What is your job/position?
I am an attorney at a large firm in the Midwest.
Describe the path that took you from your American Studies degree to your current career or life situation.
I knew I always wanted to go to law school and found the humanities side of American Studies and the more specific subject matter more appealing than political science or other more typical pre-law degrees. This also helped with much more focused writing skills, which was critical in law school and integral in my practice now.
What are the specific competencies you cultivated as an American Studies student that you now use in your professional life and that set you apart from your colleagues?
Writing, particularly how to present an argument and support it, leading the reader through your position naturally.
What are some of the surprising ways in which your American Studies degree has helped you in your professional or personal life?
It’s always a conversation starter and a good interviewing topic! It’s less of a known degree so it was always a good chance for me to frame it for the interviewer rather than just letting them have a preconceived notion of a more broadly known degree.
What do you wish you had known as an American Studies student? What advice would you share with current students?
Take advantage of every writing opportunity, practice, advice, and help you can.
*You can contact Matthew with questions about his American Studies story at matthewdelange93@gmail.com.