Alumni Spotlight: Q+A with a STEM turned English Major
- englishdepartment8
- Feb 14
- 5 min read
For many, choosing to study English can be a source of anxiety, due to the preconceived idea that there are little to no jobs for those with a BA in English. India Long, a Biola ’23 graduate, began as a STEM major, but later switched to English. In an interview with Grace Ulibarri ’23, India shared her insights on making the switch and how it has broadened her future post-grad plans.
This interview was edited for clarity and conciseness.
Grace Ulibarri: What was your major originally?
India Long: My major coming into undergrad was engineering physics. I was planning on becoming an aerospace engineer to work for NASA.
G: Being a STEM Major is pretty different from being an English major, what made you decide to make that switch?
I: Ever since I was a kid, I loved reading. Stories were my favorite thing all throughout primary school and my favorite classes were always English classes. I still enjoyed math and science very much, but my passion veered toward reading and writing. I enjoyed learning about the world and gaining new experiences through reading. I initially made the decision to major in Engineering Physics because I knew it would make other people happy. There was one math class I took in high school that I enjoyed. When my parents found out that I liked it, they just assumed, “Oh yeah, you should do this because it’ll make you a lot of money.” But I had made a promise to my younger self that I would study English when I went to college. So, even though it was hard, it felt nice to make that switch and stay true to who I am.
G: What did you learn from being an engineering physics major that can be applied to English or vice versa?
I: So you can imagine that there’s not a ton of overlap in the content. [laughs] But there was actually a lot of close reading I had to do for the lab classes I was taking. Being able to review material, do a close reading of lecture notes, and things like that overlap.
G: Having formerly been in a field that most people assume would provide a more financially stable profession, how have you found peace and security in studying the liberal arts — especially as graduation nears?
I: I was honestly never worried about becoming an English major. I knew that I would be learning skills that would translate well into many different fields. Whether you’re working in an administrative role, a research position, or going to grad school in a completely different field, you’re going to have to know how to read well. You’ll also have to know how to write well and how to communicate your ideas clearly and thoughtfully. All of our English classes are like a workshop in developing those skills, and I’ve also been fortunate enough to gain a lot of professional experience while on campus. There are so many different career fields — you could be a podcaster, radio talk show host — you could do so many different things. And not to flex, but the president of our university was an English major, and the first person ever from Biola to win an Oscar was an English major, too! No other majors can say that. That just goes to show that your college major doesn’t automatically determine the trajectory of your life.
G: What have you enjoyed most about being an English major?
I: Being an English major is super fun because it’s a very close-knit community. I don’t know the size of the other majors, but I feel like everyone here knows each other since we’re in the same classes with the same people. Discussions are good, and you really get to know the professors and the students on a personal level. Outside of class, we’ve gone to BJ’s for a Galentines, the Chino Hills State Park to look at the poppy fields, and the beach. Being able to do that with people that you learn with, I really enjoy that.
G: What kind of opportunities have you been presented with during your English studies?
I: If you count all of the jobs I’ve worked while as an English major, they range widely … I work for the SEID [Student Enrichment and Intercultural Department] department as a LEAD [Leaders Engaging & Advancing Diversity] Scholars Coordinator and for SGA [Student Government Association] as the Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion. There are a lot of different ways being an English major has opened doors for me professionally and academically.
G: What is a typical day in the life of an English major like?
I: Never a dull moment. Usually, I’m doing a lot of reading and studying with people at coffee shops. We also hang out! I think a good thing about the English department at Biola is that there’s a lot of balance. Even when you’re studying with people you’re still having a good time. We’re bonding, and it doesn’t feel like we’re just studying when we’re together.
G: What skills have you cultivated over the years because of your English classes?
I: In every major, you probably have to write an essay at some point. But within the English major, you learn how to write a good one. You’re practicing all the time by refining your skills of arguing an original point of view, curating research, and reviewing other peoples’ research. So skills like writing, editing, workshopping, and keeping up with market trends just naturally happen. You have to know how to make something effective and compelling, like this interview that we’re doing right now. We could have done something boring, but we’re not!
India Long: India is a Biola 2023 Torrey alumna who studied English Literature with a minor in Social Justice and Human Rights. India enjoys reading and writing poetry, spending time with her friends, and traveling. She currently lives in Washington, D.C. and is a first-year graduate student at the Howard University School of Social Work. India is involved in the Student Council Association, is a Graduate Research Assistant, and is also the Student Liaison Officer for her local ABSW chapter. She also works as the Manager of Student Services and Office Administration for The District School.
Grace Ulibarri: Grace Ulibarri graduated from Biola University in 2023 with a degree in English, driven by her passion for literature. Her love for learning developed into a desire to help students discover the power of literature, which led her to pursue a Master’s in Teaching at the University of Southern California. When she's not lesson planning, she's probably at a coffee shop reading.
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