From the dusty farmlands of West Texas to the rolling hills of Scotland, my weird winding path of education and career choices led me to the University of Stirling’s MLitt in Publishing Studies Program.

I had always toyed with the idea of pursuing publishing, but it took a few years for me to realize that it would be the ideal career choice for me. After graduating from Lubbock Christian University with a BA in English in 2012, I felt uncertain about my desire to obtain a master’s degree, so I made the decision to move to Italy where I spent three months volunteering. Upon returning to Texas, I ascended into a short journalism career. I took on a position as a Digital Content Producer with KCBD NewsChannel 11 in Lubbock, Texas for a year. While at KCBD I edited reporter’s articles, wrote breaking news stories, assisted in managing the station’s social media accounts, and other various related tasks. I was also appointed by the station’s news director to speak at the Texas Association of Broadcasters’ Broadcast Newsroom Workshop held at Texas Tech University in 2014. In this special session I was joined by a reporter from a fellow news station in discussing how we landed our first jobs in broadcasting.

I then transitioned from KCBD to Lubbock Christian University where I took on a position as Web Journalist/Online Marketer in the university’s marketing and communications department. It was my duty to write and post news articles online, manage the university’s social media accounts, edit and contribute articles to the university’s bi-annual magazine, and much more. Working at LCU provided me with numerous memorable opportunities such as meeting with and interviewing C.S. Lewis’ stepson, Douglas Gresham, and the McFarland family, who were featured in Disney’s 2015 film McFarland, USA. I also tried my hand at hosting two radio shows while I was at LCU. My first show, Rhyme and Rhythm, featured jazz and blues with poetry readings in between sets while my second show, The Weekly Spin, featured alternative music along with interviews with local Lubbock musicians.

Needless to say, each experience provided me with knowledge and skills I’ve been able to carry beyond office corridors. However, I knew it was time for me to return to school and obtain a master’s degree. After much thought and consideration, paired with my adoration of business and books, I concluded that publishing studies was the best pick for me. My decision boiled down to Boston or Stirling, but the decision was a simple one. Stirling had won me over. Here’s to another winding path I’m sure will provide countless experiences that will help propel me forward in my future career and endeavors.