English Major Spotlight: Shannon Hofer-Pottala
Year: senior
Hometown: Sioux Falls, SD
Why did you choose to major in English?
Like many college students, I changed my major partway through my college career. As a freshman, I wanted to go to law school, and my intended major was sociology of law, criminology, and justice. This became a minor after a quarter-life crisis in which I discovered that although I find sociology undoubtedly relevant and fascinating, I do not find it particularly enjoyable as a long-term career path. It did not make me happy. Thinking about what I do find enjoyable (writing, reading, editing), I realized that I wanted to be an English major.
Are you pursuing any majors, minors, internships, or interests outside your English major? How do you feel they enhance your study of English and/or your career plans?
I’ve been fortunate to pursue several opportunities outside of my English major during my time at the U. I have two minors: one is in creative writing, which has been a fantastic way for me to write and read incredible work, and one is in sociology of law, criminology, and justice, which reshaped my understanding of the systems that make a society function as it does. I’m also a member of the University Honors Program and the Phi Beta Kappa honor society.
Outside of academics, I’ve completed publishing internships with Beaver’s Pond Press and Queen of Swords Press; currently, I’m working an editing internship with Queen of Swords Press. I've volunteered with Reading Partners for nearly four years, teaching reading comprehension and literary analysis to underprivileged youth in the Twin Cities area. I've also published some of my short stories in a collection titled The Drawing Board. Last year, I was a member of the Basic Needs Task Force with the Minnesota Student Association. This year, I'm the Treasurer of the Fellowship of Undergraduate Students in English. English is an incredibly versatile major, and I’ve had a great experience exploring different career paths and opportunities as a result.
What is a favorite book you read for an English class?
The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath comes to mind immediately. It’s the type of book that drew me in instantly and made me think about it long after I closed the cover. More recently, I read The Latehomecomer by Kao Kalia Yang (although that was technically for an EngW class, rather than an EngL class). The Latehomecomer made me sob; I absolutely recommend it.
What English course would you recommend for majors? For non-majors who want to take an English class?
To English majors, I would recommend taking "Survey of American Literature II." It was fascinating to analyze recurring themes in American literature (hint: God and industrialization).
To non-majors, I would recommend taking a niche class that fits their specific interests. I’ve taken "Children’s Literature," "Knights and Pilgrims in Medieval Literature," and a publishing class; find something you want to learn more about and do it.
What is your favorite place to study on campus?
My absolute favorite place to study on campus is lying on a blanket in the mall on a warm day. In the winter, I like to study on the window ledges in the upper floors of the Union that overlook the fountain.
