By Arelle Maiman ’27

“Are you going to teach?” It’s a question English majors get asked often. Many people’s first reaction to finding out a student is studying English is to assume that will be their path. At St. Norbert College, however, the English department faculty ensure students know the multitude of career avenues available to them. Each semester, the department hosts hour-long sessions with SNC alumni in diverse career fields, all of whom graduated with English degrees. 

Led by Deirdre Egan-Ryan (English), whose many years with the department allow her to connect past and present generations of students, the sessions help students envision potential careers by providing first-hand experiences and insights. Open to all SNC students, panels held on Feb. 24 and March 10 included six alumni: Kelsey Boldt ’10, Marianna Novak ’24, Olivia Arza ’24, Kalin LeBrun ’08, Margaret Bridge ’03, and Suzan Brinker ’09.

Events begin with each panelist introducing themselves and describing their journey from SNC to their current career. Egan-Ryan then leads a discussion before opening the floor to student questions, which often result in more individualized advice. For example, Allison Larson ’26 learned of Boldt’s experience with screenwriting. With this shared interest, Larson was able to receive specific advice and make a connection that she wouldn’t have otherwise. 

Reese Neumann ’26, a secondary education and English double major, wanted advice to balance her creative pursuits and the structure of teaching. Fortunately, Arza, a high school teacher at Marian Central Catholic in Woodstock, Ill., reassured Neumann that her “day is always different.” Arza described the ways she fuels her personal creativity while also highlighting the ever-changing nature of the school system, which alleviated Neumann’s concerns.

Boldt described her career path, pivoting from library science to marketing and communications after 10 years. Her story revealed the versatility of an English degree and addressed a common anxiety among undergrads — what am I going to do for the rest of my life? She also offered insight into the reason English majors are so frequently asked, “What are you going to do with your major?” According to Boldt, when English skills are honed, they often are not noticed. The communication, analysis, and critical-thinking skills of an English major are often “not actively praised,” but serve as a “Swiss Army knife” across career paths.

When asked, “What skills, habits of mind, or other tools, in your English major mind, do you use daily outside of St. Norbert?” panelists offered optimistic responses. Novak, a marketing and communications specialist at Trilliant Foods, described how she “did not have the patience to be a teacher,” so she tried a variety of  internships until she “found one that really resonated.” She highlighted the importance of storytelling, to dig deeper to better understand the audience. As she put it, Novak learned to ask questions like “why does this girl want to buy a protein shake?” and then “sell that story on social media.”

Arza described English majors as “quick on [their] feet” and “able to communicate and communicate effectively.” These sometimes overlooked skills enabled panelists to lead diverse, yet equally fulfilling careers.

In addition to career advice, students also received personal advice from alumni. When asked, “What advice do you have for your SNC self?,” Boldt highlighted the importance of “getting as much practical experience as you can,” even without a clear plan. Her statement showed that a “final plan” often comes to fruition through experience. At a small school like SNC, professors take the opportunity to aid students in that exploration. Kiley Williams-Chvosta ’26  stated the panels “highlight how much the close-knit community in the program really aids in the personal development of both the human and the educational.”

Novak emphatically highlighted the importance of “internships, internships, internships!” However, she also wished she could tell her SNC self to “just chill out.” Boldt furthered this comfort, stating, “You aren’t alone if you don’t have everything figured out.” Her response resonated strongly with Lily Paskus ’26, who stated, “It certainly puts things into perspective.” 

Panelists also addressed students who are hesitant to commit to an English degree. Novak admitted that she “might not have a degree that specifically says ‘career’”; however, she “knows how to think critically,” and that in itself has graced her with a multitude of opportunities. Similarly, Arza stated that an English major “opens a lot of doors … At the end of the day, we can read, we can write… if you can speak well, that’s going to take you far in whatever career path you choose.”

Reflecting on the March event, Chris Guerski ’26 said his biggest takeaway was that “it will be better than you think.” Bridge, who described herself as “rocking non-pay domestic labor” as a stay-at-home mom, offered a unique perspective to the panel discussion. Stating her main fulfillment comes from “being a super strong support system for other parents,” she showed how SNC taught her to value community. 

The emphasis on community — communio — always found its way back to the discussion. LeBrun, director of marketing and communications at the Northside Achievement Zone, described how she receives fulfillment from “being around people” and that it is “very important to be close to [her] community.” 

Brinker, co-founder and CEO at Viv Higher Education, highlighted the close relationships within the SNC English department, stating: “The mistake [she] made at SNC was thinking [she] was going to meet more people like them again and again and again, and [she] never did.”

Bridge highlighted Laurie MacDiarmid (English) as a role model of hers because she “gravitated to this person of MacDiarmid being unapologetically herself.” Panelists described how they wished to carry that same mentorship beyond SNC. LeBrun discussed her desire to “be a role model to middle schoolers and teenagers who don’t really know where to find their community and safe place.”

To close each session, panelists offered final reassurances and advice. Bridge reminded seniors to “stay true to yourself, and you’ll be fine,” and to keep “doing things, and doing them scared.” Brinker reminded soon-to-be graduates that “An engineer will make more money than you right out of college, but you will catch up if you can take your skills and harness them.” She told English students they are brave because English majors don’t have a predictable path and “that’s a beautiful thing.” With this simple statement, she reminded students to value the beauty of writing their story.