Jonathan Walker/Collegian
Presidential writer Skyla Freeman explains how her Hillsdale diplmoa helped her find a job.
The Hillsdale College English department hosted a career night Tuesday to benefit English majors and others interested in career options. The event was the first of its since 1997.
The event included several 10-minute speeches presented by a selection of successful Hillsdale College alumni from the English program.
The speeches, designed to tell students about career options in fields related to English or literature, highlighted a variety of careers.
“[English] is a field of study which does not have a clear career path,” Skyla Freeman, a 2002 graduate who now works in the White House, said.
The professions of the other speakers illustrated Freeman’s point: Mark Maier, Christy Maier and Nathan Kazmarek have vastly different professions as library director, high-school English teacher and attorney, respectively.
Joanna Wiseley, director of career planning, was a primary figure in the organization of the event.
“English majors can do anything and our English majors are no exception,” she said.
Wiseley said often English majors tend to develop career-transferable skills.
Mark Maier, a 1998 Hillsdale graduate, explained his job as the library director at the Hillsdale City Library.
“It’s a profession that is often misunderstood,” he said.
Maier explained that there are many divisions of library science. He said he chose “the city library business” in order to return to Hillsdale.
“I enjoy the variety because everyday I have absolutely no idea what kinds of things will happen or what will show up on my doorstep,” he said.
One of the most rewarding experiences, he said, is the variety of people he has the opportunity to meet.
His wife, Christy Maier, works locally as a high school English teacher. She gave advice on skills that one should develop to become marketable: the ability to identify and articulate processes, good reading skills and learning to play a political game. She suggested taking both a prose style and a composition course while in college.
Maier encouraged anyone majoring in English who enjoys working with children to consider teaching as a career.
“Who else will be paid to sit around with 14-, 15- and 16-year-olds and discuss the most important issues,” she said. “It’s a wonderful career to combine with other pursuits.”
Freeman also advocated making connections.
“Network,” she said. “It is absolutely vital. Never underestimate the power of human contact.”
One of the best ways to connect, Freeman said, is to join a Hillsdale alumni club.
Each speaker praised Hillsdale’s English program as one which set them ahead of their graduate classes and employment competitors.
“I think that it was a very good thing to attend because it showed that there are options and job opportunities for English majors,” sophomore Jessica Hughes said.
“English is a good major, a good subject and a good way of life,” Freeman said. “It is something that will stay with you.”