Amy Burger Spotlight

English with a Literature Concentration (B.A.),
Graduated 2017

What are you doing now?

I’m a librarian and English instructor at Dalton State College.

How did you get your current job?

I had been a librarian at two other USG schools, and this position opened up, so I applied. The English instructor role (which is part-time) came about roughly six years later, after I finished my second master's degree.

On a typical day in your position, what do you do?

One of my favorite things about my job is that I don't have a typical day. Depending on the time of the semester, I may be spending hours in classrooms with students doing instruction sessions to teach them about research, or I might be focused in my office working on a project. I go to meetings and coordinate events too, so I do a little of everything over the course of a semester.

What advice would you give someone considering English studies?

I'd say go for it, and try to learn about technology too.

If you were in a position to hire new graduates, what characteristics would you be looking for?

A willingness to learn and the ability to communicate effectively are two qualities I think would be valuable.

How did the English major prepare you for your career?

I was just thinking about this. I think it's helped me be a flexible thinker. With English, unlike other disciplines, there's often not a "right answer" and this encourages a creative approach to problem solving.

Please name any specific course (or courses) that has been particularly helpful to your post-graduation life.

Research Methods was helpful, but Plague Literature was my favorite.

Did you complete a minor? If so, what was it? If it has contributed to your career, please explain how.

I double majored with sociology.