Meet the Major: English

University of Massachusetts Danyea smiles at the camera on a winter day, wearing a white knit cap and scarf — Danyea is a senior English major

Why did you decide to come to the University of Massachusetts Amherst?

Danyea: When I applied to different universities as an English major, I wasn’t sure if I would stay in that major. I did know that whatever university I chose had to have a lot of options in case I wanted to switch majors, add a minor, or something similar. I knew that UMass Amherst had so many different majors and a lot of programs to choose from, so that played a big role in choosing to come here. Thankfully, I love the English department and I’ve been able to really customize my education here.

Why did you choose your major?

Danyea: I think my interest in the English major stemmed from a love of the arts and expression, but also the practical skill of written communication. So many people asked me if I was going to be an English teacher or a creative writer, and while those are important and valuable professions, I knew they weren’t for me. I think I always knew that there was more to English than reading literature and writing essays, and I wanted to experience that myself.

University of Massachusetts student Danyea and two friends smile stand on ice skates on the ice in the Mullins Center

What are your classes like? Do you have any favorites?

Danyea: My classes have been so varied over the last four years, which makes choosing favorites pretty difficult. I think that also shows how incredible the department is about offering classes that are of interest to so many different students. The department is on the smaller side compared to other majors at UMass, so I’m usually in classes of around 30 students or less. They’re mostly discussion-based, which means there’s some independent work and reading done outside of class, and then everyone comes together to talk about how they understood the class material. It’s a great environment to ask questions and learn from not just your instructors, but also your classmates. My favorite class was my Junior Year Writing class. I already knew the professor from a previous class I had taken and the topic was on Race and Rhetoric. We had a lot of important conversations surrounding race and writing, and my professor created a really encouraging class environment for students to experiment with writing.

What are the professors like?

Danyea: Though the English department is smaller than others on campus, I definitely have not met all of the professors. From my experience, they’re all very willing to share resources with students and offer advice, whether that’s career advice, academic advice, or just tips on navigating life. It’s also great being able to take multiple classes with some professors, because your relationship can grow and it really enhances your experience in and out of the classroom.

University of Massachusetts student Danyea stands in an apple orchard on a sunny day

How do you plan to use your degree? How have you prepared for this path?

Danyea: I plan on pursuing a job in technical writing after graduation. Technical writing can mean a lot of different things, but it all comes down to documenting processes for users. The English department offers several certificates and specializations that you can pursue and one of the certificates I’m getting is in Professional Writing and Technical Communication, often referred to as PWTC. The professors who direct this program have so many resources for students, and there’s a strong network of UMass Amherst alumni who also pursued this certificate. The writing is unlike anything I learned before college and I’m really excited to get into the field.

Any tips for incoming students within the major?

Danyea: Advocate for yourself! Don’t be afraid to ask for help and take advantage of the resources the English department and the College of Humanities and Fine Arts (HFA) have. Some of the best experiences I’ve had at UMass Amherst have happened because I reached out to a professor with a question and it opened the door to so many other opportunities.