Internship Opportunity: Financial Publishing

ABF Journal, a print publication geared towards the asset-based finance industry, is looking for some student interns to assist with editing and proofreading. Nadine Bonner, the editor of the journal, says that if the students show potential, she is also willing to give them writing assignments. She is looking for two interns who would be available four to six hours a week. These positions would be of special interest to English majors looking towards a career in publishing. The journal's offices are on Conestoga Ave in Rosemont.

You can see samples of the magazines the company publishes here and here. In addition to the print magazines, ABF Journal two daily e-news letters with items of interest to our readers.

To apply for the position or to find out more information, contact Nadine Bonner at nadine.bonner@abfjournal.com.

Center for Irish Studies Awarded Two Grants Worth $135,000 for Digitization Project

Congratulations to Villanova's Center for Irish Studies, which has been awarded two grants worth a total of $135,000 for its Digitization Project! The awards -- $125,000 from the Gladys Brooks Foundation and a further $10,000 from the Gladys Krieble Delmas Foundation -- will enable Irish Studies to establish an endowment for acquiring and digitizing Irish Studies archival materials, helping to transform Falvey Library into the first global hub of Irish Studies digital materials to be made freely available to the public. 

Dr. Joseph Lennon, professor of English and associate dean of International and Interdisciplinary Initiatives, welcomed the news: "We are excited and grateful to the foundations for these awards, which will allow us to further archive and digitize materials of regional Irish-American organizations. These include the Terence MacSwiney Club in Jenkintown, named in honor of the poet, playwright and Lord Mayor of Cork who died on hunger strike in Brixton prison in 1920, and whose centenary we mark next year. The materials of this nationalist club shed light on the history and culture of such organizations through their documents and make Villanova a digital hub.

"I'm especially pleased that, unlike other university special collections, all of our digitized materials are freely available to researchers, students, and interested people with an internet connection. This grant will keep it free and help us offer an annual event about our Irish collections, literary and historical!"

Study at the T. S. Eliot International Summer School in London

Villanova students—consider spending a fantastic week in London at the T. S. Eliot International Summer School this summer! Famed British novelist, Ian McEwan will be giving the opening lecture and Villanova English's own Dr. Megan Quigley will be giving another! 

Dr Quigley says: "It’s a really amazing way to learn about Eliot’s works and life and his relevance in 2020. I’ve had fantastic seminars there with a mix of graduate and undergraduate students and just those interested in Eliot’s poetry, all learning in an immersive & exciting environment."

For more information and to register, see here. Registration for the school (July 4-12, 2020) is now open. Seats are limited and allotted on a first-come first-serve basis, as are some full and partial-tuition scholarships, so you are encouraged to apply early. You can also follow the school on Facebook, Instagram (tseliot_school), and Twitter (TSEliotSchool) for regular updates.

Dr. Quigley also encourages you to email her if you have any questions (megan.quigley@villanova.edu).

Villanova Alums Discuss Careers in Publishing

What does a career in publishing look like? How does someone interested in jobs or internships in publishing get started? 

On Monday night, a packed room gathered to hear four, high-powered Villanova alumni answer these and other questions at an event organized by the English department, Communications, the Writing and Rhetoric Program and the Creative Writing Program. Cece Ryan, Publisher of People magazine and Senior VP at Meredith Corporation underscored that there are lots of different kinds of publishing (hint: it’s not all about books). According to Ryan, finding fulfilling work after Villanova should be an exhilarating process. Villanova students can feel both proud and prepared to meet their futures.

Gary Urda, senior vice-president for sales at Simon & Schuster, reminded the audience that publishing is a $26bn a year industry on the cutting edge of art and culture. Given the size of the industry, what percentage of jobs in this field are editorial? At Simon & Schuster, Urda estimated about 10 per cent. He then discussed the dynamic role that people with business, marketing, advertising, design, and legal backgrounds play in the publishing industry.

Bob Bender, VP and executive editor at Simon & Schuster, edits nonfiction and biography, including the bestselling Failure Is Not an Option, by Gene Kranz. When asked about the future of publishing and books, Bender said that the format changes, but the written word, and publishing, are here to stay. Bender was one of two English majors on the panel, though each of the panelists talked about how a love of books, reading, and curiosity are good skills for all publishing professionals to have.

Kelly Moran, a 2019 graduate and the other Villanova English major on the panel, landed her first internship in a literary agency while a student at Villanova. While the agency internship was a good experience, it helped her to see that editing might not be the best fit for her interests. Moran went on to complete a range of internships in New York and London, which ultimately led to her current position as a publicity assistant at St. Martin’s/Macmillan.

To launch a career in publishing, all of the panelists remarked on the importance of networking and building strong relationships. After a lively Q & A, students had a chance to mingle with the panelists and put these ideas into action. LinkedIn and Nova Network are good ways to connect with other alumni and professionals outside of these career events. In the meantime, the success of the evening was a reminder that publishing matters.  

Job Opportunity: Medical Writer at University of Pennsylvania Department of Ophthalmology

The Department of Ophthalmology at the University of Pennsylvania is looking to hire a medical writer, ideally a recent graduate or December graduate, who could start in January 2020.

Responsibilities:

• Prepare presentations for Chairman of Ophthalmology Department at University of Pennsylvania on a variety of topics, such as ocular cancers or increasing representation of women in medicine.
• Write and edit letters of recommendation, speeches, and other official documents for Ophthalmology Department, including the Executive Summary.
• Write original articles for bi-annual Scheie Vision magazine, including brainstorming, interviewing, editing, and contributing to design.
• Create online newsletter to communicate news and relevant information to alumni, donors, referring physicians, and others.
• Undertake responsibility for all internal Departmental communication, including sending monthly news emails to faculty and staff and editing all Departmental emails/communication materials.
• Serve as Project Manager for the Chairman as a Section Editor of Principles and Practices of Ophthalmology.
• Assist with drafting and submission of grant and faculty award applications for Ophthalmology Department.
• Contribute to writing manuscripts for research studies and developing the research mission of the Department.

Qualifications:

• The applicant must have a Bachelor’s degree; demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills; be highly organized; and possess strong ambition, interpersonal skills, and the ability to multitask.

If you are interested in applying, please send a resume, cover letter, and writing sample to Rebecca Salowe at Rebecca.salowe@pennmedicine.upenn.edu. 

Alliance for Catholic Education (ACE) Teaching Fellows - November 19-20

The University of Notre Dame is coming to campus looking for talented, bright, and "faith-filled" students in all majors/minors who are interested in the Alliance for Catholic Education (ACE) Teaching Fellows Program. These students become full-time teachers in under-resourced Catholic schools and also full-time graduate students at Notre Dame, earning a cost-free Master of Education degree.

Catherine Wagner, ACE's associate program director for ACE, says: "Develop your spirituality, live in community, attend class at Notre Dame during the summer, meet new people, and grow like never before. We're looking for the tenacious, resilient, and hard-working young people who are up to the challenges of teaching. Are you one of those people or do you know someone who is? Don't hesitate to reach out -- we'd love to learn more about you!"

You can learn more about Notre Dame's Alliance for Catholic Education (ACE) Teaching Fellows program at the Post-Grad Fair on Tuesday, November 19th from 5:00-7:00pm.

Contact: Catherine Wagner (cwagne10@nd.edu) with any questions or click here to schedule a one-on-one meeting for Wednesday, November 20th.

Below are some of the Villanova alums who went on to become ACE teaching fellows!