Director of Qualitative Research for Circularity Informatics Lab, UGA HOW WERE YOU AFFILIATED WITH WGS? Women's and Gender Studies major and member of Triota TELL US ABOUT YOUR CURRENT WORK (PAID OR UNPAID!) I am currently the Director of Qualitative Research for the CIL - so I work closely with engineers on environmental issues related to plastic waste and other materials. HOW HAS YOUR WOMEN'S AND GENDER STUDIES EXPERIENCE SHAPED YOUR LIFE AND WORK POST GRADUATION? It has given me perspectives that enable me to be resilient in this current political climate as an environmental scientist. I also have a few friends from the program that I still keep in touch with! WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE MEMORIES FROM YOUR TIME IN WOMEN'S AND GENDER STUDIES AT UGA? COURSES, PROFESSORS, EVENTS? I always loved Josie's classes - it felt like hanging out with my friends. My favorite course was by Dr. Patricia Richards and it was multicultural perspectives on gender. It was the first time I was really exposed to the way that gender interacts with the military-industrial complex, and it was a great primer to have me thinking about global power dynamics as a researcher who now does a fair amount of international work. During my junior year, COVID hit, and our WMST senior lecture classmates and I did a virtual superlative award ceremony. I got "best laugh" - which made me so happy. Growing up in a rural, conservative town, I was always told that I was "too loud" and men specficialy showed a lot of disdain when I laughed (probably because I was always laughing at them). So receiving that superlative later in life, especially from my WMST peers, felt like an affirming moment. ANY ADVICE FOR CURRENT WOMEN'S AND GENDER STUDIES STUDENTS (GRADUATE OR UNDERGRADUATE)? If you are intimidated by someone (a classmate, professor, etc.) then that is a good sign you should talk to them! I got the job I have now because I went up to Dr. Jenna Jambeck and just struck up a conversation. I was initially nervous as hell, but I am so glad I took a chance and introduced myself to her. Also, when thinking about what you would like to do in the future, be honest about the type of job you would actually want versus the type of job you would like to see your fantasy self have. There is a lot to consider outside of how much money you would make and whether or not you feel good morally about what you do -- such as: are you willing to be in a certain city or place? Does the role allow for flexibility? Do you actually like the hiring manager? Will this job enable you to live the life you want to have outside of work? Are all of your coworkers/colleagues likely to be complete jackasses? Are you willing to sit in traffic for 1.5 hours a day? Do you want to have to buy a corporate wardrobe?Of course everything is a tradeoff, but really think about if a role will allow you to be your best self outside of the job, and what lifestyle factors you are and are not willing to sacrifice. If we are going to try and de-center work under capitalism, this is a good starting point.
