Christine Wenc

What career pathway have you pursued since your time at UW?
Editing and writing, journalism, public history

What did you enjoy about the English major?
Reading good books, taking creative writing classes

Did your time in the English major provide any skillset that you find useful in your career? How do you find yourself reflecting on your time as an English major now that you are in a career?
I use my English major skills daily! I am currently a grant editor at the UW School of Education and was just hired as a managing editor for the Journal of School Psychology. I’ve had similar roles at Harvard and Brigham and Women’s Hospital. I’ve also been a freelance developmental editor for years. Now that AI-written materials are entering the picture, editorial skills (including fact-checking) seem to be getting more important than ever. I am also starting work on my next book (a hybrid creative nonfiction/medical technology history).

What advice would you offer the current English majors or those considering joining the major?
Do not let AI write your papers and stories for you. This defeats the entire purpose of writing which is to teach you to think and create a pathway into your personal thoughts and emotions.