English Alumni Stories
16 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.
Don't be afraid of jobs you're not totally qualified or comfortable with. I didn't know anything about digital marketing, but those skills I could learn. My soft skills of writing and storytelling are harder to pick up.
"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."
"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’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. "
"Being able to work cross-functionally to communicate ideas and value in clear, concise, and inspirational ways has propelled me further than I ever realized it could."
"I think the strongest assets I cultivated as an English major were communication, critical thinking, and emotional intelligence."
"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."
"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."
"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."
"I feel that being steeped in great literature and learning to identify and understand narrative arcs and complex characters can transfer into emotional intelligence, empathy, and persuasion."
"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."