English Alumni Stories
19 results found
Read widely. Explore the world. Be open to other people and experiences, and also hold your sacred experiences and people close.
I have gained many tools for communicating ideas clearly, which has helped me in teaching positions, writers' rooms, and as a wife and mom! Critical thinking and communication have been instrumental in every interpersonal relationship in my life.
"In the children’s publishing industry, I’m the whole package—I can write and illustrate. I had an easier time getting an agent because I can do both."
"BYU's English department pushed me as a writer, which means it pushed me as a thinker, because those two go hand in hand."
"There's not just one path for English majors. It's not just teaching or bust. So many businesses need good writers, they need you."
"It's actually pretty surprising to me how many people hate writing. I love writing. And I think a talent in writing sets you apart in tech."
"I also think the empathy, thoughtfulness, and critical thinking that studying literature cultivates have helped me excel at designing user-centered content and navigating the corporate world."
"I’d wished I’d known that it is okay to want to be a writer. It is a valid career choice, and can be even more so when it is paired with other concrete skillsets that one can gain at BYU. "
"Throughout my studies in English, my professors continually prepared me for an unconventional career path, making it clear that the skills of analysis and communication that we were learning and practicing would come in handy, and they were right."
"There is a need for qualified professionals who write well. You can find a company with benefits, opportunities for growth and management, interesting subject matter, and great colleagues."
"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."
"Communication—specifically written communication—is super important, especially in reading and understanding law documents."
"I think my education prepared me most of all for navigating and appreciating so much about life. How to think critically, ask key questions, and write and read in a versatile way."
"This isn’t often mentioned, but writing is a HUGE part of social media. And you learn how to do it well as an English major."
"My experience as an English major taught me to be curious and teachable, always ready to learn more and change my mind if given new data."
"I can see multiple ways a piece of text could be read and cultivate it to be as clear as possible to the reader."
"As an English major, I learned how to analyze something and ask questions. This has proved to be key for my success in my career."
"Critical thinking is highly underrated but highly valuable; it enables you to work smarter, not harder, and understand problems in a unique way. It makes you valuable."
"My English degree taught me to read critically and write honestly—as a graduate student I feel that I’m still developing skills to apply in my career."