Willamette, Salem, and Oregon offer abundant opportunities outside of the classroom for English majors to learn, gain work experience, give back to their communities, and participate in the diverse cultures of literature and writing in today’s world.
From WU’s Writing Center to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, there’s something on campus, in the state capital, or around the Beaver State for everyone. Start getting involved today!
Note: Some organizations may not have a website. For the most up-to-date information on all student organizations, visit the Student Engagement & Leadership site.
On-Campus Opportunities
Meet with Career Services to discuss and find guidance regarding internship opportunities, graduate school plans, employment possibilities, resume development, and more.
Chemawa Indian School Partnership Program
Become a tutor and mentor for students while learning about contemporary issues within Indian Country and helping to deepen WU's relationship with Chemawa Indian School.
The Chrysalis
Submit your creative work for publication in WU’s student-run literary journal, or join the magazine’s staff to gain experience in editing and publishing.
Help write, edit, and publish WU’s student-run weekly newspaper.
Interested in studying abroad for a summer, semester, or year? Check out your options through the Matthews Center for Intercultural Learning.
Mama Ain’t Raised No Fool
Contribute poetry, fiction, creative non-fiction, genre-bending work, art, and other edgy material to WU’s campus ’zine.
Take part in developing events, exhibitions, open houses, field trips, and other activities in partnership with the Hallie Ford Museum of Art.
Reach out to inmates at the Oregon State Penitentiary and other local correctional facilities to help provide opportunities to write and publish poetry.
Songwriting and Performance Club
Get involved with the campus music scene, share and workshop your lyrics, collaborate with musicians, and help provide opportunities for community performances.
Student Academic Grants and Awards
Find funding and other forms of support to help you pursue your writing or research.
Tokyo International University of America
Take advantage of WU’s unique relationship with TIU to meet, live, learn, and take part in tutoring and other programs with Japanese students in the American Studies Program.
Help reach out to youth from historically underrepresented communities via year-round workshops, tutoring, academic mentor meetings, and an annual summer academic camp.
Take part in developing and broadcasting music, talk shows, and other forms of on-air entertainment via WU’s student-run radio station.
Writers @ Work
In addition to bringing published writers to read on campus each semester, the Hallie Ford Literary series also schedules opportunities for small workshops and dinners with visiting writers. Check your email for upcoming events!
Help foster WU’s writing culture by becoming a trained writing consultant and working one-on-one with other students.
Off-Campus Opportunities
Take part in Salem’s local writing community by volunteering at, submitting your work to, and attending events sponsored by Salem’s annual literary magazine.
Attend the annual Fisher Poets Gathering held each winter in Astoria, just a two and a half hour drive away.
Northwest Undergraduate Conference on Literature
Present, listen to, and discuss creative and academic work with students at other universities via this annual conference run out of the University of Portland.
Plan a road trip to Ashland (3-4 hours away) to take in any of the eleven plays performed each year on the Festival’s three stages.
Volunteer at, find employment with, attend programs sponsored by, do research in, and help provide materials to blind and print-disabled Oregonians via the Oregon State Library located just a few blocks off campus.
Located less than a mile from campus, the Salem Public Library offers a range of volunteer opportunities, special events, literary discussion groups, and more.
Silverton Poetry Festival
Just fifteen miles east of Salem, you can get involved with the Silverton Poetry Association, which sponsors year-round readings and events as well as a Spring poetry festival.
Head up to Portland to attend the largest celebration of literature and literacy in the Northwest where you can meet and listen to authors and make connections with small presses, independent publishers, non-profits, independent booksellers.