Writing, Rhetoric & Digital Studies

Using print and digital technologies to create, design, and produce texts now requires new ways of thinking about writing as a concept and practice. As an interdisciplinary examination and application of rhetoric and writing technologies, the Major in Writing, Rhetoric, and Digital Studies prepares students to read, analyze, and compose. These skills serve across academic, workplace, and public spheres. The interactive courses are designed to improve reading, critical thinking, argumentation, narrative, and problem-solving abilities. Students learn to evaluate the implications of print, digital, and social media compositions in both local and global contexts. As a result, students are able to navigate known, new, and emerging writing situations and media. Students learn how to be flexible composers who can apply rhetorical strategies and digital skills to their current environments, as well as adapt emerging technologies to new contexts.

Sample Occupations

Types of Employers

Preparing for your career in

Education: Volunteer with local community service programs, summer camps, and youth programs, etc. to gain experience working with students, gain leadership and teaching experience, obtain appropriate state certification for public school teaching, earn a master’s or doctorate degree for postsecondary teaching.

Writing: Find opportunities to tutor students in a writing center, write for campus publications or departmental newsletters and develop a portfolio, become familiar with the proposal writing and submission process involved in freelance writing, demonstrate patience and persistence in starting a career in creative writing, attend writers’ workshops to learn from professionals, develop strong clerical/administrative skills as many entry-level positions in book publishing are in administrative support roles (called editorial assistants).

Advertising/Public Relations: Gain knowledge of various media, contemporary tastes and trends, demonstrate talent, persistence, assertiveness, and enthusiasm, participate in sales and promotions for campus organizations or departments, complete an internship in a marketing or advertising firm, create a portfolio showing originality and imagination for creative positions, take electives in psychology to better understand decision-making and motivation theories.

Entertainer: Find entertainment opportunities to engage with the entertainment industry such as performances held in Robinson Hall. Network at mixer events, performances and art exhibitions to make contacts in the industry. Develop your portfolio of interesting projects that you have completed to showcase your work.

Business: Get part-time work or an internship in an office or corporate setting, take electives in business, secure leadership roles in student organizations, serve as treasurer or financial officer of campus organization.

How do I know if its right for me?

ASSESS: Take a career assessment, such as PathwayU, to see how your interests, values, and personality fit with majors and careers.

RESEARCH: Research the careers on this WCIDWAMI and thousands of other careers using O*Net Online, The Occupational Outlook Handbook or FirstHand.

EXPLORE: Learn more about a career field of interest by job shadowing, attending a career panel, or participating in a Career Trek. Further your exploration while gaining valuable skills by completing an internship, co-op, volunteer, or research experience.