Charlotte Blasier (2001): Children’s Librarian
As a children’s librarian, I use my English degree on a daily basis, for example, I exercise my writing skills when preparing press releases or book reviews. I enjoy helping young adults pick out “classics” for reading assignments and sharing with them some of my favorites. The creativity I utilized in various English classes I now apply to developing story times for young children or programs for school-age children. I employ critical thinking skills in maintaining a collection or creating reading guides for students.
Being a good writer means being a good communicator. I believe that my communication skills were among the main reasons I was hired as a children’s librarian. Whether it is communicating effectively with my coworkers about various projects or communicating with the public to determine their needs, a librarian must exhibit good communication. My knowledge of literature also enabled me to find my career. English majors, of course, love to read, so the library is like a utopia to them! My love for books was just another quality that made me perfect for my profession.
Sarah Gareau (2001, Behavioral Sciences Major, English Minor): Doctoral Candidate in Public Health, Promotion, and Behavior at the University of South Carolina
No matter where one’s path leads her, having a background in English will be very helpful. The courses I took for my English minor helped me develop the skills to read critically, communicate effectively, think analytically, and write clearly. These assets have been very valuable regarding my experience in the policy and non-profit sectors. Through my employment with the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Midlands, I assist the organization with funding by writing grant proposals, which requires the ability to understand the grant requirements and to write succinctly. Likewise, as a researcher for the South Carolina Educational policy Center, my English skills are useful in analyzing current policy research and survey results, writing literature briefs, and editing reports. More importantly, though, taking English courses helped prepare me for success in graduate school. I am now a doctoral candidate in public health at the University of South Carolina, and a day does not go by when I do not value the ability to quickly read and synthesize what I am reading. In addition, I have not been intimidated by the lengthy papers required in graduate school whereas other students found the extensive writing overwhelming. Soon I will defend my dissertation findings through presentations, posters, and manuscripts, and when I do, I will be reminded once again of the value of my English minor.
Eva Susnjar Hendricks (1994): Senior Brand Planner at a Cleveland-Based Advertising Agency
As a Senior Brand Planner at an advertising agency, my main responsibility is to translate all forms of knowledge (research data, journal articles, blog entries, or just word-of-mouth) into valuable nuggets of information for the other departments at the agency. For instance, I might find an interesting way to look at some market research data and turn it into a consumer insight for the creative team to use as the foundation for an ad; or, I could brainstorm with the media department to help them determine which consumers we need to communicate with and the best way to reach those consumers. Sometimes, I’m asked to help out on new business pitches where the team needs to determine the business challenge a client is facing and which marketing solution(s) will help him or her be successful. And finally, as the title brand planner implies, I need to look at ways to position my clients’ brands in the most unique and meaningful way in the marketplace.
My English degree from Ursuline has helped me in my career--and sometimes in surprising ways. Obviously, I’m writing everyday whether it’s simply an email or a more complex proposal/presentation. I gained a love of writing and the skills for successful writing from all the great English professors at Ursuline. There are also more subtle gifts from studying English, one of which is a love and appreciation of literature and culture. This is important in my position because very often, it is a cultural insight that becomes the catalyst for developing really creative and interesting advertising. And maybe the most important benefit from my English degree is just the ability to think critically and creatively in any situation. Not only did this ability help me achieve my position in advertising, but it is a critical skill that I use everyday to complete my work.
Amanda Horan (2004): Coordinator, Classified Sales Department, Scene Magazine, Cleveland, OH
Our department at Scene Magazine primarily sells employment, real estate, rental, and music ads. My job essentially entails keeping track of which ads have sold and how much money each person in my department has sold in ads. I am also in charge of making visuals, creating and executing department contests, assembling media kits, mailing tear sheets, and various other miscellaneous tasks thrown in my direction. Recently, I have been given the opportunity to sell classified ads in addition to my other responsibilities.
My degree in English not only helped me develop my writing skills, essential for my current position, but my critical thinking skills as well. While I was undergoing the interview process at Scene Magazine, I was asked to review the magazine and formulate twenty questions about it. During my third interview, my director and publisher at the time said, "Part of the reason we have decided to hire you is because you asked the most insightful and complex questions of all the other applicants." My English skills consistently come into play, for example, when I must give detailed directions to other national coordinators in my company to ensure that the national ads we place from Cleveland are properly copies and priced in other cities. Along these same lines, I am able to give descriptive directions for sales representatives to use when they are learning new computer software programs. Finally, I exercise creativity in creating visuals and motivating my department to earn as much revenue as possible.
Tyessa Howard-Mounanga (2003): Analyst, Mediquant Healthcare Software Company, Cleveland, OH
One of the main responsibilities of Mediquant Healthcare Software is to update and then send information regarding Medicare policies to healthcare facilities each month. As an analyst for this company, I use the communication and critical thinking skills I learned as an English major at Ursuline College on a daily basis. Conducting research, reviewing and editing documentation, and talking with clients are just a few of the tasks for which I utilize everything I learned at Ursuline. My current position is proof that an English major qualifies one for a wide range of career opportunities. With its tagline of "Values, Voice, and Vision," Ursuline College has not only helped shape my career but my character as well.
Aimee Jannsohn (2004): Marketing Communications Associate, The Pilgrim Press & United Church Press, Cleveland, OH
As a Marketing Communications Associate, I write and edit copy for the back covers of books, two seasonal trade catalogs, an annual curricula catalog, print and other media advertising, flyers, signage, and other marketing materials. In addition, I prepare and distribute press releases for all new books and authors and maintain review lists as well as send out books for review. With our Marketing Director, I plan marketing campaigns for new and backlist books. When necessary, I also travel to staff sales exhibitions, conferences, meetings, and other events.
Ursuline’s English Program has prepared me for my career in numerous ways. The high quality and diversity of the English courses I took—everything from literature to writing to grammar and usage—continues to play a major role in my everyday responsibilities. Furthermore, the skills I developed and the knowledge I gained throughout my education at Ursuline College give me the confidence to handle the challenges that lie ahead in my career. In this sense, Ursuline continues to prepare me for my career.
Julie Kalista (2004): Online Editor, Machine Design Magazine, Cleveland, OH
As an online editor for Machine Design Magazine, published by Penton Media, I write seven engineering e-newsletters on topics such as aerospace, motors, packaging, mechanics, and electronics. My time is divided equally between researching and writing short news articles on these topics. I also have to find specific products and events that relate directly to these topics. If information is incomplete, I also contact companies, via e-mail and telephone interviews, for more information about the products. In February 2007, I attended my first tradeshow, complete with a press badge, to conduct in-person interviews with manufacturers.
Ursuline College helped me get my current position mostly by building my self-confidence. After a year-long struggle of looking for a writing job, I interviewed with Penton, and because of the confidence in my skills and abilities I acquired from my Ursuline education, I convinced the interviewer that I would be a good fit for the company. In fact, she was so impressed that she found me an editorial position rather than one in circulation!
Obviously, the research and writing skills I developed as an English major at Ursuline daily aid me in my editorial position. The experience of giving oral presentations in classes while I attended Ursuline, as well as the many communication skills I learned overall, are invaluable when speaking at meetings and conducting interviews with clients. I love that Ursuline focuses on women and how women learn best. All of my teachers were so dedicated to ensuring that we would succeed, and I am therefore forever grateful to Ursuline!
Mindi Leatham (2002): Free-Lance Writer/ Event Coordinator/ Marketing Consultant, Chandler, AZ (www.writeminded.net)
Ursuline College’s English Program prepared me for a multi-faceted career in writing. After graduating in 2002, I completed an internship at Formula PR where I wrote press releases, case studies, advertisements, etc., for various companies. The writing experience and knowledge of the industry I gained from this internship enabled me to get a job as a staff writer for Décor and Style Magazine. After a year with Décor and Style, I felt confident to leave the staff and try freelancing. I wrote regularly for Garden Compass Magazine and The San Diego Gallery Guide and teamed up with Theta Interactive, a web and software design firm, to write for businesses in need of marketing material. Although I continue to do marketing writing, I am also writing children’s fiction.
When I was in elementary school, one of my favorite writers was Madeleine L’Engle. In her book, A Ring of Endless Light, a character advises a young writer to read as much as possible and study the technical elements of writing. I took this character’s advice to heart and discovered that majoring in English would allow me to do these things. I enrolled in Ursuline College, my “dream” college in every way. The diversity of courses, excellent professors, and clear guidance I received helped form a bridge to my core, my identity and creativity. It is rare when life’s events dance around you, perfectly in sync and moving out of love, but that is what happened to me at Ursuline. I will always remember my entire Ursuline experience with awe, affection, and gratitude.
Sarah Lovequist (1998): Litigation Attorney
Currently, I am a litigation attorney practicing in the areas of insurance subrogation, business and commercial law, and international business and commercial law. I am responsible for all new insurance files that come into the firm and am involved in most other litigation matters. When a new file comes in, I review it, file the initial pleadings, conduct depositions, write motions, and handle the matter through to settlement or trial, which includes attending court hearings and negotiating with opposing counsel. I am also responsible for writing articles for the firm’s website and list serves.
Ursuline College prepared me for my career by providing me with a safe environment in which to explore varied interests while also encouraging me to take risks and develop new interests. Ursuline, in general, is a supportive community that is concerned with fostering and preparing women to be confident and successful in their chosen careers. The English Program in particular helped me develop my writing and communication skills, which I use daily in my profession, and also taught me how to think critically and analyze situations, depicted in novels, poems, essays, etc., to find deeper meanings and underlying themes. This critical thinking process prepared me for the demands of law school and a litigation career as I am constantly prepared to think quickly and critically and know how to “look below the surface” for underlying issues and meaning—skills required by the legal world.
Marlene Walkush (2000): Administrative Assistant
During the interview process for my current position of Administrative Assistant, my employer stated that he liked my letter of personal introduction. He commented that it was well written and interesting. I owe that credit to the English Program at Ursuline College.
Because of my English major, I have "graduated" in my position to editing all written material that leaves our offices. My job covers all areas of English-content, style, grammar, mechanics, and punctuation-and will continue to evolve in dimension because of computer technology opportunities. I am well satisfied with the education I received as an English major at Ursuline College. Not only has it prepared me for my job, but it gave me the added edge over others who were applying for the same position. I know I can write well, and I am grateful to Ursuline's English Program for this.
Nedra Wrayno (2006): Management Position, Cleveland-Based Insurance Company
I coordinate and monitor continuing education needs for our internal insurance agents, which includes communications to these individuals as well as to various individuals in Human Resources, Legal, and Management. As changes occur in our processes, it is my responsibility to document these accordingly and draft general communications that will be posted on our internal website. I also work with various external vendors and Department of Insurance contacts to resolve issues that arise. As a process expert, I also participate in various project initiatives that involve research, providing documentation and making recommendations.
My English major has been very practical in the business world. In the current corporate environment, most communications are done through e-mail. It is important to be able to express your thoughts concisely and to be able to write e-mail messages quickly. The ability to put my thoughts down clearly is essential to helping the people I work with understand their roles and guidelines for executing their daily responsibilities. It has also afforded me the confidence to be able to write communications directed toward various levels of the company and feel that I am able to write effectively for each specific audience. I also feel that my degree in English helps me when researching state information and understanding new processes as it has helped me develop my level of comprehension. The key to being successful in business is the ability to communicate well. A degree in English has provided me with fundamental skills required in the real world and also opens up new opportunities as businesses continue to expand their on-line products and internal web-based structure.
