I'm in my third year as a full-time Oregon State University student pursuing a Bachelor of Arts as an English Major/Writing Minor. After completing my degree, my long-term goal is a career in the publishing field. I believe books have a significant influence on individuals and society, and I think working with authors to create them would be an amazing opportunity.My coursework at OSU so far has been great preparation for work in this field. I have been able to expand my view of literature, understand complicated subjects, and practice my close reading, among other skills. One course that will be particularly helpful in the future is WR399: Publishing Practicum. In this course, we learned about the different stages of publishing, and the different jobs that are needed in the field. I completed a final project that allowed me to reinforce skills we practiced, such as rhetorical analysis.If I had to choose one skill that I find most important from my previous work experience, it would be effective communication. As a nanny, and in my current job at TJ Maxx, communication is essential. Not only is it important to be clear, but I believe it's also incredibly valuable to be considerate and kind when communicating with others. This skill transfers to any position I may have in the future.