MA in English

Trang Ngo, 2023

How did you choose your specific area of study?

Previously, I earned my Bachelor’s of Arts at James Madison University through the WRTC program (Writing, Rhetoric, and Technical Communications). My concentration was Technical Communications. After graduating and working for a bit, I realized that I wanted to further my studies and earn a higher degree. And that was where I found Mason’s Professional and Technical Writing program.

How did your academic experiences in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences impact you?

Through the MA program, I’ve been able to reconnect the past knowledge that I’ve accumulated through my undergraduate career and past internship. I have really been able to work on and honing my skills for writing in different professional mediums, for example proper proposal writing and what different forms of deliverables are asked from employers and in a professional setting. I’m so grateful that I’ve had the chance to learn many new things about the industry and just understand how important writers are - more than I had before.

Of which accomplishment(s) during your time at Mason are you most proud?

I think I am most proud of being able to hone my ability to write better and more professionally after my time at Mason. As a student, my skills were definitely put to the test and with the various kinds of projects and assignments, I was able to push myself to new heights and discover more things about myself. 

Are there faculty or staff members who made a difference during your Mason career? 

This is a hard question because I honestly think everyone that I had the chance to interact with and study under helped make a difference during my Mason career. 

What advice would you give to an incoming cohort of graduate students?

My advice to future students would have to be to enjoy your time. Time flies by in the blink of an eye, and before you know it, you’re already done and on your way to the stage to graduate. Also, try to find time and ways to get engaged with the materials, whether it be what you’re reading or data that you are researching. It can seem dense or time consuming, but in the end, it is all worth it because you will feel grateful for all the knowledge that you have accumulated and all the great discussions you’ve had or will have in the future. 

What are your current career plans following graduation? What are your long-term career goals?

Currently, I would like to gain more experience in the writing world in addition to our George Mason English Department. For the future, it’s a little unclear because there are still a lot of factors to think about but I would like to continue on the path of professional and technical writing, be it in a government setting or a public setting - the future is still unknown.