🌿💚 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗔𝗹𝘂𝗺𝗻𝗶 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀: 𝗞𝗮𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗮 𝗕𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘁𝘆𝘁ė, 𝗔𝘆𝘀𝗲𝗹 𝗕𝗮𝘆𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗮 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗚𝗼𝗱𝗮 𝗞𝗮𝘇𝗮𝗸𝗮𝘂𝘀𝗸𝗮𝗶𝘁ė 💚🌿

💚🌿 This interview was made possible thanks to the kindness and generosity of 𝗞𝗮𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗮, 𝗔𝘆𝘀𝗲𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗚𝗼𝗱𝗮, who graciously agreed to share their stories with our community.

🌿💚 As a lovely reminder of where every journey begins, here are the BA theses they once wrote as students of English Philology:

🎓 𝗞𝗮𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗮 𝗕𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘁𝘆𝘁ė, Figurative Conceptualisation of Negative Emotions in Hanya Yanagihara's A Little Life; 𝗚𝗼𝗱𝗮 𝗞𝗮𝘇𝗮𝗸𝗮𝘂𝘀𝗸𝗮𝗶𝘁ė, Multimodal Metaphors in Social Advertisements on Environmental Awareness; 𝗔𝘆𝘀𝗲𝗹 𝗕𝗮𝘆𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗮, Metaphors in Western Political Leaders' Speeches on the Gaza Conflict: A Cognitive Linguistics Study.

🌿💚 Today, they continue to build inspiring professional careers that demonstrate just how transferable and valuable the knowledge and skills gained through English Philology can be.

🌿💚 We hope that Karolina's, Goda's and Aysel's stories will inspire those who are about to graduate next year, those who are just beginning to think about their future, and those who are considering becoming part of our community.

💚🌿 Welcome—and enjoy the interviews! 🌿💚

❤️🌹🌿What did your path look like from graduation to your current job? How many different jobs have you held along the way?

Karolina Benetytė: My path from graduation to my current job was fairly smooth. The role matched my background well, as they were looking for someone with a philology degree, a genuine love of languages, and an openness to learning new things.

Aysel Bayramova: My path was quite smooth, especially considering that the employer was looking for someone with a background in language philology. I hold a degree in English philology with a minor in Spanish, and I also speak several other languages, which made me a strong candidate for the position. Before that, I worked in a variety of roles, ranging from customer service in clothing stores to working as a translator and secretary at an embassy.

Goda Kazakauskaitė: My path from graduation to my current job wasn’t very long or too difficult. I went to a few interviews, but sometimes things wouldn’t work out, either for the employer or for me. Eventually, I found a job I am currently working in and started building a career. During my studies, I worked part-time jobs, and after graduating, I started on this career path and have stayed with it since.

❤️🌹🌿Which specific competencies gained during your studies are most useful in your current work?

Karolina Benetytė: Now, when I think about it, there are so many useful competencies that I gained during my studies. The most useful ones include advanced text analysis, stylistics, register awareness, tone control, research skills, and attention to detail.

Aysel Bayramova: The translation course was by far the most useful. We learned practical strategies, techniques, and “hacks” for translating between English and Lithuanian, many of which I still use today. The course also trained me to think critically about meaning, context, and nuance rather than translating mechanically.

Goda Kazakauskaitė: The most useful competencies I gained during my studies are critical thinking, strong English language skills, and communication. Studying English philology helped me analyze information, pay attention to details, and communicate clearly, which is very useful. These skills help me work effectively with both colleagues and clients daily.

❤️🌹🌿What skills are most valued in today’s job market? What should graduates have “in their backpack” when entering the workforce?

Karolina Benetytė: Soft skills are continuously valued, especially ownership, communication, time management, critical thinking, adaptability, and the ability to learn quickly. Additionally, graduates today benefit from knowing how to use AI effectively while ensuring strong quality control.

Aysel Bayramova: This is a difficult question, especially at a time when AI is increasingly replacing entry-level positions. However, one thing AI will never truly possess is soft skills - such as empathy, emotional intelligence, kindness, and critical thinking. These human-centered skills are becoming even more valuable, and they are something I believe graduates should actively cultivate and protect.

Goda Kazakauskaitė: In today’s job market, skills like good communication, adaptability, and critical thinking matter a lot. Employers value graduates who are willing to learn, work well with others, and adjust to new situations. Having strong language skills and a good attitude in your “backpack” is really important. Being open to feedback and ready to keep learning are also very important.

❤️🌹🌿Did you need to learn new things after graduation to adapt to the demands of the job market?

Karolina Benetytė: Yes, because I tend to value traditional approaches more, I had to adapt to the fast-changing work environment, especially regarding automation and AI. Learning to use new software and tools to speed up delivery was challenging at first. Additionally, it led me to strengthen my research skills.

Aysel Bayramova: Learning new things is inevitable in any workplace. In my case, I had to learn to trust AI to handle tasks I was previously responsible for, such as translation, while shifting my role more toward proofreading and quality control.

Goda Kazakauskaitė: Yes, after graduating, I definitely had to learn new things to adapt to the job market. A lot of the learning happened on the job, especially getting familiar with banking systems, procedures, and industry-specific knowledge. I also had to adjust to a more professional work environment and improve skills like time management.

❤️🌹🌿What has been your biggest professional challenge so far, and how did you overcome it?

Karolina Benetytė: My biggest professional challenge has been writing non-academic English texts. Marketing language, in particular, is something I am still working on mastering.

Aysel Bayramova: I wouldn’t say I have faced many major challenges so far, but one particularly demanding experience was oral translation. One time, my previous coworkers asked me to accompany them to the bank and translate verbally between my native language and Lithuanian. This was challenging because it required a high level of confidence and responsibility. I realized that oral translation is not only about language proficiency, but also about facilitating trust and communication between two people who cannot understand each other directly.

Goda Kazakauskaitė: My biggest professional challenge so far has been adjusting to a new industry and learning how everything works in a corporate environment. At first, there was a lot of new information and responsibility, which felt overwhelming. I overcame it by asking questions, learning from my colleagues, and taking things step by step. Over time, I became more confident and comfortable in my role, though there is still more to learn.

❤️🌹🌿Do you have any advice for current students who are just starting to think about their career paths?

Karolina Benetytė: I would encourage students to see an English philology degree as a skill set. It helps to recognize the practical skills you have developed during your studies and how you can apply them at work and even in everyday life. From my experience, I would also recommend practicing writing for non-academic audiences. And of course, follow your heart and choose the path that really resonates with you, because when you truly enjoy what you do, it shows.

Aysel Bayramova: My advice would be never to stop chasing your dreams. This may sound cliché, as it is a phrase commonly repeated on social media, but it is genuinely true. You can have the highest-paying job in the world, but if you feel no passion for what you do, it can cost you your soul.

Goda Kazakauskaitė: My advice would be to explore different options early and don’t be afraid to try things out, even if they feel outside your comfort zone. Take opportunities to gain experience, like internships or part-time jobs, and focus on building skills like communication, problem-solving, and adaptability. Most importantly, be patient with yourself — careers aren’t always a straight path, and it’s okay to learn as you go.

❤️🌹🌿In your opinion, what are some of the “invisible” benefits of studying English philology that only become clear once you start working?

Karolina Benetytė: From my experience, discipline and time management are two “invisible” benefits of studying English philology that became clear once I started working in a fast-paced environment.

Aysel Bayramova: One of the invisible benefits is being constantly pushed out of your comfort zone through exposure to different cultures. You are taught by Lithuanian professors, but also by professors from other countries, and you study alongside students from diverse cultural backgrounds. This creates a continuous exchange of knowledge and perspectives, which gradually makes you more open-minded and culturally aware, often without even realizing it.

Goda Kazakauskaitė: One of the “invisible” benefits of studying English Philology is how it really trains you to think critically and pay attention to details, which doesn’t always feel obvious while studying. It also improves your ability to analyze information, adapt your communication style for different audiences, and approach problems from different angles. These skills become really valuable once you start working, especially in a professional environment like banking, where clear communication and careful thinking make a big difference.

❤️🌹🌿Thank you, Karolina, Aysel and Goda❤️🌹🌿