Major in English at FRC!

FRC allowed me the opportunity to get one on one instruction with my professors and has helped me hone skills I will need to pursue a career in English. The English department has helped me become a part of the campus community and in each class my teachers have been supportive and helped me grow as a scholar in my field. I have made lasting friendships with like-minded individuals from my major and am so happy I attended this school as my first step into higher education.

Angelina Wilson, English Graduate & UC Berkeley Transfer

Students have a variety of choices for studying in English and Humanities. In addition to low tuition and a small college environment, students who take English at FRC will also be able to take advantage of several additional opportunities. Our highly trained faculty bring a number of areas of expertise and personal interest to the classroom, such as literature of the west, social justice, and familiarity with the heritage of English language literature. Another opportunity is to be a part of an active social and intellectual community, where students and faculty can share ideas and plan future educational projects.

Students who are part of the English department also participate in the following areas:

Leadership Roles, Awards, and Tutoring Positions: English majors regularly find positions in student leadership on campus. They are also first in line for valuable campus employment opportunities as tutors in the classroom and at the Instructional Resource Center. Finally, the Department sponsors student achievement awards each Spring!

Hands-on Mentoring: You have access! English majors have unique mentoring opportunities with English faculty. Many students schedule regular meetings to discuss long-range goals, transfer plans, and writing projects.

Clubs: English Department faculty act as advisors for Eagle Pride, FRC’s Gay-Straight Alliance, as well as River Writers, which is FRC's on-campus English and creative writing club.

Student Research Symposium: We sponsor the campus-wide Student Research Symposium each semester, offering students the opportunity to present their original ideas as a way to professionalize their liberal arts education.  

First Year Experience: Freshman Composition is the cornerstone for linking instruction and Student Support Services to create a sense of community on campus and to provide structured support for student success.

Book-in-Common: The English Department fuels the annual Book in Common initiative, connecting campus and the surrounding communities through a shared reading, usually a novel, creative nonfiction, or research-based reportage.

Literary Journal: The English Department's literary journal, Cambium, features the writing of FRC students. Students also have an opportunity serve on the staff of the journal in editorial and design roles.  

Department Brown Bags and Gatherings: English Majors participate in Brown Bag discussion groups with faculty members and visiting scholars. The Department also hosts gatherings of the Majors once each semester, where we talk about our projects, goals, and achievements.

Students who study English learn many transferrable and professional skills. According to Forbes, communication, which is a vital and central aspect of English curriculum at FRC, is the number one soft skill valued by employers. We live in an age dominated by presenting and managing information, and English majors are experts at understanding information. Skills developed in the major include:

• Research and information gathering
• Analysis and interpretation of information
• strategic and analytical reading
• Oral and written communication
• Presentation of complex ideas
• Argumentation and persuasion
• Creative Development
• Critical thinking
• Soft skills used in business environments

Top jobs for English Majors

• Advertising Manager $127,500
• Lawyer $118,160
• Public Relations Manager$108,320
• Technical Writer $69,850
• Content Writer $61,240
• Executive Assistant $61,000
• Social Media Manager $60,000
• Teacher $58,030
• Public Relations $58,020
• Librarian $57,680
• Editor $57,210
• Human Resource Specialist $55,000
• Journalist $52,000
• Paralegal $49,500
• Blogger and podcast creator
• Entertainment industry

Transferring to a 4-year school

Transferring to a 4-year school or university can provide many choices and pathways. University English departments offer degrees in areas like English and education, teacher training and certification, digital media and cinema, English and technology, and creative writing. Talk to your FRC English instructor to find out more!