The English Majors part of the Career Expo at Frostburg State University on Friday, Oct. 21, featured two past students as guest speakers representing two different occupations in the English field.Katie Murray graduated from FSU in 2003, an English Literature major who was "not at all interested in teaching." She lived at home in Frostburg while she pursued her degree, which allowed her to be very active in campus life., including starting out as copy editor of The Bottom Line, and eventually becoming editor-in-chief. Upon graduating, Murray worked as an admissions counselor for FSU for six months, which allowed her to travel for the job. She then worked as a first year mentor at Goucher College for almost two years, during which time she lived on campus with a group of first year males. Finally, she landed the job she's currently in as Assistant Director of Family Services at George Mason University. Murray is most proud of an article she published as a grad assistant, and she credits her skills of being able to make an argument and back it up to her undergraduate English education at FSU.
Jayme Bartles graduated in 2005, also an English Literature major and also knowing she had no interest in teaching. During her senior year, she responded to an ad she saw for an editorial assistant for a publishing company. She laughed as she recalled getting lost on her way to the interview, an interview she says she "nailed." The publishing company, Rowman and Littlefield Publishing, must have been quite impressed because Bartles has worked for them ever since, working her way up to her current position of Production Editor. She talked about her job responsibilities, explaining that she works on as many as 20-25 books at a time, while responsible for overseeing everyone involved, including marketing, publicity and design. She enjoys the creativity her job allows, as well as getting to work with people who share a common bond. "It's a great feeling to know that you are constantly learning," she said smiling. Bartles closed by sharing with students that Rowman and Littlefield Publishing offers several internships and offering to take interested students' contact information back to the office with her.
This segment of the Career Expo ended with a question and answer period with the two guest speakers, during which students were interested in advice on finding careers and how to best market themselves. "Take advantage of Career Services here at FSU and start planning early." advised Murray. "Put yourself out there. Take the work no one else wants. That's how you get promoted." offered Bartles.
