When people hear that I’m a French and English double major,
they usually ask me what I’m going to do after college. They also like to try
to answer for me: they ask, “Do you want to teach?” For some reason the only
thing that comes to mind when they think of English and French is education.
And I can’t really blame them. For most Americans, the extent of their exposure
to literature or foreign language is restricted to their experience as high
school students, and therefore their high school teachers. But it’s exactly this kind of limited perspective that I want
to avoid as I grow up.
So, back to their question: what am I going to do? I’ve
spent a lot of time thinking about that question myself. To be honest, I’m not
entirely sure. As much as I love French, I am loathe to think of myself as a
sharp enough listener to be a verbal translator. I have a long road to fluency
ahead of me, and I want to be 100% confident in my speaking skill before I try
to use my French professionally. That means translation is off the table – for the
time being.
Then there’s English. Writing is a part of me, and I believe
that I can use it to my advantage in any career I want. The thing about English
that I think is too often overlooked is the importance of clear and effective communication.
Having someone who can communicate important and nuanced messages between
parties is vital to everyone’s success. I want to be the person who manages
that communication to make sure everyone understands what’s going on. As much
as I day dream about being a wildly successful and widely acclaimed novelist, I
also believe I have an important role to play as a communicator.
I’m not a perfect communicator. I keep secrets. I intentionally mask my
feelings through sarcasm and body language. I became instantly embarrassed last
semester when one of my departments’ secretary commented on my tone regarding a
certain professor. I knew I had to speak about him respectfully, but I was so
fed up with him that I couldn’t help but indirectly express my annoyance. It’s
better than blurting out everything that’s on my mind, but it can be just as
inappropriate.
Managing how and what I communicate has been a struggle for
me for as long as I remember. The number of times my parents and other
relatives have suggested that I take something down from Facebook or my old
blog are a testament to just how hot headed I can be. Over time I’ve learned to
think more carefully before I speak and post, often saving myself from embarrassment.
Sometimes, though, I over censor myself by hiding my thoughts and feelings from
people that matter to me and deserve to have at least the occasional honest
peak inside my mind. I’m on a quest to find balance in what and how much I
communication, and the process of adequately censoring myself is an integral
part of my continual growth as a communicator.
If you don’t believe I’m a communicator, ask yourself what
kind of person would write five paragraphs about being one. On a Saturday night.
For fun. The answer? Not many.
Still – what do I want to do as a communicator? I'm still not sure, but I'll share a few of my ideas next time.
Playlist
Boston, Augustana
Thunder, Boys Like
Girls
Go the Distance, Roger
Bart in Hercules
Nice Job Matt!!
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