How did majoring in English prepare you for your career?

I always knew I was going to pursue writing in some capacity. When I started my English degree at VSU, I was afforded the chance to pull influence from journalism, literature, and general rhetoric and analysis. I learned how professionals and people communicate and digest information across various industries, which emboldened me to take those skills and them wherever I can. While working for The Spectator, I got the chance to dabble in everything from design to outreach and engagement. Since graduating, I moved out to the Seattle area where I have worked across different teams in the Xbox organization of Microsoft. Because of my formative training, I have stood up communications platforms (such as community blogs), managed team branding, developed content strategies and social media engagement, and learned how to communicate the technical and consumer-end of Xbox products and services in dynamic and creative ways. From copyediting to social media, everything I learned from the journalism track of the English department prepared me for my eventual work as a communications specialist at Xbox, and I can't wait to see what's next for me! 

How has majoring in English enriched your life?

The English department of VSU is a healthy balance of literature and general focus, with open opportunities to find the emphasis that works best for you. There's this old adage that an English degree isn't guaranteed to pay off, but I think that couldn't be further from the truth. Having the skills to understand a language in its various forms will only ever empower students and professionals. You don't have to pursue teaching, journalism, or even scholarly work for your degree to show its weight. I was granted the opportunity to write full theses on my favorite fairy tales, explore rhetoric and linguistics through poetry and prose, and get hands-on experience with various on-campus publications. Communicating is a life skill, and majoring in English gave me the confidence to pursue what I love while creatively enhancing the work of the teams I've joined thus far in my professional career.  

What advice or insight do you have for VSU alumni and students interested in your career field?

Keep your options open. I think it's easy for prospective and undergraduate students to feel as though they have to declare a career long before it's started. Having a goal is completely natural, but it's important to avoid saying, "I would never do that." You never know what opportunities you'll find after college. Degrees are about the experience not the defined job opportunities. The work I have done has exceeded far beyond what I originally thought I would do. Some of the work I've taken on I thought was reserved for other specialized degrees. Knowing how to communicate to a variety of audiences not only makes you a stronger writer and editor, but it allows you to take those skills and expand your work. My time at Xbox hasn't always been communications-focused, but everything I have done in my career thus far has been because of the skills I gained while at VSU. Take full advantage of every course and the expertise of your professors and peers. When you do get out in the real world, don't let your degree's traditional routes limit you in where you look for opportunities. Find somewhere that excites you, if you can. Your skills and experience will be what secures you as an invaluable part of any company or team.