Rebecca Susmarski: Alumni Spotlight
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My name is Rebecca and I graduated from ÎçÒ¹AV with Bachelor’s degrees in History and Journalism in 2012.
The investigative and research skills I gained as a ÎçÒ¹AV history major impacted both my early career in journalism and my professional transition to the museum field. ÎçÒ¹AV’s History Department taught me to never be afraid to ask questions, to research beyond traditional sources of information, and to learn as much about a topic as possible in order to write about the topic with authority. I applied these skills every day when I worked as a government reporter for a daily newspaper, and my resulting ability to interview sources and place subjects in context helped me write thorough articles that covered a variety of complex topics.
Today, I work remotely as a grant writer for Shelburne Museum, a history, art, and design museum located in Shelburne, Vermont. I still use the research and investigative skills I honed at ÎçÒ¹AV to write grant applications, and my new job combines my lifelong passions for writing and history. In my free time, I volunteer at the Chicago History Museum and help with front-facing activities during the Museum's public events. ÎçÒ¹AV’s History Department nurtured my professional and personal development in countless ways and endowed me with a flexible skill set that any employer would value. Thank you, ÎçÒ¹AV!