Name: Rachel Tallis
Age: 23
College & Majors/Minors: University of Delaware, English Major with a Concentration in Professional Writing
Current Location: Boston, MA
Current Form of Employment: Full Time Technical Writer and Project Manager
Where do you work and what is your current position?
I work at Sovos Compliance in Massachusetts as a Technical Writer and Project Manager.
Tell us about how you found your first job, and how you found your current job (if different).
I’ve had several online writing internships throughout my college career which I found through speakers in classes and e-mails from my department. However, this is my first full time job which I found by using several job hunting websites, such as Monster and LinkedIn.
What was another writing-related job that was important in your career?
Starting off as a Fashion Merchandising Major, I found myself in online blogging internships which really helped guide me to my current profession. My first internship was writing men’s fashion articles for Men’s Fashion by Francesco, an online magazine. This was important to my career because it showed me how to combine my love of fashion with my passion for writing.
What did you do in college to prepare for your post-grad life?
““Internships are not just a great resume builder, but they’re great for self-growth as well. Try different types of internships to help you figure out what path you want to take for your profession.””
I completed three online blogging internships throughout my undergraduate career. Each of these internships provided me with knowledge of the business world and showed me how many options I had as a Professional Writing major. My English classes helped me improve on my writing, although my internships taught me how to write in AP Style, which is a common style for articles. I spent my last semester applying to jobs and was lucky enough to receive a job offer right after I graduated.
What is your advice for students and graduates with an English degree?
My advice for students with an English degree is to not take your opportunities for granted. Internships are not just a great resume builder, but they’re great for self-growth as well. Try different types of internships to help you figure out what path you want to take for your profession. My advice to graduates with an English degree is to be patient. Your first job may not be your dream job, but you will find wonderful experiences and opportunities to learn and grow.
