By Sofia Cabrera

Department of English alumna Jennifer Lee has come full circle as she reflects on her undergraduate career and her current role as an academic advisor at Florida State University. Her interest in creative writing began when she took ENC 1101, a first-year introductory composition and rhetoric course.

“My instructor for the course was amazing, as she guided us to craft our reading and writing skills,” Lee says.

Despite that positive class experience, Lee was still unsure what she wanted to study as a first-year student. Initially, she majored in a STEM field, but she eventually changed to English with a focus in creative writing during her third year at FSU.

“It was a big switch for me, but looking back, I made the right decision,” Lee says.

Lee completed her undergraduate career by earning her Bachelor of Arts degree. After graduating in 2015, Lee took her talents abroad and became an English instructor in South Korea.

“I was an English instructor to adult learners for a year before I moved back home to Orlando, Florida, and applied for a master’s program,” she says.

At the time, it was coincidental when I applied, as I was not sure where I would be placed after my first interview. Yet, before I knew it, I began working for FSU’s English Department in Fall of 2020.

— Jennifer Lee

She returned to her FSU roots and enrolled in the Higher Education graduate program. While completing the program, Lee had a graduate assistantship for the Center for Academic Planning, where she developed skills to advise.

Lee graduated in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic with her Master of Science degree in Higher Education, and she applied for a position with FSU’s Advising First.

“At the time, it was coincidental when I applied, as I was not sure where I would be placed after my first interview,” Lee recalls. “Yet, before I knew it, I began working for FSU’s English Department in Fall of 2020.

“My position comes full circle as I am working in the very same office that my [English] advisor did.”

Today, her role as an academic advisor is to support students in various realms, such as reviewing course requirements and tracking their academic progress. The English advising team also assists with monitoring course enrollment and making recommendations to department chairs and staff based on demand and availability.

In addition to advising students for courses, Lee aims to be knowledgeable and up to date with university policies, resources, and opportunities. She wants to alleviate some stress and anxiety for those who schedule an appointment with her.

“In some cases, advising sessions can feel a little awkward; yet I try to mirror what the student is feeling and provide some guidance for the future,” she explains.

She points out how each individual student is different according to their degrees and careers. Because of this diverse student population, Lee has learned to switch into different advising methods based on a student’s academic year.

Specifically, she encourages freshmen to begin and end their first year on the right path.

“For freshmen, I recommend focusing on time management,” she says. “The advising team helps first-year students familiarize themselves with campus resources and discover tools and tips,” Lee adds.

Although the first year of college can be overwhelming, Lee encourages students to prioritize their health and not let their first year consume them.

On the other hand, a senior’s academic journey is quite different, and Lee advises those students to give themselves time to experience new opportunities.

“This is your journey and, in the end, not everyone's destination is the same,” Lee says. “Make sure you are doing what's best for you and not what's best for others.”

Students can schedule an in-person or virtual advising appointment with Lee. Her office is located on the 4th floor of the Williams Building, Room 460.

Sofia Cabrera is an English major, on the literature, media, and culture track, with a minor in education.

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