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Kylie Brooks

Social Media Manager

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"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."
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When did you graduate from BYU?

BA English 2011

What is your job/position? And how would you describe what you do in that job/position?

I’m the social media manager for BYU.

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.

First, I was a teller at a bank and then moved to the marketing department at same bank, realizing that you can get into a more relevant field at an organization, but you have to start somewhere. The marketing department gave me experience in social media and let me use my English degree skill sets of writing, editing, storytelling, and critical thinking to create products. I then moved to the content marketing department, which led me to a position as a content writer at tech company. My time at the bank gave me skills that transferred to other fields into positions directly related to my degree. I then became the marketing and PR manager at BYU Museum of Art (MOA). I applied for this job even though I didn't have 100% of the recommended skills, but I had passion for the field and a track record of being proactive, learning things quickly, and improving. I moved into my current position as the social media manager for BYU to gain some PR skills that I wasn't going to get at the MOA. I have learned so much at both jobs, and I am using and grateful for my English degree every single day.

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?

Critical thinking, storytelling, and succinct verbal and written communication are probably the most used. I get to read, write, give presentations, trainings, and storyboard content in my job. It's so wonderful to know that I am using my English degree and building upon that academic foundation with workplace skillsets.

What are some of the surprising ways in which your English degree helped you in your life?

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.

What do you wish you had known as an English major? Is there any advice you’d like to share with current students?

Teaching and editing aren't the only options.

Contact

heykylie@gmail.com