Career Compass: German and Slavic Studies

Briefly, tell us about your job. What do you find most rewarding? What are your greatest challenges within this profession?

I currently work in the Library Archives and Information Management field. I am drawn to this field because I enjoy connecting people to the information they are looking for. Whether it is a book to read for leisure, a relative’s records in an archive or connecting a researcher to articles published in their subject, it is incredibly rewarding to use search skills to empower people in their learning. I enjoy considering the challenging questions surrounding the topics of information access, privacy and articulating the importance of libraries and memory institutions.

What experiences and activities helped you to map out your career pathway?

During a project in my undergraduate degree I was tasked with finding a review of a film from the 1930’s. I visited the mircofilm section of the library and had the most incredible librarian help me find my resources. During this experience I realized that the hunt for information could be a career. Information can be conveyed through so many different ways – image, text, audio -and having a second language can impact how the content of the various mediums is perceived. My undergraduate degree in German prepared me to think critically and creatively and gave me an opportunity to develop my soft skills in a supportive and challenging environment.

As a student, did you see yourself in your current career? What stayed the same and/or changed?

I decided early in my undergraduate degree that I wanted to pursue a Master in Library and Information studies. This program doesn’t require a specific undergraduate degree, which allowed me to focus my undergraduate experience to prepare me for further education and career.

What advice do you have for students who are interested in pursuing a degree in german and slavic studies?

I would encourage people to think beyond the work/travel or literary opportunities that the German program can offer. Getting a degree in another language can impact how you understand the world around you and can increase sensitivity to other cultures but also help you gain access to information that may otherwise have been imperceptible.

What job search advice do you have for students and recent graduates?

Build relationships and do not discard opportunities that may not seem to directly fit into where you think you’re going. Down the road that professor or peer you connected with may have the connection to bring you closer to your goal. The job market is difficult and thinking creatively about how the skills you learn in your undergrad can be applied is going to make you a strong scholar and employee.

Tell us a fun fact about your career path.

A fun fact is that I have no idea where I’m headed next!

Briefly, tell us about your job. What do you find most rewarding? What are your greatest challenges within this profession?

I am currently employed by the University of Waterloo, where I am also pursuing a Master of Arts in Intercultural German Studies. My job is to assist those in the German department with various tasks, such as grading assignments, monitoring online language courses and collecting and organizing data for the department’s website. What I find most rewarding about this job is the opportunity to use and improve my German language skills. The greatest challenge is assisting others with their language learning—at times multiple teaching strategies must be employed in order for a student to have an “aha” moment.

What experiences and activities helped you to map out your career pathway?

I grew up in an area of Winnipeg where many individuals speak German or have German ancestry. This led to me attending a German bilingual program throughout most of my younger years. However, it wasn’t until I enrolled in German language courses at the university level that I began to develop a passion for the language itself, as well as the culture. I began to recognize the doors that knowing another language would open for me. I no longer imagined having career opportunities in Canada but also in Germany. I talked to the head of the department about what I needed to do to improve my language usage, attend university in Germany and continue on in academia. I am incredibly grateful that I was indeed given the advice I needed to do all these things.

As a student, did you see yourself in your current career? What stayed the same and/or changed?

I always knew that I wanted to work within the realm of academia and education. However, as I continue my studies, I find that I am constantly contemplating new careers and areas of study to pursue.

What advice do you have for students who are interested in pursuing a degree in german and slavic studies?

If you have even an inkling of interest in German language, culture or history, do not hesitate to pursue this degree. The skills and knowledge that you will acquire during your studies will prove invaluable to you, not only in your career, but also in your day-to-day life. I have learned to think critically, communicate effectively and expanded my intercultural competence. Also, reach out to faculty members in the department and engage them in a meaningful conversation about what you hope to accomplish in your studies, academically or professionally. Their knowledge can prove invaluable to pointing you in the direction you want to go.

What job search advice do you have for students and recent graduates?

Be flexible and take chances. Consider taking a job that requires you to relocate to a different neighbourhood, province or country. Moreover, apply to jobs that may be slightly outside of what you might deem to be your skill set. The challenges presented in these situations will only prove to be meaningful learning experiences.

Tell us a fun fact about your career path.

As a result of my studies, I’ve managed to spend a considerable amount of time living and studying in Germany. Fully immersing myself in the culture there made me question a number of the beliefs I held about myself and my identity as a Canadian. It became clear to me, during this time spent abroad, that my future life and career plans could involve living outside of Canada—a somewhat frightening but thrilling thought.