How did majoring in English prepare you for your career?

When speaking of my skillset, I always first credit my training at VSU before telling people about my professional experience. I would not be where I am in my career if it wasn’t for the teaching I received while an English major. Specifically speaking, the journalism program at VSU did a tremendous job at preparing me for succeeding in the professional world. Dr. Pat Miller and Ted Geltner taught me how to be flexible in my skills and do more than the average reporter. They showed me how to hone in on my passion and better myself in my craft. Every time I find myself not knowing how to do something journalistically, I always think of Dr. Miller’s words: Be one inch taller than your peers. She did not mean this in the physical sense but rather in the sense of expanding one’s talent and knowing how to do more than the basics. So, in the instance I don’t know how to do something, I learn. Every skill I learn and grasp is another one I can add to my resume.

How has majoring in English enriched your life?

I’m glad I chose to be an English major and I’m proud to be an English graduate. Being an English major helped me to better pursue my passion of writing. The program taught me to read and write beyond words and focus on meaning and narratives, instead. The simplest word can make the biggest difference. VSU’s English program taught me that lesson. 

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

Be willing to listen. Be patient. Don’t expect overnight success. Find an adventure in your work. Be ethical. Be compassionate and write with integrity. Detach yourself from your work, sometimes, and don’t bring it home with you. For instance, if you’re a crime reporter who’s constantly writing from police reports or breaking the latest shooting where someone died, keep those details at work and don’t let them consume your mind. Yes, it’s someone’s reality but remember that it’s not yours so don’t let it be all that you think about. And above all, remember why you chose the field of journalism, especially on those hard days.