"...I think studying a language makes me a more critical thinker and more open minded as a teammate. Working through the grammatical puzzles of French has helped me work through complex problems in my role."
Major(s) and Certificate(s): Majors in French & English, Certificate in European Studies (BA); Professional French Master’s Program
Language(s): French
Graduation Year: 2016 (BA), 2019 (MA)
What motivated you to study this/these languages?
Like a lot of people, I started taking French in middle school. I was initially drawn to French for the culture, but was immediately fascinated by the grammar once I started learning. After a humbling stay with a French host family in high school, I came to UW ready for the challenge. In my first semester, my TA recommended the yearlong program in Aix-en-Provence – I knew I had to go. The total immersion in the language and culture was eye opening and motivated me to keep learning and exploring.
What do you remember about your UW language classes? How were they different from other classes you took?
Especially as a French major, I loved being in the classroom with other students who were as dedicated to and fascinated by French as I was. As I advanced in the French major, the small classes allowed for deeper discussions and more participation which I loved. I also appreciated the variety in topics, allowing me to explore both literature and language. As an English major, I loved the added challenge of reading and writing in French. Taking literature and linguistic classes in both languages allowed me to take a comparative approach to both the coursework itself and my own journey as a student. When I returned to UW for the Professional French Master’s Program (PFMP), I was able to take all that I learned and apply it to the professional world.
How valuable were your out-of-classroom experiences? How did they add to your undergraduate experience/coursework?
I really believe that my choice to study abroad changed the course of my life and opened so many doors for me, both professionally and personally in the future. Study abroad showed me not only what it was like to live in France, but to live my life in French. I was able to meet close friends from UW and have more immersive experiences with the locals. I came back to UW with real life experience to draw from in my coursework. My time in Aix made me a more curious, adventurous, and confident French student. After returning, I participated in BRIDGE my senior year where I made close friends from around the world. Finally, as part of the PFMP, I interned in France which set the course for my career in the years to come
What have you done in a professional capacity since graduating from UW-Madison?
After graduating from undergrad, I returned to France with the Teaching Assistant Program in France (TAPIF) working in a small town high school in the Bordeaux region. I then came back to UW for the PFMP, which included an internship at a small (but quickly growing!) wine export agent in Paris. My connections at my internship led me to Charleston, South Carolina where I worked for one of my internship’s distributor clients. After a year in Charleston, the pandemic took a toll on the wine industry. I shifted gears and moved to Chicago to work for Business France, which is part of the French government. There, I worked with North American companies in the food and agribusiness industries looking to expand their business to France. I scouted leads, met with executives, and helped match them with French regional agencies to get set up. After leaving that role, I joined Workiva, a tech company in the financial reporting and auditing space, as a Customer Success Manager, supporting both American and francophone customers in Quebec.
What are ways, either expected or unexpected, that your language study has benefited you in your career?
My language studies have guided me both directly and indirectly in my career! My studies led me directly to TAPIF and my PFMP internship in Paris. Working in Paris opened my eyes to the wine industry, in which my French skills were highly beneficial. The French language also led me directly to Business France. As an American who spoke French, I had a unique perspective on both business cultures and communication, which was a huge advantage for both the North American companies and regional partners in France. Now, at Workiva, I’m able to use my language skills both directly and indirectly. I work with a handful of Francophone customers in Quebec, so being able to communicate with them in French and English makes our relationship simpler and stronger. Indirectly, I think studying a language makes me a more critical thinker and more open minded as a teammate. Working through the grammatical puzzles of French has helped me work through complex problems in my role. I’m a more curious and avid learner because of my language studies, which makes me excited about new challenges and learning opportunities at Workiva.
How have you maintained or improved your language(s) since graduation?
I’ve been fortunate that I’ve been able to maintain my French through my professional roles. I have also visited France several times since graduating, which is a wonderful refresh. I like to follow French news sources and creators on social media to get a small daily dose of French, and read books in French from time to time.
What advice do you have for students who are studying language(s) about how to incorporate their interests and skills into their future goals?
I would say that studying a foreign language has huge advantages in the workforce – bilingualism is a skill that many companies search for! Don’t be afraid to check out the tech industry or industries not directly related to the language you studied. I would encourage students to explore any avenues that interest them. As a student, I had no idea that there would be a place for me in tech but my French skills got my foot in the door at Workiva. Studying a language prepares you to be a more well-rounded teammate, a critical thinker, and a clear communicator, all of which are indispensable traits in the professional world.