"I took for granted the ability to write coherently and in an organized way. It's not a skill that most people have, and I feel like I was really able to hone that skill in my English classes."
When did you graduate from BYU?
BA English 2017
What is your job/position? And how would you describe what you do in that job/position?
I’m an archivist for the Church History Department. I work on acquiring records about the Church in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. I assist in research to identify historical gaps in our catalog and records, then put together and carry out targeted projects to gather records and do oral histories that fill specific needs. I also assist in processing records for Saints publications. Part of this job also requires writing; I’m a coauthor for a book about the beginnings of the Church in Eastern Europe, which is where I served my mission. I’ve also researched and written for the Church’s Global Histories in the Church History section of the Gospel Library and an Ensign article about Doctrine and Covenants.
Describe the path that you took from your BYU English degree to your current career, highlighting the important realizations and turning points that paved the path for you.
I was hired right before graduation! The Church History Department was interested in my English degree, mission to Estonia (and subsequent language skills), and my work in the Ancient Religion Department at BYU. They wanted to know if I would be interested in pursuing a grad program in history, which I am currently working on.
What are the specific skills that you cultivated as an English major that you now use in your professional life? And how do you use those skills in ways that set you apart from your colleagues?
The ability to research, communicate clearly, write well, and maintain an enthusiasm for personal study has been invaluable so far in my career!
What are some of the surprising ways in which your English degree helped you in your life?
My English degree gave me an appreciation for the human experience and how literature and history intersect. A big part of my job now is documenting the experience of individuals within the Church around the world and assisting people in telling their own stories.
What do you wish you had known as an English major? Is there any advice you’d like to share with current students?
For as much as people may deem it useless and give us a hard time, the ability to connect with people through written word is priceless. Knowing how to research and discern what sources are credible and well supported is also an invaluable life skill. I think English majors are excellent at having the personal drive to learn and study outside of the classroom since we love to read!
Contact
ashleymholdaway@gmail.com