After five years in jobs from a prestigious law firm in San Francisco to a successful and fast-growing start-up Internet company in Boston, Kristen decided that her next position would be back in the classroom. Although it was a difficult decision to become a full-time student again, she believes her master's degree in the liberal arts has made her more competitive in her field, as well as giving her a greater sense of personal fulfillment. Since completing her graduate studies in English literature at Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut, Kristen works for the mayor of Hartford's special council to promote literacy in the city.
What is one of the biggest differences between your undergraduate and graduate experiences?
In graduate school, you form more solid relationships with mentors and professors. These intimate relationships better prepare you for the field. Also, you are surrounded by people from a variety of backgrounds and experiences, and it is a great place to network and make new and interesting connections.
Now that you are back in the job market, do you think your graduate degree in the liberal arts has given you an advantage?
Not only has my graduate degree made me more competitive in the job market, but I am more well-rounded in all aspects of my job, from working with people to being more mentally agile to adapting to different working styles. Graduate school was an all-around beneficial experience.
How has your liberal arts graduate degree influenced the work that you are doing now?
Graduate school gives you the theoretical background that you wouldn't get from the straight career path. The work you do for your master's degree also makes you a more efficient and effective employee. It's allowed me to approach projects and research assignments with a more comprehensive understanding of what could be done and what should be done on a more sophisticated level.
What was one of the greatest rewards from your time in graduate school?
I think it is just being exposed to others who have had a myriad of experiences; it exposes you to ideas and to new areas of your field—both academically and professionally.
Carlin Carr writes for the bimonthly magazine New England Watershed and for Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut. She received her B.A. from Mount Holyoke College and her M.A. from the National University of Ireland, Galway, and has taught English in Italy and the United States.
