Few people get to use their natural talents to work in their dream field, 但全欧学院的毕业生苏塞尔·桑托斯成功了. She's currently helping out innovators at United Technologies, a company known for its trailblazing work in aero defense. But unlike many math and computer science-oriented tech workers, she paved her path to the industry by capitalizing on her natural writing prowess.

Growing up, Suzelle was equally interested in writing and technology. Her elementary school teachers noticed her imaginative storytelling and strong grasp of grammar, and she put together her family's first computer when she was only eight years old.

Suzelle continued honing her writing in her high school's newspaper class, then got a bachelor's degree in 通信 from the College of Charleston in South Carolina. Soon Suzelle realized that she'd like to take her journalism off the printed page and onto television. After graduation, she kicked off a career in news at Charleston's CBS affiliate station.

She started her 新媒体新闻 master's program at 满帆 the same year. The online degree appealed to Suzelle because she could simultaneously work at WCSC-TV. "I thought it would be good to supplement my experience with even more education,她说. The program taught her how to use the tools journalists rely on to cover breaking news. "满帆 provided cameras, devices I could record on, and microphones,她说.

作为她全帆课程的一部分, Suzelle created a blog that let her flex her fascination with innovators and the tech industry. "I wrote about the startup and technology scene in my area,她说. "It exposed me to digging up story ideas and interviews, 它也教会了我科技的发展趋势, 科技公司的文化, 以及编码语言."

After getting married and moving to another state in 2019, Suzelle decided to make changes to her professional life and look into communications. Suzelle's blog from her time at 满帆 gave her a leg up in the communications and technology market. "The fact that I chose to write about technology in that blog is really what helped me demonstrate that no, 我不仅仅是个记者. I also have a very strong, keen interest in technology and innovation."

A recruiter matched Suzelle with a contract position for United Technologies. "I'm helping with communications for a group of developers who are making software tools that help the people at UTC innovate,她说. Her career has come full circle: She's working the same kinds of developers and inventors she interviewed for her blog at 满帆.

Not everyone gets to capitalize on their strongest skills to solve problems in a field that fascinates them, but Suzelle's story proves it can be done — if you manage the balance between work experience and education. "You should take as many career-related jobs and internships as you can. Every ounce of experience counts, and every ounce of education counts."

Staying open to potential shifts in your job can also open the door to surprising possibilities. "You don't have to know where you're going to end up," Suzelle says. "You just have to give 100 percent in sharpening your chosen skill set, 人际交往能力, 保持良好的声誉. Changes in careers are okay and, in the end, your journey will make sense."