Alumni Spotlight: Moojan Sharifi
- published: 2018/12/12
- search keywords:
- English alumna
- critical thinking
- writing
- career success
On May 5, 2017, Moojan Sharifi graduated from UNO with a Bachelor of Arts in English and a minor in Medieval Renaissance Studies. At the commencement ceremony, Chancellor Emeritus John Christensen said, “You’re leaving home with all the skills you need, but it’s up to you to make the most of it.” This statement resonated with Moojan. Yes, she had skills. Yes, she had worked hard in Dr. Buchelt’s Anglo Saxon Literature course and Dr. Ghosh’s Crime and Detection course, writing lengthy critical papers. Though cognizant of the value of her writing skills, she was unsure where her degree would take her. In spite of these doubts, she remained hopeful for the future and proud of her accomplishments.
Her hopefulness was well-deserved. Today, she is a content writer for Omaha’s Content a la mode, a search engine that assists businesses with maximizing their online presence as well as a financial representative with Northwestern Mutual. Though these careers seem vastly different, financial experts need to know how to write well.
According to Sharifi, “UNO’s Department of English excels in supplying students with the right materials, providing necessary skills to be successful in their careers outside the classroom setting. My writing skills significantly impact my career in financial planning by helping me articulate the benefits of working with me and at Northwestern Mutual.” Communication is key in financial planning, and it is crucial that the audience understands why recommendations are made.
Professionals, like Sharifi, use the science behind critical thinking and the art of writing to succeed in their careers. These sets of skills are the core values of the UNO Department of English. Sharifi says, “My career gets people thinking and talking about writing. The skills from an English degree are useful to me every day.”
Sharifi is thankful for the experience of taking challenging English classes that helped pave the way to her success.
You can connect with Moojan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/moojansharifi/.