175 Piedmont Avenue

Atlanta, GA 30303
February 14, 2013

Future Panther
1057 Burke Veterans Pkwy
Waynesboro, GA 30830
Dear Future Panther:
Congratulations on your work at Burke County High School. My name is Johnnae Roberts and I
am a sophomore at Georgia State University. I am majoring in English with a concentration in
Advanced Composition and Rhetoric. Ms. Cochran told me that you were also interested in
coming to GSU and majoring in my area of study. There are so many wonderful things to say
about the English department, and in this letter I will address each of your concerns.
The English program here is excellent. There are four concentrations: Literary Studies, Creative
Writing, Rhetoric and Composition, and Secondary English. Each program is different and will
allow you to work in the field you truly desire. I chose my concentration, Advanced Composition
and Rhetoric, because my dream is to publish novels and possibly edit at a well-known
publishing house when I graduate. It was important for me to speak with my professors and
many other undergraduate English majors to make sure I was in the right program.
When I started at GSU, I wish I had someone teach me the importance of time management. As
an English major, you will have papers to write weekly, and it is your responsibility to get them
done. From my personal experiences, I have always procrastinated on essays, and because of this
I never got the grade I wanted. Since then, I have begun to start working on projects and long
papers early by gathering information, and I know this method will help you tremendously. You
wont feel stressed and you will always be prepared. It is also crucial to read the materials
needed before class so you will understand the lecture.
I am currently taking three English classes: Business Writing, British Literature, and an
internship class. Taking two or three of your major classes will help you because toward the end
of your time at Georgia State you wont be in all English classes. You will have a little room to
breathe, and that will make your college experience even better. I also suggest making
connections with your professors, especially if youre interested in such a difficult field to get
into like publishing.
Experience in an area such as publication is imperative. An internship will give you experience
and make you more marketable. I am currently working with a magazine called Under 30
Following the Vision. This has shown me where I need to refine my writing skills and work with
managing time. I have been given deadlines, as well the chance to use my research skills to write

about the candidates in the magazine and everything must be done in a timely fashion. Because
of this internship, I have been able to gain useful tools that will help me in any work place.
My experience at GSU would not be complete without the organizations here. I am apart of
multiple groups and you should join some because they will teach the importance of teamwork
and your purpose. I am involved with are Softer Touch to volunteer and mentor, Collegiate
Entrepreneurs Organization, designed to help me think creatively and efficiently, and National
Council of Negro Women, created to give African American women encouragement and help
them succeed, and the GSU Marching Band, which taught me the art of dedication. Any group
you join will assist in bringing out your personality and things you find enjoyment in doing. I am
gaining the communication skills needed to work in my future profession. It is my goal to be
proficient and excel in any job in the publishing field and I will do that with teamwork and
persistence.
Applying yourself in the workplace and on interviews is something I strongly suggest. I am
currently a Student Assistant (SA) in housing at GSU and I had to take the initiative to get the
job. I am also pursuing other jobs on campus as well as summer jobs. The biggest thing for you
to remember is: to be successful you must work for it. Your name is your brand. That is why I
want to plant myself firmly on GSU campus and get the full college experience. Being able to
work hard and get work experience is important because companies want to know you are
capable of handling yourself in the workplace. I am confident by working, I will be able to learn
more of the technical aspects of a job and therefore be efficient in my area.
I would once again like to congratulate you on deciding what school you want to attend and for
finding your area of interest. For many students they struggle with this but deciding early on
means you have a bright undergraduate career ahead. English majors have expensive books to
buy and a strenuous workload, but the joy you have for it will make it all worthwhile. I am just
getting into my major classes but with each complaint I remember why I love it and why I will
continue to pursue my degree.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact me at jroberts54@student.gsu.edu. I will answer
questions and help in any way I can.
Johnnae Roberts