Do you remember when WRD alum Ella Yates sang the National Anthem at Wrigley Field earlier this year? We sure do! Not only is she an accomplished singer, she also excelled during her time at DePaul until her recent graduation in June. With a Bachelor of Arts in Writing, Rhetoric and Discourse, a minor in Creative Writing, and the William E. Hay Leadership Accelerator Certification, Ella continues to succeed outside of school. Learn more about her time at DePaul and how she applies what she learned in WRD in the real world.
Why did you decide to pursue a degree in WRD?
I originally decided to pursue a degree in WRD because I was interested in the publishing field. When I started, I thought I would have a career in editing books, but as I continued with the program, I really enjoyed the more technical aspects of writing. Slowly I started seeing myself in a career more focused on using clear writing to help others (like grant writing, contract writing, or just good email communication)! I loved all the opportunities I had to learn more about careers in writing, including working as an editor for two DePaul publications.
What were some stand out experiences during your time at DePaul?
I loved my time at DePaul! I worked a handful of student-worker jobs at DePaul: Editor for Honorable Mentions (the Honors Program quarterly newsletter), tutor for student-athletes, Egan Office Community Partner Intern at Centro Romero, and Associate WRD Editor for DePaul’s Blue Book: Best American High School Writing. I got to go to Boston to promote DePaul’s Blue Book at the National Council of Teachers of English conference. That opportunity was really unique and taught me a lot about marketing and creating advertising materials.
In my senior year I wrote a thesis for the Honors Program about female authorship in the diary genre. Professor Schneider and Professor Bokser were my thesis advisor and reader, and they encouraged me to pursue publishing my thesis through Young Scholars in Writing. The thesis was accepted into that national journal, and I spent the summer editing and revising it for publication sometime early next year!
I also had the opportunity to sing the national anthem at the “DePaul Night” Cubs game this year! That opportunity was so special to me because it was so outside of everything else I did at DePaul. When my classmates and professors found out that I sang they were all shocked, which was funny to me because music is such a big part of my life outside of school.
Tell me about your role post grad! How have you been able to apply what you learned in WRD?
I just finished my first month as a Dual Credit Pathways Specialist at Rock Valley College! I work with high schools to get qualified students in dual credit opportunities through creating specialized dual credit programming, recruiting high school students, and advising students for course registration. I actually went to Rock Valley College (RVC) during my senior year of high school, so it’s great to be back and helping students start their college career. Even before I started in the position, I used a lot of what I learned in WRD through applying to jobs. Having an emphasis on how to write impactful and clear emails, resumes, and cover letters helped me stand out in the application process and is continuing to help me as I am constantly sending important emails!
What advice do you have for current WRD students?
My advice for current students is to take every opportunity you can! I benefitted a lot from my on-campus jobs, meeting with professors during office hours, and just being a part of DePaul activities. The WRD department is filled with such incredible faculty, so make some time to chat with your professors outside of class time. They truly helped build my confidence as a writer and set me up for success post-graduation.