Column: Opportunities outside of the classroom and Sigma Tau Delta
Academic organizations and professional development opportunities can play a large role in a student’s undergraduate experience, offering opportunities that extend far beyond the classroom. Through Sigma Tau Delta, Kaylee Jo Stocks, a student studying English and economics at Utah State University, has found community, developed skills she can use later in her career and discovered where her true passion lies: experiences that mirror my own in seeking career opportunities outside of our undergraduate classrooms.
Sigma Tau Delta is the international English Honors Society, where Stocks serves as the junior student adviser in the Far Western Region.
“It’s basically a place for students — English majors and minors — to come together, share what they love and learn more about English,” Stocks said. “Every year, they put on a convention, which is basically like a conference where you can share your own work, meet different authors and hear from them.”
Stocks discussed how her position in the club has helped her with opportunities not only currently but in her career to come.
“I’m a double major, and for a while, I thought I’d go down a more economics-based career path, but honestly, because of my experiences in the English society, I’ve learned that English is my passion,” Stocks said. “It’s what I love, and I wouldn’t really want to do anything else. I’m glad I have my other major, but my current plan is to hopefully get into publishing or a similar field after I graduate.”
One other benefit Stocks pointed out was the chance to network and meet new people.
“It’s been really nice to meet new people and work with them in that way, especially because I never would have met them otherwise,” she said.
Getting involved isn’t always easy, but in Stocks’ experience, it has been worth it.
“I’d say just go for it. My freshman year I wasn’t involved in much because I was nervous, but I pushed myself out of my comfort zone,” she said. “I’m so grateful I did — I’ve had so many opportunities since then. I think that applies to anyone in any major. You just have to put yourself out there.”
Professional development opportunities are not unique to the English department. While it can sometimes feel inaccessible to students in the arts and humanities, there are opportunities for extra learning outside the classroom in many majors and departments at Utah State.
Getting involved in these sorts of professional development activities has helped me shape my undergraduate path and career trajectory and continues to offer me hope for a future working in a field where I can feel fulfilled in my work.
I have the opportunity to attend a professional development event this year with other students from my program: the Society for Photographic Education conference. I will share my portfolio for critique, learn from people who are currently making work in the field and network with my peers in different programs. I’m incredibly excited for the extra opportunity to learn and experience what it will be like to be a graduate student and working professional in my field.
One of the things I am most excited about is hearing from one of the photographers who is currently making work that inspires me. At the SPE conference, I will get the chance to ask questions about her work in person, which isn’t an opportunity I ever thought I would have.
For students outside of the English program looking for professional development opportunities and academic organizations, a good place to start is within your own department or college. Social media pages often have opportunities for students, so that can be a jumping-off point.
For English major or minor students interested in getting involved with Sigma Tau Delta or learning more information, contact Kaylee Jo Stocks at a02356272@usu.edu.