English Undergraduates: Writing Specialization

We have contacts with a number of offices on campus as well as publishers, businesses that have technical writing divisions, and presses that are willing to help train interns who might be interested in entering this job market. The idea is to get experience in a real-world, business environment and learn the practical skills necessary to succeed in jobs related to writing while earning credit from the university. We offer a Cooperative Education (Eng. 490) course with a variable credit option; although you can take up to 12 credits in this class, only 2 actually count toward the major. The following are only a few of the internships available; we also encourage students to find internships in places that you might like to work. For advice about setting up an internship, email Joseph Powell in the English Department at Central at Powellj@cwu.edu. We will have to work out the details of the service learning agreement and criteria for credit.

Coffey Communications, Inc., Internship Program: “Coffey Communications, Inc. is a leader in custom health information publishing. Through our publishing partnerships with hundreds of health care providers, we produce traditional print and web driven communication tools that reach into millions of American households annually. Our continuing commitment to provide exceptional journalism, distinctive design and superior service to our clients is as unwavering as our desire to enrich people's lives with quality health information. We hire collaborative, creative people who have a passion for creating high-quality products for our clients. We are located in beautiful Walla Walla, Washington.” Internships are paid positions.

The Washington Center (TWC): “Now in its 30th year, The Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars (TWC) is an educational nonprofit organization serving hundreds of colleges and universities in the U.S. and other countries by providing selected students challenging opportunities to work and learn in Washington, D.C. for academic credit. The Largest such program, TWC has over 33,000 alumni, many of whom are leaders in numerous professions and nations around the world.” See http://www.twc.edu/about_TWC.shtml for further information.

A HopeSource liaison at the Civic Engagement Center on Central’s campus. Maren Disney, one of our major who recently completed this internship, said “My main task was to recruit volunteers. I did this by e-mailing faculty and students, posting flyers, and utilizing any medium I could. I also had to address the needs of the organization, then create and post position descriptions on the CEC website and student intranet. I also helped organize fundraisers and large volunteer projects to serve the organization…Ultimately, the experience helped me gain business and communications skills, in addition to writing and editing skills… It helped me realize that the major I’ve chosen can be utilized in any setting and that the skills I’m gaining are extremely important and useful.”

Left Coast Press: “Left Coast Press, Inc. is a small scholarly publisher focusing on the fields of anthropology, archaeology, cultural resource management, museum studies, environmental studies, sociology, and qualitative research methodologies. Staff positions are organized in an integrated way so that employees follow projects through their life cycle. This structure allows interns to get a more holistic sense of the publishing industry and the full range of skills and opportunities it offers. Left Coast Press provides internship opportunities to students interested in exploring a career in academic publishing. Internships are part time, unpaid, and last a minimum of 3 months and a maximum of 6 months.”

Lost Horse Press: “A nonprofit independent press committed to publishing poetry, fiction and creative nonfiction titles of high literary merit, Lost Horse Press makes available fine contemporary Northwest literature through cultural, educational and publishing programs and activities. The Lost Horse Northwest Poetry Series for Emerging Writers is dedicated to works---often ignored by conglomerate publishers---which are so much in danger of vanishing into obscurity in what has become the age of chain stores and mass appeal food, movies, books and art.” These internships are with a small fine arts press in Sandpoint, Idaho, and students would have a wide range of experience with this publication. Internships are part time, unpaid, and last a minimum of 3 months and a maximum of 6 months