Jessica Gates

Name:

Jessica Gates

MSU Degrees:

BA in English, 2014

MA in English, with an emphasis in Creative Writing, 2017

Favorite memories of being an undergraduate English major:

I was lucky enough to have a wonderful graduate school class. Going through graduate school with that lovely group of ladies was a true highlight of not only my educational experience, but also my life. I hope everyone has the fortune of working alongside passionate individuals. 

Looking back at my entire college career, the memories that stick out the most to me are the in-class discussions of poems and novels. This isn't a staged answer; it's what I think about and miss the most. I was taught to think on-the-spot about difficult concepts and come up with valuable contributions quickly. This experience has been invaluable to me in my career.

 Current Position:

I currently work in a dual role was both a technical editor and an executive assistant for upper leadership at a radars project office on the Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama.

Organization:

I work for a contracting company (Canvas, Inc.), but I work on-site for the government at Program Executive Office, Missiles and Space.

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?

I can safely say that I never knew exactly what I wanted to do. I think a lot of folks look down on not having a solid plan throughout school and upon graduating, but for me, it really worked out. I have always been willing to fit into a team in the spots that need filled. This really allowed me to consider any opportunity that opened up to me. While I started out my career working at Mississippi State was an instructor and co-assistant director of the Writing Center there, I had some personal life changes that required a move and an adaptation on my part. It wasn't easy, but I found an open market and worked to show that community that my skill set fit.

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

Currently I work two roles: technical editor and executive assistant. For my work as technical editor, I edit technical documentation for grammatical issues and also work to ensure that the documents follow Army guidelines. Additionally, I write our project office's newsletter, including taking pictures, conducting interviews, and gathering news and personal information for our employees. For my work as an executive assistant, I manage our deputy project manager's calendar, schedule and deconflict meetings, assist with travel, and work on whatever else needs done.

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

My experience in graduate school has by far been the most beneficial in my professional career. During graduate school I worked as a TA and also worked at the Writing Center. Doing this work and carrying a full graduate-level course load was a lot, and I really learned to manage my time well during this period of my life, prioritizing and completing projects in a timely pace. I also learned to set big goals for myself and follow them through.

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

Networking is one of the most important things that you can do. Even if it makes you uncomfortable (it does for everyone—some folks are just better at hiding it than others :) ), attend events where you can meet people, make a LinkedIn account, and connect with others. This is how you secure opportunities. 

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

I once complained to a family member that I wasn't making as much money as I wanted. The response was, "Well, sure you have a Master's—but it's in English!" That comment has really stuck with me, and I have made it a personal mission of sorts to prove them wrong. I think it's a huge misconception that you can't make money with an English degree. I have a salary which rivals my peers with technical degrees. You just have to figure out how to emerge into a technical field with your skill set. You can do this.

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

I have constantly set goals for myself in my career. I've pushed myself to look for new opportunities, and I've been given several promotions because I've done a bit of extra work and put myself out there. I've tried to carry this over in my personal life as well. I'm a runner—so  I'm always pushing the pace and mileage up for myself. I'll complete my first marathon this winter. Additionally, I'm a parent. I want my kids to see that you can have a fulfilling career and family life (if that's what they want). I encourage them to set goals for themselves, and we talk about how to execute them. Also, as a woman, I especially want to be a role model for my daughter. Working as a female in the defense industry isn't easy, but I've had some valuable women to look up to during this time, and I want to continue to be that for my daughter and for the women that come after me. 

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

Take every opportunity that comes at you. Be flexible. Network. And if you happen to go through a dark time where you're not sure if everything will work out—rest assured that it happens to us all. Reach out to get the help you need and push through it. You can absolutely be successful while doing what you love. Oh, and pick your stance on the Oxford comma early and stick to it—it’s likely that you'll have to defend your position at some point. And one more thing—keep reading. Your passion for meaningful stories and how they are told is what sets you apart. It's your passion. Don't lose that in the journey.

[Updated September 2025]