Mentoring & Advising

What Is It and How Do I Get Assigned?

The English Department begins advising majors in the department when they reach 60 hours. To join the department and to be assigned to an English Department advisor, students should contact the departmental Administrative Coordinator, Dr. Jim Kallerman, at jkallerm@uga.edu. 

Before registering for classes, a student meets first with her academic advisor to discuss what courses she still needs to satisfy graduation requirements. Then, the student meets with her faculty mentor to ask the less tangible, “big picture” questions about studying English.

What Does My Academic Advisor Do?

Your academic advisor is a professional who is trained in the details of all graduation requirements: departmental, college-wide, and university-wide. Your academic advisor ensures that the courses you want to take will move you toward your graduation. Advisors also know a good deal about electives that might be useful for an English major with your particular interests. They are knowledgeable about how paper and information flow throughout the University, so they are your best resource for getting answers to any questions you have related to your degree program.

To make an advising appointment, go to https://sage.uga.edu/.

Why Do I Need a Mentor?

The purpose of the mentoring program is to promote contact between undergraduates and faculty members. For the student, the mentoring program is an opportunity to get to know, and to make yourself known to, at least one faculty member during the course of your studies in this department. This is important, since your mentor will not only offer useful advice about the English Department while you are here, but also can become a fruitful source of recommendation letters after you graduate. Most important, however, your relationship with your mentor has the potential to enrich your experience in the English Department by putting you in touch with someone who shares your passion for literature and learning.

What Do I Talk To My Mentor About?

Before meeting with your mentor for the first time, take a few moments to read his or her bio in the departmental directory. This will tell you a good deal about that person's research interests and professional activities. Many faculty members also have websites linked from their directory pages that will reveal even more about their interests.

At your meeting, begin by telling your mentor about yourself. Why did you choose an English major? What are your favorite books? What are your other interests? Mentors are also rich sources of information about the Department: which courses are being offered next term, which faculty members share some of your interests, what sequences of courses might be fruitful in light of your interests.

If you spend some time reviewing course offerings for the upcoming term before your meeting, you will be able to ask questions about particular courses and the people who teach them. Mentors can also answer questions about graduate school and make recommendations about courses to take in preparation for various graduate degree programs. They can also offer advice about how to turn a strong undergraduate project into a larger research project.