Career Development

Career development opportunities are available through The Graduate School and the MFA program.   

Graduate School Office of Professional Development: The OPD (538 Goodell Building) offers assistance for graduate students throughout the year. Once a month the office holds a Pizza and Proposals event where students can receive grant writing advice with a free dinner. Additionally, OPD offers grant writing classes, research workshops, and brown bag lunches with speakers on topics like academic publishing and effective teaching. For more information, contact their office at  413-545-0669 or email opd@grad.umass.edu.

Individual Career Advice: You can expect to work primarily with your thesis advisor for specific advice tailored to your concentration and career goals but you are encouraged to consult with other MFA and English Department faculty as well as with community members and alumni who share your focus.

Writers @ Work: Writers @ Work is a series of professional development workshops offered through the academic year, hosted by the MFA and featuring an array of professionals working in fields related to literary, book, and other arts, but distinct from academia. Recent speakers include Andrea Abi-Karam, Ari Banias, Kyle Dacuyan, Leora Fridman, Emily Nemens, and Enzo Silon Surin.