Faculty Shout-out by Steve Rachman
Lily is a truly engaged student of pop culture. She is a thoughtful participant in class who writes smart papers. She created a really interesting project on changing consumption habits and popular music with a focus on the alternative music scene (artists such as The Arctic Monkeys, Lana Del Rey, and Lizzie McAlpine.) With this focus, she created a survey about how music has shaped the identity of the consumer. Her conclusions were subtle, and she considered the impact of the pandemic and the subsequent return of live music. It was a great project and I wish her success.
How would you describe your time as an English or Film Studies major at MSU?
You know, some people might see earning an English degree as impractical or even unrealistic. I’ll admit—at one point, I thought the same. But looking back on the past four years, I’m overwhelmed with gratitude. Every morning, I woke up genuinely excited to go to class, knowing my perspectives would be challenged, my beliefs open to change, and my mind constantly engaged. Anyone can tell a story—but only few can tell it well. And what a privilege it is to be among those few.
Which classes, instructors, or experiences particularly stand out for you and why? How did they prepare you for the next phase of your life?
I do not think I would be the student I am today if it hadn’t been for the multiple courses I have taken with Professor Tim Conrad—apologies to Tim for dealing with my disruptive opinions time and time again. Tim has taught me to always be curious and to keep asking questions because anything and everything can be a story.
What advice would you give future English or Film Studies majors, based on your experiences in the department?
Keep an open mind. Be curious. Make mistakes. Almost none of that is possible in another major. No, you’re not going to make as much money writing stories or teaching as your business major roommate, but the work you are doing and the things you are learning are important.
What coursework-related projects were/are you working on this year, and what interests or excites you about them? (capstone courses, honors thesis, independent studies, etc.)
For the past 8 months I had the opportunity to be apart of both the fall and spring editorial staff for this years issue of the Red Cedar Review. As a sneak-peek into the literary publishing world, this course opened my eyes to the possibilities of how my career could take shape in the future. We have worked so hard reading and re-reading, editing, designing, and carefully crafting this issue to be the best it can be, and I just feel so grateful to have been apart of it.
What are your hopes and aspirations, post-graduation?
The question, ‘and what do you plan to do with that?’ that routinely comes after sharing your major with a family member, friend, doctor, etc. is something I can bet most English majors can relate to. My default answer has always been a sarcastic, ‘Great question!’ which typically begs some confused faces and uncomfortable laughs—especially from my grandparents. Today, my answer still remains the same. (Sorry grandma and grandpa) As of now, my post-graduation plans consist of traveling and studying abroad in London where perhaps I will finally find an answer to that daunting question before launching myself into the real world.