Graduate Student Resources
Professional Development
Regardless of what career path they choose, professionals continue to develop their expertise throughout their careers, and M.A.E. students are encouraged to begin professionalizing when they begin the program.
Workshops
The program offers workshops on such issues as application processes for further graduate study and employment, the job search process and interviewing skills, how to write a curriculum vitae (or CV), and conference and article submission. Topics vary based on the needs of students. Workshops are also organized through SEGS (the Society of English Graduate Students).
Academic Conferences
Attending and presenting research at conferences gives students the opportunity to engage in wider professional conversations, receive feedback on works in progress, and build contacts with scholars from all over the nation and world. Conference papers in literature are generally 8-10 pages in length and ideally present new readings or perspectives on literary works. Many conferences are themed, and some conferences are intended specifically for graduate students.
The Modern Language Association (MLA) conducts the largest and most prestigious annual conference in the country, and each region of the U.S. has an MLA division and holds smaller conferences as well.
While scholars can present their work at any regional MLA, students in the southeast should especially consider attending SAMLA.
Additionally, there are numerous organizations serving scholars in particular sub-fields, and most of them have national or international conferences. The University of Pennsylvania maintains a website listing calls for conference papers, panels, and journals organized by topic.
Society of English Graduate Students
Mission
The Society of English Graduate Students (SEGS) of Clemson University is an academic and social organization that aims to accomplish the following goals:
- to enhance communication and social interaction among English graduate students and faculty;
- to promote social interaction among graduate students outside the academic sphere;
- to promote the professional development of graduate students;
- to provide a voice for the graduate students within student government.
Leadership
SEGS is organized and run by current graduate students and overseen loosely by the program director. SEGS has two seats in Clemson’s Graduate Student Senate.
Typical Events
SEGS traditionally offers a balance of academic and social activities over the course of a semester, including workshops on professional development and oral exams, fundraising lunches, and social gatherings. A typical semester might go like this:
- August: SEGS Welcome to Clemson Party
- September: Orals Workshops
Fundraising Lunch - October: Workshop (in conjunction with program director) Halloween (Bowling) Party
- December: Christmas Party
SEGS hosts regular organizational meetings to allow student input and plan future events and study sessions.
