Department of English

Allen Brown (BA ’85)

“I began my career as a high school English teacher, but I abandoned that career choice and have spent 33 years with Marriott, the last 20 of which I’ve spent working in various roles with Bridges from School to Work, a philanthropic initiative of the Marriott family. My current title is Director of Grants, a fancy title for a writer of grants, proposals, reports, and external-facing marketing collateral – amongst other things. I live in Atlanta but have had two stints working at Marriott headquarters in Bethesda, MD over my 33-year career. I’ve found that the analytical ability instilled in me as an English major, as well as the skills that English literature studies cultivated in me for highly detailed work, have served me well in my career. There are not enough qualified grant writers for all the openings in the labor market. English majors interested in rhetoric, as well as Classical Studies majors (and other writing-intensive majors) should know about the potential for careers in grant and proposal writing in both the public and private sector (not to mention writing grants for academic research). I would never have considered such a career when I was at UNCG – especially as a first-generation college student. I stumbled upon it and found that I had a knack for it – at least to some extent. I’m certainly no genius when it comes to grant writing. Grant writing would be especially ideal for an accomplished graduate student or for graduates of the master’s degree in English with a concentration in rhetoric/composition. UNCG has always has a strong English Department, and I’m proud to be an alumnus of it.”