How did majoring in English prepare you for your career?

Majoring in English was the best decision I’ve made. The department gave me hands-on experience and the professors pushed me to maximize my abilities. Normally you’d say that’s a given, but the environment – and opportunity to have 1-on-1 time with professors – was conducive toward my personal growth as a writer and person. When I entered the work force, I was more advanced than my peers. That credit goes to the VSU English department and its staff for knowing how to groom people with a mindset of separating themselves from the pack. Dr. Pat Miller and Ted Geltner were instrumental in helping me become the journalist I am today.

How has majoring in English enriched your life?

I always say majoring in English SAVED my life. I’d changed majors a couple of times, and while I always liked writing, I hadn’t considered going that direction until, well, it happened. Dr. Pat Miller gave me the nudge I needed and everything came together for there. The department felt like home the second I walked in there. Majoring in English enriched me beyond my career. It shaped who I am as a man. It gave me confidence I never had. It opened up the world for me in ways unimaginable before I joined that department. The accelerator was plugged in the moment I joined the English department.

What advice or insight do you have for VSU alumni and students interested in your career field?

My advice for people in our field: Make the most of every opportunity. Just say yes. Do the small things, the dirty work, with your No. 1 goal in mind. Decide what you want and take calculated risks to get there. This goes beyond just English majors, of course, but it’s especially applicable in our case. Be it journalism or another facet of English, it’s all about being confident in your writing. It’s about building the right connections. It’s about being creative and trusting in your talents.