Trinity English Major Alumni Share Life After College

Bella Chirkis ’27

Executive News Editor

On Tuesday, Feb. 11, Trinity College hosted its annual alumni panel for English major alums to discuss how their degrees affected their life in the “real world.” In an informal discussion with Kelly Vaughan ’17, a recipe editor for the TODAY show, Gail Brussel ’90, the deputy director for publicity for Penguin Press and Leslie Fitzgerald ’12, partner and client CIO for Partners Capital, these alumni expressed how Trinity College helped develop their successful careers, and gave tips to students on how to build greater connections. 

The panel started with each alumni describing their job and how a typical day goes for each of them. Brussel leads campaigns for novels and nonfiction and launches books into the world. She is responsible for getting books reviewed and through the media, and each day differs depending on where the press is in their campaign: “Each day can be very different and that’s what I love about it,” Brussel stated. 

Vaughan works to develop recipes that are ready for the website, and has opportunities to interview other authors and celebrities. Vaughan described her job as having “mundane uncool days vs. cool days,” from fielding pitches from freelancers and cookbook authors to freelance photo styling recipes for the site: “There are always surprises and you get pulled in all different directions, you have to stay on your toes.” Fitzgerald took a different turn with her English degree, and works at an investment firm partners capital in Boston. She advises endowments of education and nonprofits and works to generate financial aid. 

Reflecting on how one’s college education at Trinity matters in the world now, the alumni related their own learning to the things that they write in their career. Fitzgerald explained that English majors tend to be intellectually curious, and crafting stories is something that she implements in everyday life: “What story am I going to tell and what do I want them to understand about me” is how the structure of Fitzgerald’s literary works typically goes. Vaughan explained how Trinity helped her become more comfortable talking to people and how the skills she learned as an English major reflect the way that she acts and behaves: “The liberal arts education is certainly a foundation for the things that I do now.” Brussel elaborated on how editing things and creating stronger arguments were a foundation point for a liberal arts education and not everyone knows how to do that. 

When asked by English Professor Christopher Hager, “What do you wish someone had told you as a student?” Brussel said to stay away from the idea that you need to get out of college with a specific job and make a specific amount of money, and instead focus on what you yourself like and what you like to do. Vaughan advised to always keep your options open. She recommends being patient and keep pushing forward because everything will work itself out. Fitzgerald recommended networking and she recommended reaching out to different people. She said to look up Trinity alums in your own hometown and reach out to them as it is important to broaden your horizons.