MSU English Alumni Stories

MSU English Alumni Stories

Kristen Dechert Quote

The skill I gained as an English major that I have used most consistently is critical thinking. As an English major, I was trained to read carefully and to formulate my own ideas and responses both in writing and orally in class. Through class discussion and writing papers, I learned not just how to remember what I had read but to build upon it in a meaningful way, and it is this ability that I credit most when I have had opportunities for promotion and career advancement.

Kristen Dechert

Proposal Writer/Production Specialist

Kelsey Norris Quote

I currently write fiction full-time, so my workday consists of writing, reading, and editing. House Gone Quiet, my debut short story collection, will publish in October 2023 and I am currently at work on a novel.

Kelsey Norris

Author

Katie Poe Quote

"I am currently a Content Production Manager at the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, where I manage the production of scholarly articles for its 5 journals. My work begins when articles are accepted for publication, when the copyediting and proofreading processes start. I work with a vendor that provides composition services and I conduct quality control of their work. One of my favorite aspects of the job, however, is working with the authors."

Katie Poe

Content Production Manager

Margaret Pitts Quote

My favorite classes were my Creative Writing classes--I learned a lot about myself during these. However, truly the best part of being an English major was building friendships that have continued beyond college! 

Margaret Pitts

Law Student

Breana Miller Quote

Though I learned more about genre in grad school, I also find myself analyzing the genres we use in the office (postcards, flyers, newsletters, emails, invoices, release forms, application documents, etc.) in order to make sure I understand their purpose and function in the event that I have to recreate or redesign them.

Breana Miller

Administrative Services Specialist - Outreach

Melody Pittman Dale Quote

Making connections is so important; go out and meet people in the field! Talk to them about pros and cons of the job, shadow them for a day, and volunteer at different types of libraries.

Melody Pittman Dale

Associate Professor (Education and Business Librarian Organization)

Grace Jones Quote

Try to get as much experience as you can before you graduate! I worked at multiple bookstores and wrote for several magazines during my time at MSU, which really helped me showcase my writing and get the jobs I’ve had since graduating. Also, share why you are passionate about your future career; a personal story and display of your passion can get you a long way!

Grace Jones

Project Operations Assistant and Project Lead

Deadric Williams Quote

I would encourage undergraduate English majors to take as many courses in the department as possible. One of the best decisions I made as an English major was taking a range of course—from the 16th to the 20th century.

Deadric Williams

Assistant Professor of Sociology

Kate Gregory Quote

If you show up, engage, do the work, and listen, the faculty in the English department has prepared a curriculum that will set you up for success in several career fields. English degrees will prepare you to be an excellent writer and communicator, which is valuable across the job market.

Kate Gregory

Assistant Professor and Director of the Mississippi Political Collections

John Cohen Quote

One thing that really stands out is simplifying. I had great professors at Mississippi State and every one of them talked about eliminating every single thing that doesn’t help the sentence or help the structure of the idea. That has trickled over into every part of my life. Everything that’s an additive that doesn’t make sense to the cause, it must be eliminated. Secondly, earning an English degree provided me with the ability to communicate ideas in a way that’s acceptable and understandable to other people. In a leadership position, it’s critical to be able to clearly explain plans or expectations to others. My time as a student certainly helped provide me with the skills needed to be an effective communicator.

John Cohen

Athletic Director

Sheena Allen Quote

Undoubtedly, my English degree prepared me for my job because of the heavy focus on research and writing. In a nutshell, reading and writing is what I do, almost exclusively. Also, I'm certain my ability to not only accept constructive criticism about my work product but also exchange dialogue respectfully with the critic about that feedback stems from my time at MSU. 

Sheena Allen

Staff Attorney, Hearing Officer

Sarah Shields Quote

Jumping from a literary and academic world to a marketing world was a bit of an adjustment. Oxford commas were out, and conversational language was in. I had to change the way I wrote to fit with the demands of my new job. I also had to learn the psychology behind why people shop then use that knowledge in my marketing copy. Some of this came from doing a lot of reading and research on my own (something English majors are very well acquainted with); the rest came from trial and error. Ultimately, the basis of what I needed for my career as a copywriter came from my English degree. 

Sarah Shields

Copywriter II, Product and Packaging