Written by: Cole Edwards

Keep calm, English majors. Jobs are out there, and the English department is here to keep you motivated.

The English department will be holding the conference, “What to Do with a Degree in English?” on Oct. 4 from noon to 2 p.m. in the University Center Rose Room.

The event will offer students an opportunity to talk with former VSU English majors about their different career experiences in and around Valdosta. Not to mention, there will be free pizza.

“Students often do not seek the major they want because they are encouraged to pursue subjects that have identifiable job prospects,” Mark Smith, English department head, said. “We hope this event informs students of their job options and opportunities for when they graduate from college.”

Smith explained that there are actually many jobs for those with an English-based degree but admits students are not always informed. He found a cross section of alumni who have been successful in their chosen fields to explain to English majors the skills they need to develop, the process of selecting the right job and how to approach employers.

“The English department has held events similar to this in the past, but this is the first time a group of alumni will come together to speak to students about careers and majors,” Smith said.

Speaking will be Andrew Stone, an attorney at Wallace Law Group in Valdosta; Nikki Vannoy, an English teacher at Lowndes High School; and Kimberly Sale, an English lecturer at VSU.

Traci Augustosky, a writer and editor for the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta, will also speak. The event will be held the night before Augustosky will receive the College of Arts and Science’s Outstanding Alumni for the English Department award.

“Colleges are ranked on students in the job market, so we want to make our majors confident that they can find employment after they graduate,” Smith said.

The English department plans to make this an annual event during homecoming week for both students and alumni.

All students are welcome, but the event is primarily for English majors.

If you plan to attend, please sign up in the English department in West Hall room 207 by tomorrow.