Language and Literature to Host Career Connection Event Sept. 16

September 14, 2021

The Division of Language and Literature will host a Career Connection event Thursday, Sept. 16, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. in the Cargill Advancement and Alumni Center, located north of MacArthur and east of Taylor Residence Center on the OBU campus in Shawnee. The event is designed for all OBU students who are curious about possible career options with a major or minor in one of the division’s programs.

This is the Division of Language and Literature’s first time to host this event, with hopes of establishing it as an annual event. The concept was born out of conversations between Dr. Brent Newsom, chair of the Division of Language and Literature and associate professor of English, and OBU President Dr. Heath A. Thomas.

Often, students or their parents wonder what types of careers are available with a degree or minor in language, literature or writing. The goal of this event is to show current students a variety of things they might do with a major or minor in English, English education, creative writing, TESOL (teaching English as a second or foreign language), Spanish or professional writing and editing.

Such opportunities will be showcased through successful Language and Literature alumni attending the event. They will discuss their careers in law, education, business, communications, non-profit organizations, library services and more.

“By bringing some of these alumni to interact with students, I hope students gain a sharper vision of their future possibilities,” Newsom said. “I also hope some students who haven’t yet chosen a major will be drawn to our program offerings.”

Featured alumni attending the event will include Peggy Cook, 1981 graduate in English and Shawnee Public Library branch manager, and Evan Chambers, 2009 graduate in English now working as an attorney for Hartzog Conger Cason in Oklahoma City.

Special guests also include Jessica Dickinson, 2016 graduate in English education, a teacher at Capitol Hill High School in Oklahoma City, and Madalyn Peck, a 2020 graduate in multilingual communication with a TESOL minor, currently a graduate student in linguistics and a graduate teaching assistant at Oklahoma State University.

Newsom is excited to host the event and encourages interested students to come.

“Students who are unsure of their major, or unsure of what they can do with their major, should attend the Language and Literature Career Connection to be inspired to dream of possibilities,” he said. “This is also a great opportunity to make connections with local alumni and begin thinking about life after OBU. Students should know the skills they gain from studying literature, writing and languages are valuable to a variety of employers."

Dress for the event will be business casual and hors d’oeuvres will be provided for attendants. Students are asked to RSVP by Sept. 15.

Learn more about the Division of Language and Literature at OBU.