Frequently Asked Questions

Is there life after graduation?
Yes! And while teaching and graduate school are obvious career choices, VI English grads are also working as market researchers, advertisers, business writers, public relations and publications professionals, creative writers, playwrights, actors, freelance writers, editors and copy readers, journalists, publishers, reseachers, technical writers, translators and the list goes on and on.

What are the internship opportunities for English majors?

Some English majors help teach freshman composition. Others elect to intern with a local publishing company. Working on a faculty-student research project is also an option. Whatever your academic goals, the English faculty can help you achieve them.

Are there other activities for English majors?

English majors are encouraged to submit publications or work on the staff of The Moore Street Review, the campus literary/arts magazine. Students may also choose to work as writing tutors in the Writing Center. We also host an annual student/faculty poetry reading.

What is the average class size in the English program?
To insure individualized attention, freshman courses have a maximum of about 20 students. Sophomore classes average about 25 students while junior and senior classes have fewer than 10 students per class.

How are English classes taught at VI
?
Faculty members believe that students have a right to think for themselves and express their beliefs. Students are encouraged to think independently and defend their views. Small class sizes insure interaction.

What choice of minors do English majors have?
Students have many choices of minors at VI. Some students have chosen to minor in art, business administration, photography and digital imaging. English also offers a minor in writing. The possibilities are abundant.


What is different about VI faculty?

VI's full-time professors have earned Ph.D's and are accomplished scholars and published writers. English faculty members offer an individualized learning environment not available at most colleges and universities.

Famous English majors:

  • Chevy Chase, comedian, actor, writer
  • James Cameron, director, editor, producer, screenwriter ("Titanic")
  • Matt Damon, actor, screenwriter
  • David Duchovny, actor
  • Michael Eisner, Walt Disney CEO
  • Harrison Ford, actor
  • Jodi Foster, actress, filmaker
  • Cathy Guisewite, cartoonist (Cathy)
  • Don Henley, of "The Eagles"--singer, songwriter, musician, environmental activist
  • Tommy Lee Jones, actor
  • Stephen King, novelist
  • Conan O'Brien, talk show host, writer
  • Joe Paterno, football coach, Penn State
  • Christopher Reeve, actor, writer, director
  • Sally Ride, astronaut
  • Susan Sarandon, actress
  • Diane Sawyer, boradcast journalist
  • Paul Simon, songwriter, singer
  • Steven Spielberg, filmmaker
  • Clarence Thomas, U.S. Supreme Court Justice
  • Barbara Walters, broadcast journalist
  • Sigoureny Weaver, actress
  • Renee Zellweger, actress