The English Channel The English Channel Volume 17 Issue 2 Spring 2017 | Page 4

From English Major...
Shaun Moore was recently named one of
Oakland County Executive Elite 40 Under 40
Class of 2017, an award honoring exceptional
individuals under age 40 who excel in their fields
and improve the quality of life in Oakland
County .
In 2001, I was working at the Applebee’s
across the street from OU. When some e-
Learning employees I was waiting on
found out I was an English major, as
most of them had been, they offered me
a student internship. While I knew noth-
ing about online classes or how to trou-
I started college with a plan to become an bleshoot them, I did have an extensive
reading and writing background. Hoping
architect. After a life changing creative
writing class, I dropped my courses and this would be enough to get me accli-
mated, I accepted the position.
changed my major to English. Looking
back over 15 years in the future now, I
I truly thank my OU English professors
can say it was one of the best decisions
for preparing me so well for what I didn’t
of my life.
know at the time would become my ca-
reer. Knowing how to effectively analyze
I’m now the Director of e-Learning at
something is an invaluable skill that I’ve
Oakland University. In more ways than
one, it was my English degree that got me transferred to troubleshooting tech
problems.
the job.
Carefully crafting papers pre-
pared me for writing tactful re-
sponses to faculty and students
having trouble using the system. I
can even attribute my listening,
problem solving, and critical
thinking skills to close reading
techniques I learned in class. The
analytical skills I learned in the
English program positioned me
to transition into a full-time staff
position once I graduated with
my Bachelor of Arts in English.
Continued on next page...
Shaun Moore
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