Graduating Senior Spotlight: Max Pritchard

What brought you to the University of Minnesota and how did you end up choosing your major and minor?

I first came to the University for an entirely different major, but I’ve loved storytelling from a very young age and I really enjoyed the creative writing courses I dabbled in during my second semester. I realized it was important to me to study something I truly cared a lot about. I knew I wanted to pursue creative writing after graduation, and felt that I should give myself the best chance that I could at succeeding! 

What course would you recommend for other students in your major? And for students outside of your major, what course would be a good introduction to what you study?

I've been lucky enough to learn from incredible writers like Aamina Ahmad, Megan Giddings, and V.V. Ganeshananthan; I'd recommend taking any classes led by the creative writing faculty! I've had so many incredible classes, it's hard to pick a single favorite. ENGW 3111W - Science Fiction and Fantasy Writing was really nice as a writer of genre fiction. More niche courses like that can allow for really satisfying deep dives into the tropes, structures, and impacts of a genre. 

For students outside of the major, I think the introductory creative writing classes are an excellent starting point - in my experience they're very generative, so you'll produce a lot of material that you can take into future classes and projects.

What has been your favorite part of your experience with your department and within your major and minor?

My favorite part has undoubtedly been the people. I've had the delightful experience of learning from so many brilliant, kind, and insightful instructors. Department of English faculty are, in my experience, very approachable and more than happy to share their expertise. My visits to office hours have been some of the highlights of my college experience, and I can't recommend attending office hours enough. I've also met so many friends, so many brilliant writers, and so many awe-inspiring classmates through the department. It's a truly wonderful place to learn.

What are some ways you have found community within your major/minor department? 

If you have the time, student groups can be a great way to find community! As a sophomore I founded the UMN Creative Writing Club, which introduced me to and helped me spend more time with a whole host of wonderful writers. I'd also recommend going to department events; so many brilliant writers are featured in reading events each year, and I find these to be not only immensely inspiring and informative but also a great way to run into classmates and friends!

Which of the core career competencies do you think will help you the most in your future career?

Again, it’s hard to rank them; I hope I’ll use all of them! There are some competencies that the English department focuses heavily on, such as Analytical & Critical Thinking and Oral & Written Communication, and I feel as though I’ve grown a lot in those areas. I appreciate how, over the course of the degree, I have been encouraged to hone these skills outside the confines of literary texts. Especially in courses such as the community-engaged learning classes taught by Eric Daigre and Melissa Licht, I’ve seen how fiction and nonfiction writing alike can address complex sociopolitical issues, all while developing Community Engagement and Engaging Diversity skills that help students better engage with communities and social issues respectfully and thoughtfully.