I started at Geneseo knowing I wanted to study English literature, but with little direction as to what sort of career path I wanted to pursue. Through classes as well as taking advantage of other opportunities – several internships, tutoring at the Writing Learning Center, and editing for The Lamron – I gained skills and confidence as an editor and decided to pursue editing professionally.
After applying for entry-level publishing jobs for several months with no luck, I applied for a part-time job at a children’s bookstore on a whim, which brought me to Boston.
I’m working now as an Editorial Assistant in the Obstetrics and Gynecology specialty for a medical publishing company in the Boston area, where I’m editing clinical material that helps doctors make decisions about patient care. My job involves communicating regularly with external contributors, editing topics for style/grammar/clarity, and working with authors and editors to develop and publish new and updated content.
At Geneseo, I benefited from the small class sizes and the fact that most literature classes were discussion-based; every class was an opportunity to learn from knowledgeable and animated professors and the super-smart students I took classes with. These discussions taught us introverted bookish types to articulate our thoughts clearly and effectively, which is a crucial skill in any career path. The diversity of class options and exposure to new genres kept me constantly engaged, which has pushed me to find a career that excites and challenges me in the same way.
I’m still very new to the professional world, but the biggest things I've learned so far are to keep an open mind and be persistent. Try not to get too stuck on a specific career path or five-year plan. You never know what a certain class, job, or experience will be like until you’re in it — what you end up enjoying may surprise you. At the same time, be persistent in looking for work that really fulfills you.