Kathryn Mann
Name:
Kathryn Stringer Mann
MSU Degrees:
BA in English (minor in Spanish and certification in TESOL), 2019
Any other degrees:
MA in Christian Ministry, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, 2022
Biblical Counseling Certification, Association of Biblical Counselors,
2023
Favorite memories of being an undergraduate English major:
During my first two years at Mississippi State, I changed my major a few times before finally settling on English. I had always loved grammar and reading, so I figured I might as well focus on a subject I truly enjoyed. I look back affectionately on the time I spent immersed in literature—discussing, reflecting on, and writing about such wonderful works. It's an experience I quite often miss. I remember being cautious about majoring in English at a school like Mississippi State, known for its Engineering and Agriculture; however, I was met by devoted and zealous professors who equipped me in countless ways.
Current Position:
Young Adults Coordinator
Organization:
Highlands Presbyterian Church (PCA), Ridgeland, MS
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 had no idea what to do after graduating from MSU. I originally wanted to become an editor for a publication like Lifeway or Crossway, but I kept being rejected because of a lack of experience. Not until July of 2019, two months after graduation, did I interview at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in Charlotte, NC and begin classes that August. While at seminary, I felt a strong call for young adult or women’s ministry, and God has led me right down that path into where I am now—ministering to young adult women each day in the Jackson-Metro area. My college self never would have guessed where I would be today. I am truly happy and look forward to many more years in ministry ahead.
What is your current occupation, and what does your work mostly consist of?
I am the Young Adult Coordinator at Highlands Presbyterian Church in Ridgeland, MS. My day-to-day consists of ministering to young adult women, planning events, preparing Bible Studies, and studying continuously.
Which skills that you learned as an English major do you use most in your job?
Majoring in English equipped me in studying texts, thinking critically, and writing effectively. I use all of these skills in my job as I study the Bible and prepare for Bible Studies.
What additional skills did you need to learn in order to do your job, and how did you learn them?
In seminary and in my Biblical Counseling certification, I learned how to listen and best administer care and compassion to others. These skills have needed lots of time and continual practice, and I am always learning and growing. I also gained invaluable education on the Bible while in seminary and how to teach it to others.
Are there common misconceptions about your career field, which current English majors might share, that you have learned the truth about?
Once I heard that all ministry workers do is sit and read their Bibles. This makes me think of English majors—all they may seem to do is sit and read literature. This is far from the truth. For English majors and ministry workers alike, there are countless hours of reflection—pondering and wrestling what a text means, what the author was thinking, or how it could apply to the intended audience. The ministry field and the English major both require a lot of hard work and dedication, and in a lot of ways, you get what you put in.
In what ways does your career enrich your life and help you to achieve your personal as well as your professional goals?
I am beyond blessed that I get paid to do a job I would want to do for free. I am a highly relational person, and I do not work well behind a desk all day. There are many careers in ministry that are behind-the-scenes and often behind a desk, but I am so thankful that my “office” is often at coffee shops, parks, homes, and more. I get to spend countless hours studying God’s Word that means more to me than breath itself, and I get to work with an incredible community that is always building me up.
What advice do you have for undergraduate English majors right now who might want to follow the career path you did?
I was once told, “If you can do anything other than ministry, do it.” Ministry is hard and demanding. However, I often could not sleep through the night because I knew I was being called into this career path. Although physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually demanding, I truly do consider myself blessed to be able to make a living doing what I love. To those thinking about this career path, first and foremost, pray. Pray that God would make it abundantly clear that this is where He’s calling you. Secondly, talk to others. Ask for input from those who know you well, and talk with others you know in the ministry field.
[Updated May 2025]