Kailey Nelson

1. What do you do?

I am a part-time adjunct lecturer for elementary French courses at Georgia Gwinnett College while I work on an application to a French Ph.D. program.

2. What’s the coolest part of your job?

I love seeing the ah-ha moment in my students when a concept clicks. I also love thinking of creative projects and assignments that have them engage with the content in unique ways. Each student has a different learning style and learning goals. I take it as a fun challenge to reach every student where they are and to get them where they want to be.

3. Why are you passionate about it?

My own language learning experience inspires my desire to make language learning fun, accessible, and useful for all academic paths. The problem-solving skills you gain when learning a language apply to all fields. Being able to help students find their interests and foster their curiosity makes all of the late-night grading sessions worth it!

4. Which skills from your IAC degree have helped you be successful in this career?

It is true that to be completely comfortable with a topic, you should be able to explain it to someone who has no idea what you're talking about. Creating presentations and doing professional development in my master's program really prepared me for creating in-depth lectures and answering questions related to the topic at hand.

5. What’s your #1 tip for students and alumni interested in your field?

The passion for your subject is unmistakable. If you have the chance to dip your toe into your career choice, as I did working as a teaching assistant during my program at Georgia Tech, it will either solidify your interest in the path or redirect you. My personal experience as a teaching assistant reaffirmed my love for teaching, and my program bolstered my love for the French language. Combining those two experiences was a natural fall into my current position. Don't be afraid to try something you think you will love, you probably will!