English majors can explore career paths at networking event

By Addison Delgado

For most college students, securing an internship is one of their most stressful milestones. Early career opportunities can shape post-graduation success, and several academic programs at Florida State University require internship experience for graduation.

For example, in FSU’s Department of English, students on the Editing, Writing, and Media track must find an internship; for students across all programs that the department offers, however, hands-on experience is still invaluable.

To help English majors secure these opportunities. The department is hosting a casual networking event for all the students still looking for a Summer 2026 or Fall 2026 internship.

Associate Lecturer of English Molly Hand, who also is the director of the department’s Editing Internship Program, organized the event to provide opportunities for English majors to connect with employers and learn more about broader career paths.

“The primary purpose is for students to meet representatives from organizations that regularly provide internship opportunities for our majors,” Hand says. “This is also an opportunity to meet employers in a variety of fields and to learn about professional paths and broader career development. Students can practice networking, while also socializing and connecting with peers.”

The event will be less formal and more social, Hand says, allowing students to meet face-to-face with potential employers and learn more about the opportunities on campus and in the greater Tallahassee area. Hand has invited a wide variety of participants to showcase the diverse career paths for English majors.

When organizing the event, Hand wanted students to meet representatives of the organizations who regularly provide internship opportunities for English students.

“We have representatives from department, campus, and community organizations, including the National Center for Responsible Government Contracting, the Southeast Review, Tallahassee Magazine, FSU's Center for Undergraduate Research and Academic Engagement, the Museum of Everyday Writing, the DeVoe L. Moore Institute, and more,” Hand says.

Career guidance counselors stress that internships can help students during their job search outside of college. Southeast Review, a nationally renowned literary magazine housed in FSU’s Department of English, helps provide these opportunities for students.

“It's essential to create internship opportunities for English students because everyone deserves to have real-world learning experiences that equip them for professional success,” says English-Creative Writing doctoral student Caroline Laganas, who currently runs SER’s internship program. “We value instilling our interns with transferrable skills such as communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity to foster holistic development that transcends the classroom.”

Students of all three major tracks within the English department who are interested in learning more about SER and other internship opportunities are invited to attend the networking event on Wednesday, March 4, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. The location is the Common Room, on the ground floor of the Williams Building. Attendees are encouraged to drop in at any time between the beginning and the end of the event. Light refreshments will be served.

Addison Delgado is a double major in English-Literature, Media, and Culture and in media/communication studies.

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