From ancient texts to the digital age - Tessa

Why did you decide to study at the University of Edinburgh? And why did you choose to study your subject? 

I was living in France when I applied for my Masters programme. I loved living in Europe, and I wanted to be closer to what I had studied. Edinburgh immediately stood out – it had the highest-ranking Classics programme.  

My undergraduate degree was in Classics – I’ve always had a love of languages, and I started to learn Latin at 8-years-old. When I was 9-years-old, I thought I might want to teach mythology at university. Classics was something I was passionate about – it didn’t feel like a chore to study. I’ve always loved academia and hope to do a PhD in the future.  

How did you get where you are?  

I completed my dissertation in the Summer of 2021. I started to think about what I might like to do after graduation – I knew I wanted a fast-paced role and wasn’t sure I wanted to go into a Classics-related job. I had developed my research ability and writing skills throughout my academic career, so I looked for roles that utilised these skills – marketing stood out to me. I started working with my current company, Virtuoso QA, in November 2021. I started out as a content specialist, and I am now a Marketing Team Lead. My day never looks the same – from keyword analysis, researching and writing articles on our blog and social media, writing scripts for industry update emails, writing adverts, submitting award applications, managing conferences, it’s a really varied role.   

A highlight for me was leading the marketing team for nine months. I didn’t have prior experience of leading a team, so I really took this as an opportunity to grow and made the most of this. I’m proud of this experience – it showed me I can pursue a career in this and gave me the assurance that I am good at my job.  

How are you using your knowledge and skills from your time at Edinburgh in your current role, and were there any experiences during your time at university which particularly helped prepare you for life after graduation?  

I studied at the University during the pandemic, which was difficult, but I still was able to develop my skill set. In a time when everything was remote, I learned how to communicate with people online. This really set me up for working remotely, as when you primarily communicate over email or chat, it’s extremely important to get your tone across in a way that cannot be misinterpreted.  

The in-depth research I conducted for my dissertation also helped me develop the discernment I need when researching a topic I’m not familiar with – how do you know whether a source is good to use? Is it better to directly quote this article or just paraphrase it? How can I resolve two articles with opposing information?  

While my actual experiences were limited due to the pandemic, one thing I never miss out on is an opportunity to travel for work. Face time with the people that you work with is incredibly important, and I wish I could have spent more time with my professors and fellow students in person during my studies.  

In your opinion, what is the biggest value of studying a degree in the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences? 

Degrees in the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences teach you to think outside the box. Whilst studying my undergraduate degree, I recall being part of a workshop with a mix of students from different disciplines. We were faced with a modern-day problem – the water crisis in Flint, Michigan, and we had to find a solution to this. I was able to suggest an idea nobody else had: an aqueduct. I recall the Engineering students loving this idea, and we started to put a plan in place, discussing how this might work in modern times. 

The ability to look at problems through another lens is invaluable. 

The opportunities to develop your language skills are amazing – your knowledge of sentence structures, the ability to take the sentence apart and put it back together like a puzzle is a skill you really master. 

Do you have any highlights or a favourite memory of your time at the university?  

Studying during the pandemic was a difficult experience. I remember a couple of months into my degree, ten of my classmates and I went for a walk in the Meadows. This was a really lovely way to get to know people and build connections with my classmates and the University, especially during a period when we were not able to connect in person and everything was remote. Moving countries during the pandemic was hard – but being able to meet friends, particularly international friends and people from different backgrounds, was a great opportunity.   

What advice would you give future students who are considering studying in the School of History, Classics and Archaeology at Edinburgh? 

My best piece of advice would be to introduce yourself to professors. Shake their hand and tell them your name. 

It’s so important to form connections – these are the people that will be invested in your success. And, go to their office hours! 

Do not take the University and university life for granted – it’s such a beautiful place and I wish I had spent more time on campus. The Library Bar in Teviot was one of my favourite places.