"[My language classes] allowed me to consider new ideas, have insightful conversations with like-minded students, opened me up to life changing literature and were ultimately the classes I ended up looking forward to each week."
Major(s) and Certificate(s): Supply Chain & Marketing, Portuguese
Language(s): Portuguese
Graduation Year: 2018
What motivated you to study this/these languages?
A love for languages and desire to pursue language adjacent careers post graduation.
What do you remember about your UW language classes? How were they different from other classes you took?
They were fun! They allowed me to consider new ideas, have insightful conversations with like-minded students, opened me up to life changing literature and were ultimately the classes I ended up looking forward to each week.
How valuable were your out-of-classroom experiences? How did they add to your undergraduate experience/coursework?
The language community and international community of UW Madison became my community throughout college. It laid the foundation for friendships that still persist today.
What have you done in a professional capacity since graduating from UW-Madison?
I worked as a project manager at Epic for two years. Worked as a business consultant for two. And now I work for a healthcare technology firm in Chicago as an implementation manager.
What are ways, either expected or unexpected, that your language study has benefited you in your career?
My language study hasn’t had a direct impact on my career, but indirectly it has simply helped me connect with clients who range from a wide variety of backgrounds. Clients at my company come from all across the United States and with that they bring unique personalities and perspectives. Language studies has helped me to be open minded to unique approaches and find connection with people who may see things from a completely distinct perspective from my own.
How have you maintained or improved your language(s) since graduation?
Yes. Mostly maintained through international friendships.
What advice do you have for students who are studying language(s) about how to incorporate their interests and skills into their future goals?
Stay open minded and remember that language study serves more than just a practical purpose.