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"As to your question. . .What did I do with my BA. in American Studies?. . . I’ve pursued a career in publishing. I have been a research editor (fact-checker), a writer and an editor on staff at two different magazines. I now work as a freelance writer, editor and researcher. I’m in my third year of freelancing and I LOVE it. I’ve written for many publications including the New York Times syndicate, PC Computing, FamilyPC, FamilyLife, and FamilyFun. I also write for Web sites such as ZDNET, CNET, cliffsnotes.com and KBkids.com. And I did a piece last year for National Public Radio. This winter, I’m working mainly as an editor. I’m the Features Editor at KBkids.com, and the Features Editor for the Computer and Internet sections of the IDGBooks Web site, cliffsnotes.com (which we launched in November). I assign and edit more than a dozen stories each month, and then I code them in HTML. My work has given me the opportunity to travel around the U.S. and explore cities I had only read about. I’ve been to Seattle, Las Vegas, and Denver, most recently. In an odd turn of events, in my capacity as an online shopping (e-commerce) expert, I was recently hired as a spokesperson by Mastercard International, and have been doing television, print and radio interviews around the country. An odd experience, I must say. But they tell me I’m a natural. Who knew? I was also asked to be the spokesperson for KBkids.com, but I’m not certain that I’ll have time to take that on. So, in answer to the question, what does one do with an American Studies degree from Smith? Anything she wants. I have felt able to learn anything, research anything, negotiate with or interview anyone. My experience at the Smithsonian and at Smith encouraged me to be inquisitive, thorough, determined, and most of all, to write well, a skill which has served me mightily." |
