Alumni and Careers

What have you been up to since graduating from Bowdoin?

After Bowdoin, I attended theater school in Paris for two years before hopping around the US in various theater and journalism jobs. I’ve been a journalist with Agence France-Presse for sixteen years and based in Paris for the last ten.

Why Francophone studies?

I was drawn to Francophone Studies because I loved studying literature and wanted to maintain and improve my French. Speaking and understanding French, and France itself, has been key in my life ever since, from raising my kids (who are half French) to navigating French office culture.

Are there any classes, professors, or experiences that had a lasting impact on you?

All of my classes and professors inspired me—the wonderful Dauge-Roths, Charlotte Daniels, and Bill VanderWolk. One of the most meaningful aspects of the French department for me was how they incorporated theater into their teaching. I directed a play in French as a senior project with support from the theater department, and it remains one of the most fulfilling creative experiences of my life.

What advice would you give to current students or recent graduates interested in your field?

I didn’t originally intend to become a journalist, but I’m grateful to work in this field, even as it has gone through upheaval throughout my career. I do writing and video reporting, and the latter requires being out in the field often. 

To current students: enjoy Bowdoin as a place to study, but don’t forget to use its resources to express your creativity in other ways. Put on a play, choreograph a dance, start a YouTube channel. It’s one of the most supportive creative environments you might ever encounter.

How has your Bowdoin education and experience helped you and informed the work that you do?

The ability to think critically and write quickly is essential for good script coverage. I honed those skills at Bowdoin, thanks to all of those essay assignments! The spirit of the Common Good will definitely guide my career in entertainment. I want to create series that are both entertaining and socially responsible.

Has studying Sociology impacted your perspective?

Sociology gave me permission to be both curious and critical about all aspects of life. I love how it encourages big picture thinking and analysis of everything we usually take for granted. Sociology is how I found my way back into creative writing and validated that even entertainment can deeply impact how society works. Sociology is a special lens that forces me to consider all sides of every issue and go beyond knee-jerk judgments. The sociological imagination is a great gateway to storytelling – it’s all about getting to the root of who we are and why.

What are the one or two events, courses or people that stand out in your mind from your time at Bowdoin?

Researching, writing, and producing a performance of my first full-length play with help from Bowdoin students and faculty. And sleeping in the President’s office as a first-year to protest for divestment!

Do you have any advice for current student at Bowdoin?

Don’t be afraid to try things and don’t be afraid to quit things. Say yes to as many opportunities as possible, but be patient with yourself. You might want to do something that the College does not offer, which can be frustrating. But there are always resources available for you to use to do that thing yourself, and plenty of people willing to support / guide you. Follow your passions fully while you are in a small, nurturing space. Go abroad! Join a new club! Perform! Protest! Whatever! Define your own comfort zone and constantly push the boundaries.