abroad opportunity at the University of East Anglia, such as how to apply, visit the Illinois My Study Abroad webpage

Join the Public Interest Law Association

Lecture on Generative AI

Lauren Goodlad, the chair of Critical AI @ Rutgers and the editor of Critical AI, will be here on Feb 4th. Professor Goodlad has been a leader in critiques of AI through a humanities lens and has been fostering international conversations about AI literacy. Her visit will include a lecture at 4pm in Main Library titled “THE LIFECYCLE OF WRITING SUBJECTS: On Generative AI and the Future of Writing” with an option to attend via Zoom.

A Screening & Conversation with Kahlil Joseph

BLKNWS: Terms & Conditions is an Afro-futurist film that braids fictional and historical characters in a stunning cinematic experience spanning 247 years across land and sea. Directed by Kahlil Joseph—known for his collaborations with Beyoncé (Lemonade) and Kendrick Lamar—the film is shaped by an extraordinary creative team, including Oscar-winning editor Paul Rogers (Everything Everywhere All at Once), cinematographer Bradford Young (Selma), and MacArthur Award–winning co-director Garrett Bradley (Time).

Premiering at Sundance, BLKNWS was ranked “Best of Festival” by Metacritic and was nominated for Best Documentary Feature at the Gotham Film Awards.

Rich Spirit Studios has granted the University of Illinois an exclusive screening, to be followed by a public conversation with Joseph and collaborators.

New Harbinger Publications Hiring Part-Time & Remote Marketing Assistant

New Harbinger Publications, a leading publisher of evidence-based self-help and psychology books, is seeking a detail-oriented and motivated Marketing Assistant to support their marketing and publicity team. This is a virtual, part-time (20 hours/week) contract position ideal for someone interested in learning the ins and outs of book marketing in a mission-driven, independent publishing environment.

For more information, such as how to apply, visit https://www.newharbinger.com/pages/job-opportunities/#marketing

The Career Center is Hiring!

The Career Center is hiring undergraduate student workers for the Career Services Paraprofessionals position. Click here to learn more, and contact Zella Walden at zwalden2@illinois.edu if you have any questions. 

Post-Graduate Fellowship Opportunity

The James H. Dunn Memorial Fellowship Program offers 15-20 recent graduates the opportunity to spend a year working full-time within the Illinois Office of the Governor.  Dunn Fellows participate in an annual orientation, bi-monthly lunch & learns, and are welcome into a community of fellowship alumni dating back to 1979. Fellows are paid $43,500 and receive full state benefits. This program attracts talent from across the nation, each cohort united by a shared commitment to public service evident in their academic, professional, and extracurricular profiles. Applicants rank their top teams and if selected, will be assigned to work from Springfield, Chicago, or Washington D.C.

Open to those who will have a degree in hand by the start of July (so May graduates are eligible).

Submit Your Work for Publication

Career Networking Event

This is a career event for students who:

  • Wonder how to build a career around their arts-related interests.
  • Love being in cultural, performance, or museum spaces
  • Want to promote creative and cultural work
  • Seek a career with intellectual purpose

There will be a guided networking event from 2:30 – 4pm with professionals from various Illinois arts and culture organizations, followed by a panel of discussion with student interns working for arts and culture organizations, 4 – 5pm. Students can come for any or all of it. There will be snacks.

How to Connect with LAS Career Services

  • Mondays- 1-3 pm 105 Greg Hall (short chats)
  • Tuesdays- 10-3 pm LAS Hub (Lincoln Hall) with peer mentors
  • Wednesdays- 10-3 pm LAS Hub (Lincoln Hall) with peer mentors
  • Thursdays- 10-3 pm LAS Hub (Lincoln Hall) with peer mentors
  • Thursdays- 1-3 pm 105 Greg Hall (short chats)
  • Handshake Appointments (in-person or virtual) are 30 minutes during available staff times. We have an energetic team to help you. Reach out to connect. Having trouble? Reach out to us at las-careerservices@illinois.edu. 

Undergraduate Research Ambassadors Program

Want to inspire and support the next generation of undergraduate researchers at Illinois? The Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) is looking for motivated and personable undergraduate students in all majors who are excited to introduce and support peers through the Illinois research experience as an Illinois Undergraduate Research Ambassador (IURA). If you have participated in a research project, be it through coursework, assisting faculty, research staff, or graduate students, or conducting a mentored project of your own, we invite you to apply to become an  Ambassador and help other students along their research journeys.  

This application is for Ambassador positions for AY 2026–27 (Fall 2026 and Spring 2027). Ambassadors are paid $15 per hour and are expected to work 30 hours per semester. Selected ambassadors are expected to be able to commit to working both semesters. During Spring 2026, new hires will undergo onboarding and orientation where they will receive all necessary training on being an Ambassador as well as be expected to work 4 hours at the Undergraduate Research Symposium on April 30, 2026. 

Program Description  

IURAs are a collaborative cohort of accomplished and experienced students at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Ambassadors promote undergraduate research on The University of Illinois campus and help OUR develop and maintain student-focused programs that represent our University’s diverse array of research disciplines.   

Responsibilities  

IURAs must be active participants in all assigned responsibilities, including occasional mandatory weekend and evening events, for the full academic year. 

As an Ambassador, you will:  

  • Mentor, support, and guide undergraduate students at various stages of their research journey through one-on-one meetings, drop-in sessions, and outreach.   
  • Represent and promote OUR’s mission to current and prospective undergraduate researchers at on-campus recruiting and outreach events, classroom presentations, and other informational sessions.  
  • Lead or assist in workshops on undergraduate research and participate as a panelist to share your experience in undergraduate research.  
  • Support OUR’s social media campaigns.  
  • Assist in the organization and logistics of the Undergraduate Research Symposium.  
  • Be required to attend monthly Ambassador cohort meetings covering professional development topics such as training in peer mentoring, communication, public speaking, event planning, outreach, and program development.  

To learn more about the IURA program and how to apply, check out our call for applications. If you are unsure if your experience counts, reach out to us! We are happy to answer any questions. Contact us at ugresearch@illinois.edu.   

Deadline to apply is Friday, January 30, 2026 at 11:59pm.

Present Your Research–Humanities Projects Welcome!

Free Little Library

Check out the ESA Free Little Library outside EB 200. We have a rotating stock of donated books (thanks to all our anonymous donors) and you’re always welcome to stop by and pick something up. If you want to leave a book as well of course you can, but it’s not expected. If you feel like it, you can sign the sheet on the top shelf and tell us what you picked and why!

Sharing News

As a reminder, if you have an award, a publication, or some other triumph to report please send news to engl-news@illinois.edu so the social media interns can celebrate you and your accomplishment. Also, if you are a member of a student group affiliated with the English department and you would like an upcoming event posted on our undergraduate calendar (now available at the bottom of the advising page) please send that info to the same address. Thanks!