"My language classes were always my favorites, so I'm extremely grateful that something that brings me so much joy is also able to support my career."
Major(s) and Certificate(s): German
Language(s): German
Graduation Year: 2017
What motivated you to study these languages?
The desire to expand my world! I loved the friends that I met in school from Germany, and wanted to experience what their life was like.
What do you remember about your UW language classes? How were they different from other classes you took?
That I enjoyed them so very much! My professors were excellent, and I had a great time with my classmates. A lot of my classmates and I enjoyed speaking German so much that it became our main common interest and bond.
How valuable were your out-of-classroom experiences? How did they add to your undergraduate experience/coursework?
Finding the UW German Club was an awesome spot to share my passion and interest for the German language. I met so many new friends, and I really enjoyed our Stammtisch meetings in the Rathskeller!
What have you done in a professional capacity since graduating from UW-Madison?
After graduating from UW-Madison, I went to Bemidji, Minnesota, to teach high school credit at Concordia Language Villages’ German location, Waldsee. Regardless of the language that you speak, CLV has amazing summer job opportunities, where you’ll be able to put your foreign language skills to good use! It was a great opportunity for me right out of school. If you’re looking for something where you can dip your toes in the water with teaching, languages, and pedagogy, this is the place for you!
Through Waldsee, I found the Twin Cities German Immersion School in Saint Paul, Minnesota. I taught there as a Kindergarten teacher for four years. The immersion experience in a large metro area like the Twin Cities was a lot of fun, and I had the opportunity to teach younger students as well.
These days, I teach high school German at Wayland Academy, an international, college-prep boarding school that’ s not too far away from Madison. I’m lucky to teach students from all around the world, with lots of diverse perspectives and language backgrounds. It’s the place where I initially began to become interested in German, so I’ve come full-circle!
What are ways, either expected or unexpected, that your language study has benefited you in your career?
My language study at UW-Madison made my entire career possible! My language classes were always my favorites, so I’m extremely grateful that something that brings me so much joy is also able to support my career.
How have you maintained or improved your language(s) since graduation?
Since my job revolves around speaking and teaching German, it keeps my language skills sharp. After graduating, I’ve started to branch out to study other languages in addition to my L2.
What advice do you have for students who are studying language(s) about how to incorporate their interests and skills into their future goals?
Utilize, cultivate, and foster the skills and interests that you have — when you love what you do, goals come easier and can be fulfilled more often!