English What OCU English Majors Do: • Design and edit their own annual literary magazine, The Scarab • Tutor peers and homeless kids in the community • Take a class on war and superheroes with the guy who wrote the book about it • Help document the lives of great Oklahoma authors like Ralph Ellison • Contribute to museum exhibits • Meet and talk to Pulitzer and National Book Award winning poets and Distinguished Speakers • Study in England, Japan, Taiwan, and Germany • Go on to teach English language in another country • Win statewide recognition as future teachers • Study fiction writing with an award-winning author • Publish a graphic novel • Go on to write a novel that gets a feature display at one of the nation’s most famous bookstores: https://twitter.com/bwhobson/status/458472525500915712 • Get jobs at bookstores, libraries, museums, newspapers, law offices, and schools • Go on to write narrative for video game designers • Go to law school or graduate school. 100% of OCU English majors who apply to post-graduate programs get accepted!
What Can I Do with an English Degree? Actually, the question is, “What can’t you do with an English Degree?” The knowledge and skills you will acquire as an English major will prepare you for a wide range of career options. Our graduates become critical thinkers who can research, analyze, and synthesize information, and then intelligently present their conclusions. This ability to communicate thoughts and ideas in a clear and concise fashion (both orally and in written form) is a skill high on every employer’s list. English majors go on to work in a variety of fields, including Communications, Government and Public Sector, Education, and Business and Industry.
Some career options for the English Degree • Academic Advisor/Counselor • Advertising Account Assistant • Advertising Copywriter • Archivist/Historian • Career Planning and Placement Counselor • College Admissions Specialist • College Professor • Computer Instructional Designer • Continuity Writer • Copy Editor/Proofreader • Corporate Communications Specialist • Correspondent/Stringer
• Educational Researcher • Energy Researcher • Environmental Communicator/Researcher • Film Production Assistant • Film Researcher/Copywriter • Freelance Writer • Grantwriter/fundraiser • Intelligence Officer • Legislative Aide • Librarian • Market Research Assistant • Middle or High School Teacher
• Paralegal • Personal Finance Specialist • Political Campaign Worker or Researcher • Publications Marketing Representative • Publications Researcher • Press Operator • Public Affairs Coordinator • Reporter/Staff Writer • Technical Editorial Assistant • Technical Writer
To learn more, contact (405) 208-5707 or english@okcu.edu
Tips for writing a Personal Statement for the college application or an internship 1. Define your own character: what is unusual and meaningful about you? You might ask family, friends, mentors, teachers or coaches for input. 2. Have a clear opening. Choose an angle. Try an anecdote that illustrates your angle. You might incorporate some excitement, humor, or drama, but you don’t need to invent epic drama; just show us that you have carefully observed what your behavior reflects about you. Remember, we are looking for a character we want to spend time with. 3. Weave that angle through the body of the paper. Whatever qualities you used in step 1, tie in those words throughout this section. • Any research or work you have done related to your major or the job • Special talents (artistic, musical, athletic)
• Interesting hobbies • Hardships you have had to overcome to get where you are • Ways you have served your community
However, be sure to balance all your attractive qualities with humility. Explain that you are “attracted to” or “interested in” a particular college or job for reasons you explain, but avoid assuming that you are “a good fit” — let the readers come to that decision by evaluating the character you’ve presented. 4. Make the conclusion matter. Note the strongest elements of “you” and remind your reader of those qualities — without just repeating yourself. Make them see how you will be a successful member of that community.
EXPERIENCEOCU Goldwater Scholar
Fullbright Scholar
Prestigious Arts & Sciences Scholarship winners this year
OCUCOMMUNITY 1768
undergrad
In-state Student Population
575
60%
Out-of state
40%
Ethnicity (total enrolled population)
61.9% White 6.3% Black
grad
3.3% American Indian 2.3% Asian
489 law
7% Hispanic Three in Ten
incoming freshmen graduated in the top 10% of their class
25.5
avg. freshmen ACT Score
19.2% other