Careers

Lives in: Princeton, NJ

Majors: French and English (British Literature)

Why French? “I came to UVM with the intention of studying English to become a teacher. When I began taking French classes in my first year (at the time for a minor in French), I saw that the type of work I was drawn to in English was reflected in the French department, and so I quickly added the second major and enrolled in literature courses. Throughout my BA, I felt that the two majors in English and French made up one cohesive course of study in literature, as the traditions are in constant conversation.”

Current position: PhD student in the department of French & Italian at Princeton University

What grad study looks like: “Each year of a PhD program is structured differently from the last. In the first two years, students take seminars, prepare for General Exams, and teach French language courses. During my first year, I also took German language courses and had the opportunity to continue these studies over the summer in Vienna. After the General Exam in the spring of the second year, PhD candidates work with their advisors to develop their dissertation, often while continuing to teach courses. We are also encouraged to pursue our own projects, whether that entails publication, attending conferences, or organizing events within the Princeton community.” 

What she loves about it: “I most love the opportunities to meet and learn from other scholars. I have had opportunities to present my research and attend various conferences and events hosted by Princeton, all of which have enriched my studies outside of the classroom. Moreover, the culture of study is very open at Princeton; I have felt encouraged to explore interests beyond those which I came to the program with the intention of studying, which has been an exciting experience.”

What she gained from a liberal arts education: “One of the most important skills I developed throughout my undergraduate education is the ability to think critically across disciplines. This skill remains central to the work I do today; while my PhD prepares me to be a specialist, the most exciting aspects of my projects often begin with an interdisciplinary interest. My liberal arts education has prepared me for the independent work I do now, giving me both the means of developing the necessary confidence to independently navigate material outside my direct field of study and the time needed to develop a work ethic while taking on projects of my own. As I progress further into a career as a writer, scholar, and teacher, it is important to me that the excitement of exploring literature from a variety of disciplinary perspectives remains at the heart of the work I do. I must, therefore, always be learning, and my liberal arts education has given me a model for the kind of intellectually curious life I hope to cultivate.”

Lives in: Montpelier, VT 

Major/minor: French major, Gender Studies minor 

Why French? “I chose to major in French because I’ve always been passionate about the language and the connections it creates. I studied abroad in France in high school, and that experience was truly life-changing. It opened the door to new cultures and experiences and showed me the value of traveling, learning from others, and connecting with people whose backgrounds are different from my own. My grandmother was French-Canadian, so studying French also gave me a way to feel more connected to her and to my family’s heritage. Pursuing a French major allowed me to continue immersing myself in a language and culture that had already had such a meaningful impact on my life.” 

Current position: Executive Director of Vermont Ultimate  

What work looks like: “As Executive Director, I oversee the operations and growth of Vermont Ultimate, a small sports nonprofit dedicated to growing the sport and its community across the state. Over my time as ED, I’ve focused on growing the organization while shifting our work toward being a more mission-driven nonprofit, centered on one of Ultimate’s defining principles: Spirit of the Game. Ultimate offers a unique approach to competition that emphasizes fair play, mutual respect, accountability, and conflict resolution. Through the sport, we help people build meaningful relationships, develop leadership skills, and strengthen their communities. My role is about creating more opportunities for people to experience those benefits through Ultimate.” 

What he loves about it: “I love getting to create more opportunities for kids to find this amazing sport and see that competition and mutual respect can go hand in hand. Right now, we have a specific emphasis on bringing more young girls into the sport, and that is extremely rewarding.”   

What he gained from his liberal arts education: “One of the most important skills I gained from my liberal arts education was the ability to approach problems from different perspectives. Studying French taught me to listen carefully, communicate with people who think and communicate differently than I do, and be comfortable making mistakes and learning from them. Those skills have been just as valuable in my career as they were in the classroom. As a nonprofit leader, I’m constantly working with people with different experiences, priorities, and ideas. I’ve learned that being curious, adaptable, and willing to see a situation from someone else’s perspective is often more valuable than having the “right” answer immediately. I think the ability to meet people where they're at to find common ground, have productive conversations, and grow and learn together has been one of the most valuable and transferable skills for me. As a first-generation college student who took a non-traditional path toward earning my bachelor’s degree—I started at UVM at 19 and finished at 29—having a college degree at all is incredibly meaningful to me. My liberal arts education gave me the opportunity to explore, think critically, and develop a broader understanding of the world. My career has taken me in directions I never could have predicted when I started at UVM, and the breadth of my education has given me the skills and perspective to adapt and keep learning along the way.” 

Lives in: Portland, ME 

Majors: French and Anthropology 

Why French: “I chose French as a major for a few reasons. Learning a language was a requirement in my family growing up. They insisted I pick a language and stick with it from middle school through college. While their encouragement was helpful, I also fell in love with French and knew I wanted to major in it by the time I got to college. Languages are invaluable in connecting with others and opening another world of community, culture, and understanding. In an increasingly interconnected world, I think we should all do our best to learn new languages!” 

Current position: Family Law Victim Rights Staff Attorney at Pine Tree Legal Assistance (in our Lewiston, ME office) 

What work looks like: “Pine Tree is the only statewide legal aid organization in Maine that provides free legal services to Mainers. I represent survivors of domestic violence and/or sexual assault in family law cases, such as divorces, child custody, and emergency restraining orders. This requires me to be in court pretty frequently, advocating for my clients and their goals, which are often rooted in keeping themselves and their children safe and recovering from years of financial abuse.” 

Why she loves it: “My favorite part about my job is the people—both my colleagues and my clients. I am surrounded by the most compassionate, hard-working, and intelligent attorneys and staff. Legal aid is hard, but it's so collaborative, and the people who work in it are simply the best. Almost everything I've learned about being a domestic violence and legal aid attorney is from them. My clients are equally as amazing—to work with someone after they have finally been able to leave an abusive and unsafe relationship is really meaningful. It takes a lot for someone to get to that place (on average, it takes someone seven tries to leave an abusive relationship), and helping someone fight and advocate for what they want and believe is best for themselves and their children is an honor.” 

What she gained from her liberal arts education: “My liberal arts education provided me with a lot. First, actual language skills. Many of my clients are from French-speaking Africa, so I have used my French countless times in speaking with clients and interacting with them and their families. These language skills allow me to form an extra layer of trust with my clients. Second, I think my education made me look beyond myself and instead to my community. We are only as successful as those around us. Thriving communities are supportive of each other, and that's something I learned from my education. I am certain my liberal arts education formed who I am as a person today. The liberal arts expand our understanding and view of our worlds and, in turn, create more compassionate, thoughtful, and understanding people. We live in such an individualistic society, but the liberal arts push that boundary to think of us more broadly, as a society that can uphold and support each other instead of targeting others and tearing others down.”