This interview is made possible thanks to the kindness and generosity of 𝗥𝗼𝗸𝗮𝘀 𝗔𝗯𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗸𝗮𝘀, who graciously agreed to share his story with our community.

 

As a lovely reminder of where every journey begins, 𝗥𝗼𝗸𝗮𝘀'𝘀 BA thesis was titled "Tracing the Fetishized Black Body: The Representation of Race in Jordan Peele’s “Get Out”".

 

We hope 𝗥𝗼𝗸𝗮𝘀'𝘀 story 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 interview!

 

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

 

Since graduating in 2018, I somehow fell into sales and changed quite a few companies and fields. Since the pandemic, I've switched to IT consulting, something I definitely did not expect when graduating.

 

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

 

I'd say that stylistics and rhetoric played a major role in my success. Naturally, studying literature and philosophy taught me how to grasp new concepts quickly. This was a huge advantage when I switched to IT, as it was an entirely new world and I had to find my footing fast.

 

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

 

Being able to get things done.

Curiosity and work ethic go a very long way.

 

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

 

I learned that active listening tends to be superior to actively speaking

 

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

 

When I started my current job, I could not understand what people were talking about for 6 months or so, since the world of IT infrastructure was completely new to me.

What helped was not being afraid to ask “silly” questions so I would familiarise myself with all these new concepts ASAP.

 

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

 

Philology students aren't narrow-minded; use your approximate knowledge of many things to your advantage.

Besides that, avoid outsourcing your critical thinking to tech.

 

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

 

I think the fact that each student already speaks English during their first year is a great advantage, since we are instantly forced to articulate rather than attempt to construct simple sentences.

Graduates should also understand that all they learn during their years in the Faculty is not self-explanatory to others.

 

Thank you, 𝗥𝗼𝗸𝗮𝘀, for taking the time to share your experience and insights with our community! Your story is a wonderful reminder of how the skills gained through English Philology can open unexpected doors, even into fields such as IT consulting.