A Passion Rediscovered: English Major Finds Joy, Career Skills in Humanities

LOGAN — For many students, the path to a career is a straight line, but for Utah State University graduate Yasamin Osqueezadeh, it was a journey of rediscovery that led her from the halls of medicine to the narrative world of the humanities.

Osqueezadeh, a resident of Logan, originally planned to pursue a career in medicine due to cultural and family reasons. However, after looking back at her high school and early college English classes, she found her true passion.

"I realized that's kind of where I was the happiest," Osqueezadeh said. "I enjoyed reading and writing. I enjoyed connecting my reading to current world issues. I enjoyed being involved in my local and global communities. That's where I found the most joy."

This realization was bolstered by her experience at InTech Collegiate Academy, where an early college program let her spend two years on the USU Logan campus as a high schooler. By the time she officially enrolled, Osqueezadeh had already established a place within the Department of English and solidified her goal to pursue literature and eventually a career in academia.

Since committing to the humanities, Osqueezadeh focused on building a well-rounded skill set that she believes is essential for success in today’s job market. Her academic career was marked by diverse experiences that extended far beyond the traditional classroom setting.

Osqueezadeh traveled to South Carolina to conduct hands-on research regarding the presentation of history at plantation sites. This project allowed her to tackle contemporary issues of historical censorship and public education, using skills she’d learned in the classroom.

"When you leave that academic space and engage with the community, you get to learn how to apply that academic knowledge to the real world," Osqueezadeh said. "Getting those hands-on experiences allows you to interact with the literature that's being presented in front of you in a much deeper way."

In addition to her travel research, Osqueezadeh presented at multiple conferences, including the USU Research Symposium and with the Sema Hadithi African American Heritage and Culture Foundation. Her presentations often focused on historical figures like David Oliver, the third Black lawyer in Utah, highlighting his advocacy against police brutality and for civil rights.

Another key focus for Osqueezadeh was community engagement, highlighted by her work with Sunrise High School students to explore Black history in Utah.

Now a graduate, Osqueezadeh encourages current students in the College of Arts and Sciences to remain confident in their career prospects by focusing on the versatile skills their degrees provide.

Osqueezadeh plans to transition directly into graduate studies with the goal of pursuing a career in academia. By continuing to present her research at symposia and building upon her professional CV, she intends to leverage her skills in research, analysis and education to bridge the gap between academic theory and community impact.

"Try your best to develop a well-rounded skill set that can be applied everywhere," Osqueezadeh said. "The humanities and arts already do that for you. The skill sets that you are learning while going into school can be applied to so many different jobs, so many different roles."