Who are Communication Fellows?

Communication Fellows are SEAS undergraduates and master's students who are employed to aid in the development of effective writing and skills among undergraduates in all SEAS departments. Communication Fellows form an important part of the Engineering Information and Communication Program (EIC).

What do Fellows do?

Reporting to the EIC Director, Fellows work with specific engineering undergraduate classes that are designated as "writing intensive" across all SEAS academic departments. Tasks might include preparation of writing guidelines; advising students as they write reports, proposals, position papers and the like; and providing written feedback to students on drafts of assignments for their classes.  Fellows will work with up to 20 students in a class, for around 10 hours per week.

What is the pay?

A $1,500 stipend is provided for term of service (one semester). 
Fellowships are renewable at the discretion of the EIC Director and dependent on the satisfactory completion of duties.


What are the steps to becoming a Fellow?

• Undergraduate applicants must have completed their Freshman Writing Seminar requirement before applying to be a Fellow.
• Applicants submit written materials which demonstrate their ability to write clearly and concisely, and which indicate an interest in helping others communicate clearly. (see To apply).
• Prospective applicants are interviewed so that their ability to mentor others can be further evaluated.
• Students selected to be Fellows must enroll in (or must have taken) EAS 400/500, "Technical Communication in Engineering Practice." This 1.0 CU course is offered each semester. In the course, trainees gain proficiency in both written and oral technical communication, as well as in mentoring fellow SEAS students in those skills. The course counts towards satisfying the TBS requirement for undergraduates. Candidates must earn a grade of A- or better in order to attain the status of Engineering Communication Fellow.

To apply

Send the following via email to Mary Westervelt, EIC Director

1. Cover letter or cover e-mail message
2. Resume
3. One general writing sample of your choice, of no more than one page in length. If possible, submit a technical writing sample (e.g., from an engineering or business course).  Essays originally submitted with application materials to U Penn are not acceptable.

Contact information

Address:

Ms. Mary A. Westervelt
Director, Engineering Information and Communication Program
Office of Academic Programs
School of Engineering and Applied Science
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA  19104

Office:              120B Hayden Hall
Telephone:     215.573.6486
E-mail:             mwester@seas.upenn.edu