English Alum in the Spotlight: Georgia Park
"People will always be there to tell you that you are not good enough, and it is up to you to argue that you most certainly are (even if you don't quite believe in it yet). That belief, mixed with a lot of defiance and stubbornness, makes all the difference." -- Georgia Park '19.
By Joseph G. Bova '23
Georgia Park is a writer, Assistant Coordinator of a Tutoring Center, and an ESL/English Teacher. Park earned her MA in English / Writing from SSU in 2019. She also serves as editor-in-chief of her own feminist literary collective, Whisper and the Roar.
Georgia noted that the strong creative writing community in Salem was very influential on her career, and believes that every aspiring writer should check out the Salem Writers Facebook group and Mass Poetry's statewide calendar to get involved. Although she did not start out as an English major, she found her passion in the welcoming SSU community.
Why did you want to major in English?
I started out in Psychology because I idolized my PSY101 professor and badly needed therapy myself, although I wasn't aware of that at the time. I started to struggle when we got into neuroscience. At the same time, I was supporting a friend through an extremely difficult period, and realized that I didn't have the skills to become a therapist. It was too heartbreaking. I didn't know what I wanted to do with my life, but I knew I loved English and figured having a degree in anything was better than not having one. After the switch to creative writing, I started to really love school.
What were your favorite classes at SSU?
African American Literature really stood out to me, as well as a course I took on Graphic Novels. I also loved all of my creative writing courses.
What does your job involve?
I teach adults ESL twice a week and teach college courses when my schedule allows. As part of a team, I also create and implement professional development curricula for the tutors at a local college in alignment with the College Reading & Learning Association. In addition, I help to manage the tutors at the center and coordinate their schedules.
How have you applied your experiences at SSU to your career?
I used my initial English degree (with a focus on Creative Writing) to teach ESL abroad in South Korea and obtained a TESOL certificate while I was there. I spent three years abroad before returning to teach in the USA, where I have since published several books of poetry, been asked to give creative writing workshops at Ipswich High School and Boston University been published in several literary magazines (including SSU's own Soundings East) and became editor-in-chief of my own feminist literary collective. I should add that I would not be qualified to teach at the level I do, nor hold the position I hold as Assistant Coordinator, without the master's degree I also obtained from SSU.
What personal qualities or abilities are important to being successful in your career?
Since learning that women don't tend to apply for jobs they aren't fully qualified for, I started doing it; I didn't give up until I found a job I loved. I did the same with my writing. I applied for everything I could, and I never gave up. People will always be there to tell you that you are not good enough, and it is up to you to argue that you most certainly are (even if you don't quite believe in it yet). That belief, mixed with a lot of defiance and stubbornness, makes all the difference. If it helps, remember that success is the best revenge and if you live for nothing else, do it for spite.
How do you adapt and stay current on developments in your field?
In addition to creating and implementing trainings, I am constantly being trained and taking classes as a part of my own professional development. As far as the creative writing realm goes, I make contacts and stay in touch with them. I find writers who I like the work of online and in-person. I read their books and occasionally engage in friendly competitions or collaborations with them. Importantly, I continue to read for pleasure.
Have you had other jobs you'd like to tell us about?
I was an editor for an insurance company for a year, and I hated it. It was eight hours isolated at a desk and an hour ride each way. I was also fired as a waitress at Gulu while I was earning my master's degree.
What are your published works?
My first book, Quit Your Job and Become a Poet (Out of Spite), was kind of a silly light book about trying to get published. My forthcoming book is called Softly Glowing Exit Signs, an autobiography written in poetry about my journey from dysfunctional childhood to semi functional adulthood.
If you would like to get in contact with Georgia Park, you can reach her via email: whisperandtheroar@gmail.com
Christina Gelin edited this article.
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