Sophia Ehlers

Major: English Literature and Human Resources

How would you describe your time as an English or Film Studies major at MSU?

At MSU, I really was able to focus on what I loved…reading, writing, and analyzing things. I love writing essays (I wrote so many, on such a vast array of topics), and I adore the MSU English department. My curiosities and visions, whether that be from literature interpretations at hand, or theories and questions that popped into my head from books and excerpts, were always supported by the faculty. They genuinely seemed interested in what I had to say, because they themselves are very open to new perspectives and things they may not have thought of before. I was treated as an equal–my ideas and opinions were taken into account and engaged with. I don’t think my experience would have been the same had I been surrounded by less open-minded and knowledgeable professors and classmates.

Which classes, instructors, or experiences particularly stand out for you and why? How did they prepare you for the next phase of your life?

The ones that particularly stood out were Stephen Rachman’s ENG 473A Literature and Medicine Capstone, Cara Cilano’s ENG 362 Studies in Modern/Contemporary Literature, Natalie Phillip’s ENG 457 Seminar in 18th-Century British Literature, Kathryn Houghton’s WRA 480 Publication Management, and Professor William Johnsen’s ENG 316 Readings in Irish Literature. All the books read in ENG 362 were educational as well as engaging, but my favorite one was nearing the end of the semester, when we read “The Night Sister” by Jennifer McMahon — nomadic lifestyles and women-centered narratives are not the norm, so it was brilliant to see this included in the syllabus. At the end of the semester, Professor Cilano brought a long brown paper scroll to class, where every student could sign their name, add a few words, or draw a picture — the scroll was representing a character, Sylvie, and her obsession with holding onto every newspaper and flyer she had, every inkling of a memory she refused to let go of. The course 473A had a project at the end of the semester where we got to pick a specialized theme in heath and disease, and I chose bipolar disorder as my topic, where I ended up writing a paper on Kay Redfield Jamison’s novel, turning in a multi-layer paper collage art piece as well. The subsequent paper for the project was later brought up during my own interview process for The State News, which reflected on my ability to cover and write about sensitive topics. It helped me land the job, where I now work as a reporter. I would say each of these classes, despite being very different from each other, gave me the insight to see that my chaotic and seemingly unrelated topics for papers weren’t unrelated at all, and that, as long as I connected points together and had enough supporting evidence, I could successfully write in a way that was true to myself while still remaining professional. I always knew that essays are different from traditional exams, where there is only one right answer, but my time at MSU really emphasized that difference in the best way, and fostered creativity. I really came to value how unique my papers and writing style were in my undergraduate experience, like an individual fingerprint. I entered into college with raw writing talent (or so I’d been told I had that talent my whole life), but did not necessarily know how to harness it, and I credit MSU English classes for passing the skills and abilities onto me for refining my written voice, and giving me my current confidence and creative freedom through words. Additionally, and perhaps most importantly, I learned that my writing does resonate with people, and that it is a wonderful thing. No matter what happens post-graduation, I will have multiple class experiences to look back on fondly. I recall always making my roommates listen to my tales of what happened in classes, or report to them on the amazing things my professors were doing, or give a synopsis on what my own latest project or paper was. Perhaps my next project should be me writing a book covering all of my English class experiences at MSU, because I truly could go on for hours!

What advice would you give future English or Film Studies majors, based on your experiences in the department?

Without a doubt, I would say connect with professors and classmates! Making new friends and having friends who share similar interests can enhance one’s university experience so much. It is always better to risk being “cringe” by being true to yourself rather than looking back and realizing you never put yourself out there. Oh, and don’t wait to write your essays the night before they’re due! Don’t be afraid to share what you’re thinking–the faculty really not only encourages curiosity, but values it at every turn. Above all else, I would recommend taking advantage of events the university hosts — there are poetry readings, book author lectures and visits, and my personal favorite of the CAL events: this semester, a radio host and MSU alumni from Michigan Public visited campus to give a talk, which I actually reported on for The State News. It might seem scary to go to these events alone, but ask a classmate if they want to go, or strike up a conversation with someone there! There are also leadership opportunities, some of which can be seen in Sigma Tau Delta, the English Honors Society, where there is a committee to get involved with for the hosting of certain events and participating in outreach.

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.)

I had two capstones this academic year for each of my respective degrees. I valued the English one because the class was small, so we became a tight-knit group, and I’d had the professor two years earlier (shoutout Dr. Lam!). For my Human Resources capstone, there was heavy involvement in human capital theory, a lot of sharing and discussion around HR policies, hypothetical implementation of those policies, and labor law. Both capstones involved a lot of writing and presenting — so that crossover between the two majors was interesting to reflect on. Additionally, I had a Public and Professional Writing class last semester, a Publication Workshop that actually gave me experiential learning credit for my English degree. It passed on rather valuable article writing and editing experience, and even gave me more familiarity with marketing and social media management. I am really proud of my work for that class, particularly when thinking back on my article that was published in January, an ode to a familiar house.

What are your hopes and aspirations, post-graduation?

There are too many hopes and aspirations to make a neat list out of — I could never narrow them down to just one or two things! I have multiple bucket list items I hope to accomplish, and I’m optimistic that whatever happens next will be fulfilling. I wish to continue reporting and being active in journalism, not unlike what I am doing now for The State News. At some point, I may work in HR for a business involved in the arts, including visual arts, museums, dance, or music. I also hope to play a part in ecological and water conservation (through any means, but likely writing and reporting), to better our planet, and make the public aware of local and global environmental issues. Someday down the road, I may enroll in a graduate program — I’ll have to see where the road takes me. I tend to embrace change as it arrives, and oftentimes, I seek out the change myself. I cannot wait to see what this next chapter of life has in store for me!