Christye Watkins reported back to us earlier this year about events in her life since graduating, as Christye Estes, nearly seven years ago. An English creative writing major, Christye, now married (obviously, given the name-change), works as editor-in-chief of all outward-facing content for Volt Athletics, a Seattle fitness firm whose mission is “to provide all athletes and teams with affordable access to professionally-built strength and conditioning.” She’s also author of Volt’s blog. To top off her skill set, Christye’s become a certified strength and conditioning specialist. “My position allows me to marry my two loves,” she says: “writing and the human body.”
“I chose to major in English because it combined so many other disciplines that I loved and couldn’t decide between,” Christye writes in an email. “One year after graduation, if you’d asked me if I’d have chosen differently, I would have said yes. Now going on seven years post-undergrad, I wouldn’t have changed a . . . thing.”
“Never thought I’d actually be able to turn that writing degree into a legitimate career, but not a day goes back that I’m not thankful for it.” Christye’s sentiment isn’t that unusual, though her dynamism and drive certainly are. Her path shows what can be done with the skills provided by an English major applied to a life that reflects the whole person living it.
Speaking candidly, Christye has this to say about her choice of major, ten years after applying to English: “It’s funny how the thing you choose when you’re a dumb eighteen-year-old can turn out wonderfully for your twenty-eight-year-old self!”
Wonderfully indeed, Christye. We in English are proud of your accomplishments!