Class of 2017
- Bachelor of Arts in English from Penn State Altoona
- Master of Science in Marketing, Communications, and New Media from Southern New Hampshire University
What do you currently do professionally?
I currently work at our local newspaper, the Morrisons Cove Herald, as the Business Development Representative, handling all advertising and marketing responsibilities.
How has majoring in English helped you on your career pathway(s)?
After graduating, I was equipped with the knowledge of eloquence needed to navigate myself through the corporate sphere until I was able to find something privately-owned and more flexible. While I was working on my Master's degree, my background in writing aided me through countless papers and presentations, making completion a breeze. In the next few years, I plan on using my liberal arts background as a foundation for working on a doctorate in a therapy-based degree.
What knowledge and skills help you succeed in your job on a daily basis (and, possibly, in unanticipated ways)?
Through writing and a lot of speaking, I am confident when conversing with new clients. In my personal life, I love being able to share my passion for story creation and imagination with my son and daughter.
In what (unanticipated) ways has the English major impacted your life beyond your profession?
I've had the opportunity to connect with others who have obtained an English degree and who find themselves in unconventional positions based on their degree. What I have learned is that graduates with English degrees are some of the most flexible and adaptable professionals I have met. Being able to adjust my professional future and not have it be dependent on my degree is very comforting in a way.
What is your favorite experience from your time in the English program?
The three semesters I was able to take Fiction Writing with Steve Sherrill is something I will tell my kids about in the future and with a lot of fondness. Being able to push myself creatively and seeing what others were able to create within the same parameters is always such an interesting and cool experience.
What advice do you have for current English majors or students considering entry into the field in which you’re currently working?
For current English majors, don't be disheartened by the many, many times people will ask you if you're planning on teaching after graduation. Stick with what you're passionate about and success will follow.
Is there anything else you would like current Penn State Altoona students (of all majors) to know?
Failure is not final. Things will not get easier, but you will become better equipped to handle them.
February 2023