Rebecca Stout

After graduating from Calvin University in 2013 with a degree in English, I went on to complete a Master of Library and Information Science degree at Wayne State University. 

Today, I am a youth librarian at a small public library in Metro Detroit, where I develop collections and plan literacy and learning events for kids ages 0–18. My role at the library evolved over time. About two months after graduating from Wayne State, I began working part-time at my current library while also taking on other part-time and substitute work at libraries across the area. About six years ago, my position was converted into a full-time role, which improved both my personal stability and my ability to provide more and better service to the community. 

Moving from an English major into a career can take more creativity, exploration, and self-reflection than some more defined majors, but there are also many possibilities. Stories, words, narratives, writing, language, and literacy are everywhere. If you enjoy working with those things, there are plenty of careers that allow you to keep doing so in meaningful ways.