Undergraduate Alumni Testimonials
Abigail Chesson, Class of 2022
Comparative Literature
I graduated with a Comparative Literature major. I enjoy literature from other cultures and learning different languages. Comparative Literature is like an English degree but better! Enjoy your time on campus and get involved, it goes by too quickly. I’m currently working towards teaching English abroad.
Aska Melody Chong, Class of 2021
Double Major: Comparative Literature and Cinema & Digital Media
I was initially torn between pursuing an English major and a comp lit major, but since I already had a background studying Western literature, I wanted to dedicate my years in college studying East Asian literature specifically. Academic writing has always been my passion and I knew I wanted to continue writing in college.
Realistically, it's about finding the right balance between your passion and what you're good at. I was initially more interested in film production than film theory (writing on film), but after spending the first half of college exploring different options and trying out different internships and classes, it turned out that my passion for filmmaking was short-lived because it did not match my skillset, and it gradually made me realize that it was just not a sustainable passion. After coming to this realization, I switched to the film theory/analysis track because I was still really passionate about cinema, so I could not give that up, but my strengths were in academic writing and research, so I felt confident pursuing this field. So I'd say it's about finding a field that is sustainable for you to pursue, and this doesn't mean you have to give up what you're passionate for completely, just because you don't feel like you're talented enough for that. It's about finding the right approach to it.
Comparative literature is a very creative and diverse major. Diverse as in the backgrounds that the students and faculty come from, the different mediums you get to engage with (cinema, drama, literature, etc.), and the various cultures that these pieces come from. I currently work as a linguist/translator at a video game publisher, where I'm constantly writing, writing, writing! I also started an Instagram account to post my film reviews/analyses last year. I'm also planning to start a blog for this eventually.
Azimi Gumah, Class of 2021
Double Major: Comparative Literature and Linguistics
I was a comparative literature major and I double majored in linguistics. I am a recent graduate, as I just completed my studies in June of this year--however, I began work at the end of winter quarter earlier this year as a substitute instructional assistant for the school district and I have now obtained a permanent position as an instructional assistant in the same district. A key takeaway from my time on campus in the comparative literature department is actively discussing conceptual writing ideas with instructors and professors as this helps generate new thought in the sense it inevitably will stray away, at least to some extent, from your same routine process of thought. Advice I would like to give to current or incoming new students is to explore all cultural realms of comparative literature to the best that you are able to in accordance with your academic plan. Different perspectives allow for the greatest understanding, compassion, and freedom.
Nick Irvin, Class of 2019
Comparative Literature
I graduated with a degree in Comparative literature. I loved to read, loved to write, and loved to think. Comparative literature was the trifecta, in a way that most majors aren't. I loved my major's emphasis on works in translation and other cultures, too. Take your time exploring your options. Resist outside pressures as much as you can--this is your education, no matter where the financial burden falls, and you should feel empowered to make your gut feelings a reality!
I studied in St. Petersburg, Russia, for about 4 months during my junior year. Study abroad is unlike anything I've experienced since--I crawled inside the mind of the country, garnered the rudiments of the Russian political psyche, and made friends with Russians of all stripes. It's certainly given me insight into the war as well. If I had to attend college all over again, I'd place study abroad as my number one priority.
I am currently an English teacher, and likely will be for the foreseeable future! My major has obviously given me the skills to impart a literary education to my students, but it has also given me the confidence to speak, write, and read anything and parse it. I am confident in my knowledge of culture and in my ability to solve problems with my writing and analytical abilities. I've written long reports and implemented school visions to help make my school a better educational environment for students. These are marketable skills that any ambitious graduate can use to his or her advantage in any organization. Employers want problem-solvers, not graduates who can provide answers by rote or pigeonhole themselves when introduced to complex questions. The Comparative Literature major will furnish students with skills most employees simply don't have.
Karly Passmore, Class of 2018
Comparative Literature
While attending UCD I was a comparative literature major and a French minor. I worked in an orphanage in Mexico teaching high school, which led me to fall in love, which led me to look for more jobs in Mexico, which led me to find a job in a school teaching literature and philosophy.
You'll enjoy your time on campus if you decide to. Talk to your professors, because they are 70% of what makes comp lit fun. The other 30% is that it's easier than chemistry. Also, make sure you really want to read stories about things that did not actually happen recently. Talk to Amy because she'll help you figure it all out.
Rina Haack, Class of 2017
Double Major: Comparative Literature and Biological Sciences
While attending UCD I was a double major in comparative literature and biological sciences. Since graduating, I’ve had two different jobs in the mental health field. Currently I’m working at UC Davis in the early psychosis programs. I plan to apply to get a MSN in psychiatric nursing in the next month. One of my comparative literature professors will be writing a letter of recommendation for me.
Do a senior thesis! It will increase your writing skills in ways that will benefit you in any field, and working on projects of that length are a great experience.
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Taylor Cunningham, Class of 2016
Double Major: Comparative Literature and Italian
I decided my majors because I wanted to study abroad, learn another language, and have a smaller class size. My favorite thing about UCD and community was how involved the Italian department was in my success. Working at a software company in the Bay Area, going on two years now. Planning to get my MBA in the next few years.
Caitlin Tremblay, Class of 2015
Comparative Literature
I decided to study Comparative Literature because I found it fascinating. I wanted to learn about different languages and cultures, as well as the conflicts and resolutions around these differences. I wanted to learn to think in another language, and to understand how people in other communities and cultures live. I enjoyed and found meaning in discussing literature and lore, how it both reflects and shapes the world.
After undergrad, I worked on a farm in Davis for a year before moving to upstate New York, where I managed a food service program and coordinated culinary programs for youth. I am now working full time as a Sustainability Coordinator for New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation. The subject matter is unrelated to my undergraduate degree; however, I utilize the many skills I learned in the CompLit major, such as critical thinking, professional writing skills, professional speaking skills, intercultural communication, and creative problem-solving. I continue to apply my Arabic language skills as a volunteer for the local refugee center, through which I tutor a Syrian family in English. And of course, I'm still reading :)
Catherine Broderick, Class of 2014
Double Major: Biomedical Engineering and Comparative Literature
I'm working as a manufacturing engineer for a medical device company called Penumbra, Inc. in the East Bay Area. Penumbra, Inc. manufactures medical devices to treat stroke and other vascular diseases. It's my job to oversee manufacturing processes as well as our raw materials, tools and equipment.
Even though I'm working as an engineer, my Comparative Literature background has been incredibly helpful-I'm involved with documentation necessary for FDA regulation and Comp Lit has given me a unique set of problem solving and communication skills that I use every day.
Fran Munton, Class of 2014
Comparative Literature
When I first began community college, I had never heard of the Comparative Literature major, and so I began to pursue English because I loved to read. After my first semester at Santa Rosa Junior College, I started to look into the various literature-related majors that different UCs offered and learned about Comparative Literature. It immediately struck me with its language requirement and global focus, two differences from English that seemed challenging and fun. After transferring to UC Davis, I finally began to take the Comparative Literature classes my community college didn't offer. Learning Spanish was difficult but fun, and my Comp Lit professors encouraged me to think about all my readings from new, nuanced angles. I was exposed to literatures that I had never considered studying and would not have been possible in other majors. Along with Comparative Literature, I took up a minor in History, with my focus on Latin America. Understanding the historical background to the fiction I read in my literature classes helped provide me a frame of reference for my readings to deepen my analysis of them. In my senior year I completed an honor's thesis with the help of Professor Ana Peluffo on two Latin American novels which was a rewarding and fascinating experience. I'm currently working in the bakery at Whole Foods Market, but my experience doing research for my thesis has led to me consider graduate school in Comparative Literature which I am now investigating.
Rachael Duke, Class of 2014
Double Major: Linguistics and Comparative Literature
I overall enjoyed this major. It exposed me to new types of literature that I never would have taken in English Lit. I had some great professors that helped me think about things in different ways. The only really not so great experience I had was with the theory class I took. The teacher just couldn't keep up with the workload and while I know he is very smart, teaching is not his strong point and trying to learn theory from someone who can't teach it is awful. I decided to pursue Com Lit because it had a language component and since I was learning German, it fit nicely into what I wanted to do. I did double major because even though I love Literature, it's not what I want to do for the rest of my life. My other major, Linguistics, is what I wish to pursue with my career Literature gives me a good back ground for critical thinking and writing. I’m currently going through the PhD program in Linguistics at UC Davis.
Kylie Negin, Class of 2012
Double Major: Comparative Literature and Italian
I decided to double major in Comparative Literature because of the small class sizes, quality of the professors and teaching assistants, and the skills I learned from the courses. The professors and members of the Comparative Literature department are some of the most knowledgeable, caring individuals on the UCD campus. The analysis and discussion skills I learned in the Comparative Literature courses helped me in much of the other coursework I completed as an undergraduate and graduate student. Some of the best advice I received was to pursue an honors thesis my senior year. Completing an honors thesis was a great way to work one-on-one with a professor and study the literature that I found interesting. I am currently an English and Journalism teacher at Vanden High School. I teach 9th and 10th grade English as well as the Journalism elective that writes the school newspaper. Teaching is extremely rewarding and challenging, and I love every minute of it.