Reflecting on My Education Journey and Career Choice
Introduction
Education and career development are deeply personal journeys that shape who we become. Looking back, I see how far I’ve come and the many lessons learned along the way. My choice of major in college, time abroad studying design in Amsterdam, internships in publishing and marketing, and current role in nonprofit communications have all contributed to molding my path. Through it all, self-reflection has helped me understand myself better and make important decisions. In this essay, I will reflect on key moments from my education and early career that influenced the direction I took, analyze what I’ve gained from each experience, and consider how these insights will help guide my future growth.
Studying English Literature in College
When entering university, I was unsure of exactly what I wanted to do. I was interested in creative writing, art, and helping people through nonprofit work. After considering several majors, I decided to study English Literature because it allowed for broad study across many subject areas that intrigued me. While the major itself did not seem directly career-applicable, I knew it would help me develop strong analytical, writing and communication skills that could transfer to different roles.
Looking back, my choice to major in English Literature provided immense benefits, even if the direct career pathway was unclear. The program exposed me to countless works of literary brilliance across genres, cultures and eras. I gained a deeper understanding of the human experience and different ways of expressing profound insights. The academic writing and research challenges refined my abilities to think critically, structure complex arguments and express nuanced ideas clearly. Courses on publishing prepared me for potential careers in editing, reviewing or marketing books. Professors also encouraged independent study abroad, leading to my year designing in Amsterdam which opened new creative perspectives.
While an English degree is certainly not the most direct route to a specific career, reflecting now I see that the flexibility, broad skills and richness of knowledge it provided have served me extremely well across different roles. The analytical abilities, research proficiencies and communication strengths developed through studying literature have proved highly transferable and useful in various fields. With this in mind, I believe an arts education can be tremendously valuable when approached with an open and exploratory mindset, even for those uncertain of their career goals. The mix of hard and soft skills honed through such a program lay a strong foundation for future learning and professional pivots.
My Internships in Publishing and Nonprofit Communications
To further explore career options while in college, I took on internships in book publishing and nonprofit communications. At a literary agency, I assisted acquiring new authors and learned the ins and outs of the publishing process from manuscript submissions to distribution deals. Through this experience, I gained fascination with bringing creative works to wider audiences but also saw the demanding pressures of the commercial publishing world. My internship at a refugee advocacy nonprofit, meanwhile, involved creating social media campaigns, newsletters and web content to spread their mission. Here, I discovered a passion for strategic communications and using storytelling to promote important social causes.
Reflecting now, these internship experiences were incredibly valuable in helping me gain hands-on skills while also clarifying what I most enjoyed. Being immersed in the publishing industry up close showed me career possibilities but also realities I was less interested in long term, like intense competition and profit pressures. By contrast, the nonprofit communications role allowed me to directly apply my interests in writing, campaigning and promoting justice issues in a supportive, mission-focused environment. Through real-world practice paired with self-reflection, I learned that a career serving social causes through strategy and storytelling most resonated with my values and strengths. My internships proved vital for exploring work environments, defining what motivates me, and narrowing my professional direction. Looking back, taking on these roles while in school set me up tremendously well for my next step of living and working abroad.
A Year Studying and Working in Amsterdam
Following my internships, I yearned to further broaden my horizons through international experience before settling on a specific career path. I applied and was accepted to a prestigious design school in Amsterdam, where I studied visual communication and cultural theory for a year. Living abroad as a student opened my eyes tremendously, as I immersed myself in another culture and language while continuing to build skills through rigorous coursework and collaborative projects. Professors encouraged experimentation across disciplines like graphic novels, documentary films and social practice art. My time in Amsterdam also included a part-time role helping with communications at a local business incubation hub, providing mentoring and resources for startups.
My year abroad was nothing short of transformative. Not only did I gain a near-fluency in Dutch, but living independently in another country pushed me far outside my comfort zone in the best possible ways. Experiencing different perspectives and ways of thinking creatively expanded what I believed possible. Witnessing the startup scene showed me new models for social entrepreneurship. Most profoundly, being fully immersed in another culture encouraged me to continually challenge my own views and assumptions, fostering greater open-mindedness, adaptability and appreciation for complexity. Returning home, I felt surer than ever that I wanted a career immersed in cultural exchange on a global scale. My international experience has stayed with me ever since, infusing my work with a spirit of curiosity, exploration and cultural understanding.
Joining the Communications Team at a Global Health Nonprofit
Following my year in Amsterdam, I began searching for roles applying strategic communications and multimedia storytelling to promote positive social change. With experience in both the publishing and nonprofit sectors, a particular opening stood out—a position on the communications team at an international health organization working in refugee communities globally. I was thrilled to join such a meaningful mission, using skills developed through my various experiences.
Two years into this role, I can say it has been profoundly rewarding but also offered continual opportunities for growth through self-reflection. Being part of a diverse, mission-driven team tackling urgent global health crises with care, rigor and cultural sensitivity has been inspiring. Strategizing communications campaigns across many countries and developing touching multimedia stories of resilience from the field push me creatively and keep me deeply engaged. At the same time, operating in sometimes stressful humanitarian contexts presents regular occasions to check my assumptions, question my worldview and adapt to different cultural needs through open-minded listening. Regular self-evaluation helps ensure I approach each community and situation with empathy, care and respect.
Moving Forward with Gratitude and Openness
Reflecting on my education and career path so far, I feel immense gratitude for the diverse experiences, mentors and challenges which have shaped me. From studying literature to living abroad, my journey has been anything but direct—and all the richer for it. While the road ahead holds uncertainties, looking back gives me confidence that each step, even mistakes, helped clarify my direction and build resilience. Most of all, a spirit of openness, curiosity and continual self-reflection will surely help me grow into roles promoting justice, cultural exchange and human dignity on a global scale. With appreciation for the guidance of mentors, support of loved ones, and gifts of diverse perspectives along the way, I look to the future energized to keep learning, challenging biases and using my skills and privileges to uplift others.
Andrew Stroud