Why did you study Linguistics/English Language at Queen Mary? Did you have a particular career path in mind?
I remember applying to this degree as a teenager in a small town in Michigan: London hardly even seemed real, and it certainly seemed a bit far-fetched (literally and figuratively) because I also wasn’t entirely sure what career I wanted in the long run. Fast forward three and a half years later, that was the best and most rewarding decision I’ve ever made in my life (at risk of sounding cliché). As one of the biggest cities in the world, London stands as a prime location for cultural diversity, knowledge production, and dynamism – the city is constantly changing and constantly in motion. Queen Mary functions as a sort of microcosm for this, as it has one of the most diverse student bodies in the city. This is perfect for someone studying linguistics because you are always exposed to linguistic variance [who says your studying ever has to stop?]. Every moment was an opportunity to learn more and dig into my role as a linguist in a new social setting. With that being said, I did have several moments of existential dread sitting in the Ground, Queen Mary’s on-campus coffee shop, thinking about the impending dread of adulthood and needing to find the perfect career for me (and to be quite frank, these moments still come, but I’ve gotten better at managing them!) – but surprisingly, I can’t remember ever doubting whether or not I made the right decision by studying linguistics. From the first class, I always felt supported in the linguistics department, and I had the feeling that there was room for me to explore and share what fascinated me. I hope, and I’m certain, that the linguistics department at Queen Mary can be a ‘safety net’ for other students who might relate to my experience, and I know they will be given the same guidance I had in finding the pathway (or at least the specialism or next step) that makes the most sense for them.
What topics did you like learning about and was there anything that surprised you in your studies?
Interaction and Discourse, Ethnography of Communication, and Multimodality in Theory and Practice were my absolute favorite modules. These are extremely rich and thought-provoking subjects that bled into all aspects of my life, both in terms of academia and beyond. They developed my aptitude for pattern recognition of social stimulus, understanding cultural nuance on minute levels, and dissecting, processing, and applying complex theory and methodologies. I most enjoyed social semiotics and critical discourse analysis – two frameworks that I continue to use during my studies now. One of the most surprising things for me was realizing how interconnected linguistics is with other disciplines (art, history, political science, law, business, marketing, technology/AI, psychology, the health sector, etc.). I’ve met many people from various career pathways and find that I am able to connect with them just with a background in linguistics alone. I’m currently undergoing a masters degree in Social Anthropology at the University of Oxford, and I was pleasantly surprised to realize how central linguistic theory is to a lot of research done here.
What are your career plans for the future/Are you looking to expand your skill set in anything?
I think I’ll continue studying and complete a PhD in either Social or Linguistic Anthropology! I’m not exactly certain on what I’d like to do after that, but I’m exceptionally interested in non-profit work (charities and volunteerism) and journalism. I’ve spent a bit of time volunteering with refugees and migrants in London and was actually quite thankful for my background in linguistics. During some moments there were cultural differences in the way we communicated with one another (raised voices, teasing, friendly banter, etc.), that without linguistic sensitivity, would have contributed to what is known as the ‘Hostile Environment’ or the embodied experience of cultural clash, fear of hostility, and pejorative ‘Othering’ for migrants. Not all norms in communication are translated the same across cultures; and I witnessed how this can have very real effects politically, socially, and personally/affectively. In terms of expanding my skill set, this is something that I am always looking to do! I love learning, reading, and exploring (and I’m actively studying at the moment as well), so I find myself constantly seeking to grow my skills or see them in new lights so that they may be applied in new capacities.
Is there any advice you would give to current students or recent graduates considering their career options?
I cannot think of one job or career that would not, in some capacity, value having someone trained in linguistics on their team. As a discipline, linguistics rests on the unique and expansive intersection of science and the humanities – leaving plenty of room for you to specialize and find the right path for you! Have confidence that you are needed in this world and that you deserve (and are capable of handling) the opportunities that come your way!
What advice would you give to a prospective student considering the course you studied at Queen Mary?
Education is empowerment and you will get out of your degree just as much as you put into it. As a future linguist (or truly whatever else you may want to be), remember the power of language and its ability to form connections and spread knowledge – you can do your part by asking questions during lectures and seminars, making friends within your diverse cohort, and getting involved. Also, go to the parties (Christmas, end of term, etc.) that the department puts on! There’s nice food and snacks (the last time I went someone made absolutely phenomenal cookies – yes, I still remember them in vivid detail) and it’s a chance to drink wine and talk with friends and other members of the department. If you’re feeling a bit daunted by the pressures of your degree, these parties (and maybe other small study groups or get-togethers with your colleagues you take the initiative to put on yourself) can be a very humanizing experience that can make you feel more at home.
What was special about your time at Queen Mary? Can you give one or two examples of your most memorable moments?
One thing that I found to be exceptionally special about the linguistics department at Queen Mary was the extremely knowledgeable and personable professors and lecturers. These are individuals that are experts in their craft and want to see you succeed. Some of my most fun, enlightening, and inspiring moments were talking to professors and learning about their own research and profession. One of my most memorable moments during my degree was in the module Ethnography of Communication where we were assigned to go anywhere in London for an hour each week and collect ethnographic data on our selected field site, conduct linguistic interviews with some of the interlocutors there, and apply the sociolinguistic skills we learned in real time. This assignment changed the trajectory of my life and brought me to where I am now, studying Social Anthropology. It showed me where my passions and strengths are as an academic. With that being said, it is a great honor and blessing to be able to find what speaks to you and to sharpen the image of what you can envision doing for the rest of your life. I owe a lot to the linguistics professors at Queen Mary who helped shine a light on my next steps, and I hope one day to follow in their footsteps in any way I can!