When you think about a career in tech, “English major” may not be the first thing that comes to mind, but for Erin Rovelstad, a 2011 Denison graduate, it was the perfect foundation for her current role as a Senior Technical Writer at Google. Erin’s career is a testament to the power of a liberal arts education and how unexpected paths can lead to fulfilling and impactful careers.
At Google, Erin plays a vital role in ensuring that the company’s software engineers have the resources they need to work efficiently. As a Senior Technical Writer, she crafts detailed documentation that helps engineers understand and utilize complex systems. This user-focused documentation is designed to answer engineers’ questions quickly and clearly, allowing them to get their work done faster with fewer hurdles. “It’s about making sure the engineers can access the information they need without having to ask questions, which speeds up the whole process,” Erin explains. She works with a range of technical teams, translating intricate concepts into easily understandable guides.
From English and Sociology to Tech Writing, Erin’s journey to Google wasn’t exactly a straight line. As a Denison student, she expected to go on to grad school and pursue a career in academia, particularly in cultural or media studies. However, Erin found herself navigating a diverse set of roles, from freelance grant writing to editorial assistant for a peer-reviewed journal, before finding her true calling in technical writing.
“Denison helped me develop the critical thinking skills I needed to adapt to new situations. Without my liberal arts education, I don’t think I would have been able to transition through such a varied career path,” Erin reflects. Her experiences at Denison, from studying English to engaging with Sociology/Anthropology and Vocal Performance, gave her a unique skill set that has been invaluable in her tech career.
Erin’s journey exemplifies how a liberal arts education doesn’t just prepare you for one specific career but equips you with the flexibility to adapt to an ever-changing professional landscape. “The wide variety of classes and experiences I had at Denison helped me develop critical thinking skills that have been crucial in navigating my winding career,” she says.
Whether it was writing grants, working on a journal, or eventually finding her place at Google, Erin’s ability to think critically and communicate effectively has been central to her success. “I never imagined I’d end up in technical writing for a tech giant, but those core liberal arts skills made it possible,” she says.
Erin has some valuable advice for current Denison students: “You don’t have to know what you want to do forever right at graduation. Things change, and you might discover that the career you thought you wanted isn’t the right fit for you. I wish I’d known that at 21. The career I ended up in didn’t even exist when I graduated!”
She encourages students to keep an open mind and explore different paths, even if it means venturing into uncharted territory. “Sometimes, it takes time to figure out where you truly belong.”
Erin also reminds us that it’s okay if it takes a while to find the right fit. “It took me until I was 28 to find the career I wanted and until I was 30 to find an employer I truly enjoyed working for. Sometimes, finding where you belong takes a little time.”
If you’d like to hear more about Erin’s career journey or want advice on navigating an unexpected career path, feel free to reach out to her on LinkedIn: Erin Rovelstad on LinkedIn.
