Writing Arts Student & Post-Grad Plans

Many college students have the same black cloud of a thought looming over their heads at all times: “What am I going to do after I graduate?” Each department at Rowan has their own way of helping students answer this pressing question. This week, I asked a handful of students in the Writing Arts major how they feel our department has helped them figure out what they want to do with their futures. 

Peter Wall: My plans after graduation are to become either a book editor or a literary agent. I started writing my first novel for my final project in my worldbuilding class, but that process made me fall in love with writing all over again. Since then, I've been writing more short stories, a few poems, and continuing my novel outside of my academic life. During my time in the writing arts field, I've learned how to develop my own writing process, the different opportunities of publishing my work, as well as what works to make a good story. I was nothing short of rusty when I first got back into writing, but having had two of my poems accepted to Avant and receiving great praise as well as very helpful feedback on my novel has allowed me to trust my process and accept that writing is unfinished and rarely bad. I've got ways to go before I write the next Narnia, but the classes I've taken have been beyond helpful, and the classes I've yet to take keep me hopeful for my place in the publishing career.

Samantha Szumloz: My plan after graduation is to do the Disney College Program for eight months, network with other creatives within the organization, and then, after eight months, pursue a career in content creation, marketing, and/or publishing (nothing is set in stone yet.) My experiences within Rowan’s WA Department have helped me realize my goals, develop the skills needed to achieve my goals, and gain confidence through the Rowan WA-based organizations I have networked with/joined. By working with these clubs, I have gained so much content creation and editing experience, boosting my self-confidence. I am also able to network with professionals much more easily, thanks to the internal internships I have worked in (Singularity Press and the Practicum).

Cecilia Combs: One of my biggest goals for post-graduation is to teach writing. The Rowan Writing Arts department helped me with that goal a lot. It offered me job experience in the field of teaching writing through the on-campus Writing Center. I was also able to attend conferences to network for teaching, and to take classes like Tutoring Writing with Professor Romano to teach about tutoring. These experiences not only look great on my resume, but they also taught me crucial skills in these fields. I was able to learn about clear communication, teaching different tutoring styles, and leadership skills. This development was facilitated through classes, work, and practice made possible by various programs in the Writing Arts programs. Being able to take leadership positions in clubs like the Writing Arts Club or while working with the WA internal Internship allowed me to routinely practice these skills in friendly environments. I was very grateful because the continued exposure helped me to feel more confident in my ability to teach and help people!

As for me, my biggest goal after I finish undergrad is to resume my education in Rowan’s MA in Writing program. I feel as though I’ve really found my people within the Writing Arts department, and I want to stay and continue to learn, grow, and hopefully make a positive impact on this community. After finishing graduate school, I’d like to teach writing at the undergraduate level, while hopefully also pursuing a career in the publishing industry as either a literary agent or an acquisitions editor. The Rowan Writing Arts department helped me realize both of these goals. I realized my passion for teaching in my role as a tutor at the writing center. Throughout my first semester leading studio sessions for groups of intensive composition students, I grew to love the fulfillment that I get from making connections with my students while helping them improve as writers. My desire to work within the publishing industry stems from several experiences I’ve had within the department. First, my time as an editor for Avant Literary Magazine has given me experience in the field while also allowing me to work with a group of close friends to accomplish a shared goal. Additionally, classes such as Editing for Publication and Publishing Creative Work have taught me how the publishing industry functions. Learning about positions within the industry has allowed me to figure out what types of jobs I’d like best. Without these experiences that the Writing Arts department has given me, I have no clue what my goals for the future would be. I’m so grateful for the time I’ve had in this department, and I’m excited to spend more years within this community.