Alexandra Charlton
Alex graduated with a BA in English Literature and History in 2018 and went on to pursue a career in Education. Alex currently works as a Teacher of English at a Secondary School.
About Alexandra's career
Describe your current role:
I work as a Teacher of English at a local secondary school. In my role, I am able to share a love of all things English with pupils. We have a real emphasis on reading for enjoyment as well as academic success. I genuinely feel privileged to have a role where I am able to work with so many talented young people each day.
There were many occasions when I sought support in writing my dissertation, articulating my ideas and deciding which career path I wanted to take. On all occasions, the staff showed a genuine interest and seemed to be ‘rooting’ for me.
How did you get into this field after studying Literature and History at Newcastle?
I finished my BA in English Literature and History in 2018. After graduating, I worked as a Learning Support Assistant at a college, where I supported students with additional learning needs. From this, I realised that I wanted to pursue a career as a teacher and subsequently completed my PGCE course at Durham University from 2019-2020.
Studying Literature and History at Newcastle University
How has studying Literature and History at Newcastle helped you in your career?
Studying Literature and History at Newcastle allowed me to explore a range of texts, writers and time periods that I would not have encountered otherwise. Although I had always enjoyed Literature and History, the content I studied at Newcastle, as well as the lecturers who supported me, nurtured my love of the subject further. The subject knowledge I gained and the enjoyment I found from the course have helped me to feel confident in teaching English and sharing my knowledge with others.
What advice would you give to a student interested in studying Literature and History?
Do it! Also, choose modules that interest you and don’t be afraid to try something completely different- I studied modules ranging from the history of Pre-Columbian and Spanish America, to Children’s Literature. Take advantage of the variety of modules offered (especially when you have the added benefit of studying a joint honours degree). My other piece of advice would be to take advantage of the expertise of lecturers and university staff - don’t be afraid to ask questions and seek support.
What was the best thing about studying literature and History at Newcastle?
It’s extremely difficult to narrow it down to one thing. However, I would say the support given by staff at the university. There were many occasions where I sought support in writing my dissertation, articulating my ideas and deciding which career path I wanted to take. On all occasions, the staff showed a genuine interest and seemed to be ‘rooting’ for me.