What is your job/position?
Working full-time, wife, mother. I work as a presentation specialist in the Welfare & Self-Reliance Department for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Describe the path that took you from your American Studies degree to your current career or life situation.
I started working at the Church as a part-time employee right after I graduated. That got me in the door. I had some great mentors and experiences given to me in every job I've had since then. This degree gave me great experience in analyzing, writing, and communicating professionally. I realized that my potential was not limited to history facts. I had skills that were really valuable in the workforce and that helped me open my mind to different jobs I could apply for. Oh, and NETWORK, NETWORK, NETWORK.
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 skills were huge for me. Analytical skills in understanding information and then thinking critically. Appreciation for people and understanding the value of discussion and communication.
What are some of the surprising ways in which your American Studies degree has helped you in your professional or personal life?
I still have a deep love for American history and the things we can learn from it. That will stay with me forever. In my professional life, it's helped me see people as humans who all need our respect and kindness. In addition to the writing skills, which are a big part of my job now, it has given me a vast knowledge of politics, economics, history, and the arts that have helped me connect and network with people in the workplace, which has led me to positions I have had.
What do you wish you had known as an American Studies student? What advice would you share with current students?
I wish I had understood more what I could do with the skills I was learning. Don't limit yourself. Your abilities and passions can apply to MANY different jobs and environments.