UM alumnae Nicole Tisdale (left) and Kim Dandridge discuss their career paths in government and the legal fields with English major Hannah Woods, of Yazoo City, during the recent ‘Next Chapters: Career Networking with English Alumni’ event. Alumni from a variety of fields returned to campus to discuss how their English degree is serving them in their careers and also shared tips and pointers for navigating the job market. Photo by Pam Starling/Division of Outreach and Continuing Education
• Tarah Butler- I am excited to give back to students and share my real world experiences and mistakes.
• Winston Collier- An amazing event. It’s been a pleasure to meet these students with such bright futures. It’s also been fun to network with fellow alumni from the English department, so it’s been an overall excellent two days.
• Kathryn Dilworth- I think what was really so amazing for us was to come and realize the impact our experience can have for students, and I know that sounds silly, but sometimes that’s one of the greatest benefits of being a volunteer. I get to share my experience and help someone, because we all came through the same way as English majors, like, “what are we going to do” and “we don’t have a mentor,” so I think that you all need to appreciate how meaningful it was for the volunteers too and also of course for the students.
• Duncan Gray- The idea is wonderful. The energy level was high and the students came with pointed and appropriate questions. I hope I was of some help.
• Virginia Kinnier- Today was as much of a learning experience for me as the students. It was inspiring to hear their ideas and dreams for the future. So many were impressive and seem to have their ducks in a row, much more than I did when I was in their stage of life.
• Bishop Lewis- I had a great time talking about my English major with students and passing on what wisdom I’ve acquired over the last 20 years I’ve been in the working world.
• Kate Porter- Incredibly eye opening. I wish I had had something like this when I was going in to a career. It would have been so helpful.
• Taylor Sledge- There are no limitations for our major. The major that you choose, the degree that you have, is just one tool for your career in your life. My connection with everybody for this whole event is that the English department is cultivating experts in the human condition. People know how to communicate, they’re more passion driven, and it’s not this quantitative mess of, “well I have this degree so I can do this job.” I love the open architecture of the thoughts of all these people.
• Mariah Cole Williams- I was pleased to meet current students at Ole Miss. The English department is doing a wonderful job opening doors and exposing current students to options after graduation, because there are so many. When I was in school I didn’t realize I could do a slew of things, and so I think it’s really important.
• Kimbrely Dandridge- The students were engaged and interested to know more about our career paths and what we do day to day.
• Kent Jackson- I was blown away by the impressive English majors and graduates and I really enjoyed it.
• Campbell McCool- It is impressive that the English department is connecting undergrads and alums. It didn’t happen when I was an undergrad, and I wish it had. This is a brilliant idea and will further attract people to Ole Miss’ already stellar English program.
• Lindsey Neyman- This program is incredible. I wish it had been here when I was. Connecting alumni and students is just helpful and inspiring.
• Nicole Tisdale- The only thing I don’t like about this event is that it didn’t exist when I was in school here. It was so encouraging to see the students, and I hope we helped them understand that it’s not what you can do with your English degree; it’s what you can’t do. It’s much easier question to talk about the things that you can’t do with an English degree than to tell you all the possibilities. Most of the students are more prepared than a lot of the people that we see in DC every day looking for jobs. They need a little encouragement and people to show them, “I was here; I was in a similar place, and you can do the same thing.”
• Kayleigh Webb- UM Next Chapters is an incredible opportunity for English majors and alumni to network and promote alternative careers for English majors as well as share enthusiasm for English and reading.