What did you learn from your time at UGA?

At one point a few years ago, I found myself losing my language skills after not using them for some time, but I was determined not to give up. What was instilled in me while in college came flooding back and in no time, I was back in action! At UGA so much of my learning came from the full immersion I experienced in the classroom. I remember thinking some of my classes were silly such as the History of Coins and French Rap but once I completed these courses, I came to value the depth of education these classes provided. Outside of the classroom I was an active member at the LGBT Resource Center and served as an ambassador for a year. This time was formative for me as it helped shape my leadership skills and my people skills. All in all, my time at UGA was crucial for my life and language skills. Not only did I pick up on how best to acquire a new language, but I also learned so much rich history and world events leading to my love of international affairs. 

Did you know what kind of career you wanted when you were in school?

I had an idea but it was ever changing. All I knew is that I wanted to be involved in global affairs. Music is another love of mine so I pondered equally on the idea of blending the two. 

How did you get to your current position? Was your path linear or more of a winding path? 

My path was far from linear. I actually started my career in car insurance and shortly after, COVID struck. This dramatically changed my plans but I haven’t given up. I’m currently working for a global software company and hope to soon pick back up on my previous graduate degree studies so that I can continue progressing in my career. I am also a dog trainer on the side and await the moment in which I receive a French speaking client! 

Regarding your current position, what do you do? 

I am an implementation specialist for a global software company. I guide dealerships in the US and Canada through onboarding and conduct trainings in French for new clients to learn the software. 

Do you have a chance to incorporate your language knowledge into your work? 

Yes! Everyday. I am the only French speaker on my team and in the Atlanta office in which I work. Being that we have lots of Quebecois clients, my language is used on a daily basis sometimes as an assist to other teams.  

What do you like most about your job? 

I really enjoy my teammates. They bring so much joy into my work. Also, I’m learning a lot about Canadian culture and Quebecois as a language. For example: they speak French/Quebecois in certain parts of Ontario and Newfoundland. I had no idea! 

What are your future plans and goals? 

I want to finish my master’s degree in International Affairs with a concentration in technology of some sort; perhaps cybersecurity. After that, I would like to see where it could take me in my current company as they too are expanding their global footprint. I would love to have a helping hand in that expansion.  

What advice do you have for our undergraduates? 

Work hard to maintain your current foreign language because it can be a challenge to find others who are as fluent as you to help you practice. But they are out there! Network and find community with and for your chosen language(s) and please please travel out of the country whenever possible! Doing so really proves to you where you are in your foreign language journey but also, reveals how connected some languages and cultures can be.  

Is there anything else you want to add? 

Add something additional to your language skills if you haven’t already such as computer knowledge, government knowledge, risk mitigation, and even teaching! This will open so many more doors for you and you will be a superstar everywhere you go.