Moriah Simpson ’06
Class Year
2006
Area(s) of Study
English
Hometown
Spokane, Washington
Co-curricular
The Stentor, Writing Center tutor
After graduating in May 2006, I was hired at Walgreens corporate office as an associate editor for the company’s internal communications. In that role, I wrote stories for several publications targeted at Walgreens team members. Eventually, I worked my way up in the department to manage a team of three, overseeing editorial planning for the company’s magazine, Walgreen World, and managing other internal communications programs.
Following a family move out of state, I switched from full-time writing and editing to working from home as a freelance writer, editor and proofreader. As a freelancer, I’ve continued writing for Walgreens’ publications, produced an annual report to shareholders, proofread marketing and packaging materials, and edited stories and reports for a large healthcare system.
How did you choose your area of study?
Do you think the skills you developed as an English major helped you obtain a job? Do you use those skills in your current work?
I use what I learned over the course of my English major every day in my writing. As part of my major, as well as in writing-related extracurricular activities at Lake Forest College, I honed the curiosity and analytical skills necessary to be a good writer and journalist.
Has the study of English impacted your life beyond the job? If so, how?
Although I was officially on the “writing track” for English majors, the discussions in my literature classes probably benefitted me more outside of my line of work. Learning to think critically, becoming exposed to a wide variety of texts that I wouldn’t necessarily choose for “fun reading” and engaging in thoughtful discussions with classmates have all made me a better and more well-rounded reader for pleasure. And I like to think pleasure readers are generally more interesting conversationalists, because they have lots of topics to talk about!
More information to share?
What was most enjoyable/memorable about studying English at Lake Forest College?
I transferred to Lake Forest College after completing my freshman year at a large state university. The thing I appreciated most about my English education at Lake Forest is the small class sizes, which made every course – whether writing or literature – a discussion rather than a lecture. For me, that was the difference between passive learning and active learning. I was able to interact directly with some really wonderful professors and classmates who challenged me to write more clearly and think more deeply.
Do you have any advice for students pursuing English studies?
Three things, if you’re interested in writing as a career: Get an internship. Write (and/or edit) for the student newspaper, The Stentor. Apply to work in the Writing Center. The working world is looking for more than just a diploma – your future bosses want to see you put what you’re learning in the classroom to work in real life. I did all three of those extra activities during my years at Lake Forest College, and I credit each of them with helping me develop a professional portfolio that got my foot in the door for job interviews.