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.