Hailey Reeder

Name:

Hailey Reeder

MSU Degrees:

BA in English, 2023

MA in English, 2025

Favorite memories of being an undergraduate English major:

I loved taking Shakespeare with Dr. Vivier and my courses with Dr. DeGabriel. Both professors made their classes engaging and memorable, and they were enthusiastic supporters of my decision to apply to graduate school, advice I am so grateful I followed. One of my favorite memories as a graduate student was working as an editor and quote checker for Dr. Atkinson’s book while serving as his T.A. I gained invaluable skills through that experience, and he also instilled in me a deep appreciation for Southern literature.

Current Position

Proposal Writer

Organization

YoungWilliams, Inc.

When you graduated with a degree in English from MSU, what were your plans for your future?  Has your career path mostly realized those early plans, or have you discovered new plans and goals along the way?

As I approached graduation with my M.A., my plan was to pursue a teaching position at either the college or high school level, and I was actively applying and interviewing for both. However, with few positions available at the time, I began applying to other roles (such as proposal writer) that I believed aligned with my skills. Although I had intended to enter the teaching profession, my career plans shifted unexpectedly at the eleventh hour. In retrospect, I am grateful they did. I have discovered a genuine passion for this field and am confident that I have a long and successful path ahead. I plan to remain in this profession and continue advancing my career.

What is your current occupation, and what does your work mostly consist of?

I am a proposal writer for a law firm that subcontracts government-run services, including child support programs, state disbursement units, and new hire reporting projects. As a member of a bid team, I am responsible for developing persuasive, compliant responses to Requests for Proposals (RFPs) for these services. My role involves analyzing solicitation requirements, coordinating cross‑departmentally, and collaborating closely with executives and subject matter experts to produce high‑quality proposals. I manage the proposal development lifecycle from start to finish – writing and editing content, creating graphics, facilitating meetings, and ensuring compliance – all with the goal of delivering a compelling submission that positions our company to win the contract. Since starting in my position at the end of May 2025, our team has won 5/5 bids that we have submitted.

Which skills that you learned as an English major do you use most in your job?

My analytical and critical thinking skills are essential to my role. RFPs are complex, highly technical legal documents that must be read with precision as any misinterpretation or incomplete response can result in disqualification. Strong critical thinking is also required to organize, plan, and manage large‑scale proposals, some of which exceed 450 pages. Successfully developing these submissions requires the ability to synthesize detailed requirements, structure information logically, and ensure accuracy and compliance throughout the entire document.

What additional skills did you need to learn in order to do your job, and how did you learn them?

I needed to develop a range of technical, analytical, and project management skills to be effective in my role. I had to learn how to read and interpret complex RFPs as legal and compliance documents, including how to identify mandatory requirements, evaluation criteria, and disqualification risks. I also developed proposal‑specific project management skills, such as building schedules, tracking inputs from multiple contributors, facilitating meetings, and managing deadlines across competing priorities.

I learned many of these skills on the job through hands‑on experience, mentorship from senior proposal staff, and close collaboration with subject matter experts, executives, and the Project Management Office (PMO). I also studied industry best practices by reviewing APMP materials and proposal development resources to learn standardized terminology, workflows, and evaluation strategies. Over time, repeated exposure to large, complex proposals strengthened my ability to organize content, apply critical thinking, and manage the proposal lifecycle from start to finish.

Are there common misconceptions about your career field, which current English majors might share, that you have learned the truth about?

Many people struggle to understand what I do and often assume I work in grant writing (which is similar in some respects) or as a paralegal, which is not at all accurate. There is also a common misconception that proposal writing is not a particularly common or lucrative field. I shared that same assumption myself; before stepping into this role, I had no real understanding of what a proposal writer did. Now, having worked in the field, I see how specialized, strategic, and impactful this profession truly is.

In what ways does your career enrich your life and help you to achieve your personal as well as your professional goals? 

I am building valuable professional connections and developing skills beyond proposal writing. For example, I work closely with our Project Management Office (PMO) and am gaining insight into what their role entails. This experience has broadened my skill set and could translate into that function if I chose to pursue it. On a personal level, this work has also exposed me to how government systems I previously paid little attention to operate and how they affect everyday people. As a result, my perspective has expanded, and I have developed a deeper appreciation for the impact of work in child support.

What advice do you have for undergraduate English majors right now who might want to follow the career path you did?

Technical writing is essential. If possible, take a technical writing course or pursue a certification. These skills will be used daily in this field and will help set you apart from other applicants. In addition, seek out experience wherever you can. Take on editing work, tutor through a Writing Center, and pursue leadership roles that strengthen your communication and organizational abilities. As a graduate student, I served on several English Department boards, including the Composition Committee, English Curriculum Committee, and as the Graduate Student Liaison, which provided valuable exposure to academic governance and collaborative decision‑making.

Finally, research the role thoroughly. Familiarize yourself with proposal development by reviewing APMP study materials to learn the terminology and the end‑to‑end proposal process. APMP is the industry‑standard certification, and many employers prefer or require you to obtain it during your employment. Starting early will give you a strong advantage.

[Updated April 2026]