≡ Name: Daniel Stotts

Current Employer: Deloitte Consulting LLP

Job Title: Consultant

City & State: Kansas City, MO

Class of: 2007

How my French Degree Helped: My French degree allowed me to become a more well-rounded individual first and foremost. Majoring in Accounting takes its toll in the area of creativity, but it was French studies that helped supplement my college education into something more balanced.

This balance helped contribute to the recruiting process my senior year. I think having that French major to go along with that of Accounting showed the campus recruiters that I have more to offer than meeting the standard technical requirements. It's also a way to differentiate from the rest of the job applicants. A lot of the more prestigious firms actually expect job candidates to have a good mix of competencies that can be leveraged for adding to the group dynamic.

After having spent two years as a full time professional, I can see how my international exposure in French has allowed me to acclimate to the mannerisms and work ethic of my co-workers and clients. I work with professionals from practically every continent and when I tell them that I speak and have studied another language, you can see that adds to my goodwill in the office. I actually have aspirations to live and work in Europe, which would be less of a possibility if I only spoke English. Most European firms expect that you speak at least another language fluently if your native language is English. So it has been important for me to maintain my abilities in French for future professional prospects. The bottom line is that we live in an increasingly global marketplace and it's becoming more and more difficult to stay in one's native culture for work. For me, having studied another language/country has been a valuable asset on my resume and will probably be very important for my future growth both professionally and personally.

Name: Emilie Harker

Job Title: Full-time homemaker

City & State: West Valley, UT

Class of: 2000

How my French Teaching Degree Helped: I have had some work experiences teaching community French classes and helping to write French language courses, but my main classroom experience since graduation has been at home. I am currently raising seven children in as close to a bilingual home as a non-native French speaker can create. Fortunately, my husband also studied some French at BYU and can therefore understand what is happening in his home! Spending some time abroad, teaching French at BYU as both a senior and masters student, and interacting with fellow students and professors in and out of the classroom all equipped me with the confidence and skill base that I needed to attempt teaching French in my home. Someday my classroom may expand, but for now, my children are the main recipients (willing or not ) of my education.

Name: Matthew Chrislip

Current Employer: Self-employed (Dowland Studio)

Job Title: Designer

City & State: New York, New York

Class of: 2007

How my French Degree Helped: Working as a graphic designer, product designer, and fashion designer, it's impossible to ignore the global influence of French culture and the French language. Majoring in French Studies gave me a direct connection to this creative force. It gave me the resources to improve my language skills, study the culture from the perspective of art and design, and spend eight months in Paris as a student and intern. It was an indispensable complement to my design education. The books I read, the films I watched, the places I visited, and the experiences I had are still sources of inspiration for my work.