In two to four sentences, describe your post-Biola work/life journey.

When I graduated from Biola, I had no idea what I wanted to do. It also happened to be during the beginning of the recession so I bounced around from job to job including working for the US Census, Starbucks, teaching part-time, and I ended up working for the National School Project, a small, Christian non-profit, doing donor services and grant writing. I eventually quit to become a foster parent and full-time, stay-at-home mom.

What's your current occupation, and in what ways did getting a degree in English prepare you for your job?

I’ve been a stay-at-home mom for almost four years now, and I love it. Being an English major has helped instill in me a curiosity and a love of learning that I hope to pass on to my kids.

What was a favorite class or experience you had while a Biola English major?

I loved the Shakespeare and Beowulf classes I got to take with Dr. Kleist.

What about life after college was most surprising to you?

I was surprised at how difficult it was to find my bearings after graduating. After spending my whole life being told by teachers how to excel, the freedom was overwhelming and daunting, and it took me a good year to find my feet under me.

What advice would you give to a current Biolan majoring in English? Or what's something you did in college that later helped you professionally?

If you don't know what to do after graduation, don't be afraid to just get a job—any job. I felt a lot of pressure to figure out "what to do with my life" right after college, but what ended up being the most helpful thing was to just try things and see what I ended up liking. Your first job out of college may not be where you stay for the rest of your working years, and that's ok. An English major is a nice broad degree that prepares you well for pretty much any arena, so get out there and have fun!

What are you reading?

Right now I'm reading my 4-year-old son The Trumpet of the Swan by E.B. White.