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How can I blend my passion for the Classics with advocacy work on campus, and what advice do you have for finding or creating spaces where these two interests can intersect?
-I am a classics and English major
- I am passionate about justice and hope to be a justice someday
- I love to do random projects like painting historical peg dolls and writing creative writing stories
- I am looking to find avenues in college where I can bland my passions together
- I am accepted to Columbia so I am hoping to be in NYC for the next 4 years
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4 answers
Steward "Tony" Pacheco
Minister, USMC Vet, John C. Maxwell Cert. Coach, Trainer, Speaker, Teacher, Straight Shooter
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Steward "Tony"’s Answer
As A NYC guy in Texas, I am happy to see that you have interest in studying in NYC with these two very enterprising skills, you love to create but are drawn to the antiquity's lifestyle. NYC has so much of what you desire in interest and even more in decisions. It's not Texas but I love Texas.
Architecture is in my opinion, a great direction to start. Your eye for the intricate and your skill for the documented will go far in the design industry. I hope I am on point here because it just flashed into my mind's eye.
You will never work a day in your life if you are doing something you love! Enjoy and have a blast! You always have time to change directions, just soak up all the data you can & have fun!
P.S. do not get caught up in any political crazy, because your clients (those who will eventually pay you) will come in all flavors of industry & belief systems
Architecture is in my opinion, a great direction to start. Your eye for the intricate and your skill for the documented will go far in the design industry. I hope I am on point here because it just flashed into my mind's eye.
You will never work a day in your life if you are doing something you love! Enjoy and have a blast! You always have time to change directions, just soak up all the data you can & have fun!
P.S. do not get caught up in any political crazy, because your clients (those who will eventually pay you) will come in all flavors of industry & belief systems
Updated
Sneha’s Answer
Hi Calista! Congratulations on Columbia! That’s an incredible place to explore and blend your passions. Your background in Classics and English pairs beautifully with advocacy work, you could start by creating or joining a campus group that explores justice through the lens of history, literature, or philosophy. You might also pitch a column in a student publication or host workshops where you connect ancient texts to modern movements for equity and reform. Use your creativity like your peg doll projects or storytelling to make history feel alive and relevant. In NYC, you’ll also have access to museums, libraries, and advocacy orgs that would love someone with your thoughtful, interdisciplinary perspective. Good luck!
Updated
Rob’s Answer
If your dream is to pursue a career in law, start planning early during your college years. Here's some encouraging advice:
First, connect with a mentor at your school and keep in touch with them often. Their support can be incredibly helpful. Next, meet with your academic advisor to make sure your classes are setting you up well for law school and the LSATs, and help you stand out as a law school applicant. If there's a pre-law program available, think about joining it. Also, remember that your grades are really important when applying to graduate schools, so keep working hard to maintain a strong academic record. You've got this!
First, connect with a mentor at your school and keep in touch with them often. Their support can be incredibly helpful. Next, meet with your academic advisor to make sure your classes are setting you up well for law school and the LSATs, and help you stand out as a law school applicant. If there's a pre-law program available, think about joining it. Also, remember that your grades are really important when applying to graduate schools, so keep working hard to maintain a strong academic record. You've got this!
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Calista !
You ask a very interesting question !
I think the best way for you to blend your two interests on campus would be to start a Literacy Program through the English Department and have it open to the community. Do some research to justify the need and maybe you can get paid to do this on campus through the Work Study Program. Talk with the financial aid officer at Columbia University about the Work Study Program which you can apply for on the Federal Student Financial Aid Application. Directing and managing a Literacy Program blends your ability to improve the lives of children and adults while utilizing your love of the English written word.
Another way to blend the two would be to consider taking a hands on film course or video (or research how to do this) and write a screenplay about an issue you find important. You could even collaborate with the Theatre Department to do it on stage.
Take a social work class to learn more about what advocacy is and how it is implemented. You advocate for people every time you make their life easier and this can be done with fast results whether it's for an individual or a group of people that have a need. Their need should outweigh your thoughts. Find a need first and the people it can effect. By doing this you may see concrete results. Give it some time to explore, something people may be expressing and let their needs guide you. Much of what is needed by people in the way of advocacy is not connected to classic literature. You can always do Advocacy volunteer work. Ask about volunteer work as an advocate at any number of the numerous social service organizations in New York City.
What about Children's Theatre ? You as the playwright ? You can write some children's short plays that would introduce children to classic styles. You can cast it with actors from the theatre department.
I hope this helps and I wish you all the best !
You ask a very interesting question !
I think the best way for you to blend your two interests on campus would be to start a Literacy Program through the English Department and have it open to the community. Do some research to justify the need and maybe you can get paid to do this on campus through the Work Study Program. Talk with the financial aid officer at Columbia University about the Work Study Program which you can apply for on the Federal Student Financial Aid Application. Directing and managing a Literacy Program blends your ability to improve the lives of children and adults while utilizing your love of the English written word.
Another way to blend the two would be to consider taking a hands on film course or video (or research how to do this) and write a screenplay about an issue you find important. You could even collaborate with the Theatre Department to do it on stage.
Take a social work class to learn more about what advocacy is and how it is implemented. You advocate for people every time you make their life easier and this can be done with fast results whether it's for an individual or a group of people that have a need. Their need should outweigh your thoughts. Find a need first and the people it can effect. By doing this you may see concrete results. Give it some time to explore, something people may be expressing and let their needs guide you. Much of what is needed by people in the way of advocacy is not connected to classic literature. You can always do Advocacy volunteer work. Ask about volunteer work as an advocate at any number of the numerous social service organizations in New York City.
What about Children's Theatre ? You as the playwright ? You can write some children's short plays that would introduce children to classic styles. You can cast it with actors from the theatre department.
I hope this helps and I wish you all the best !