We’ve asked our alumni what it was like working for the TGDP, and these are their responses.
What would you tell a current student at UT about why they should work for the TGDP?
Ryan Harty
Testing longer response texts in the featured responses. It’s probably best to choose responses that are somewhat shorter to be featured. Generally speaking, it will be good to give a nice sampler to people who like to skim. Those who want to dig deeper can read the longer ones in the section below. That said, the current setup may still be a little too limiting. I think we should allow texts that are about this long. Testing longer response texts in the featured responses. It’s probably best to choose responses that are somewhat shorter to be featured.
Ryan Harty
Testing longer response texts in the featured responses. It’s probably best to choose responses that are somewhat shorter to be featured. Generally speaking, it will be good to give a nice sampler to people who like to skim. Those who want to dig deeper can read the longer ones in the section below. That said, the current setup may still be a little too limiting. I think we should allow texts that are about this long.
Ryan Harty
Testing longer response texts in the featured responses. It’s probably best to choose responses that are somewhat shorter to be featured. Generally speaking, it will be good to give a nice sampler to people who like to skim. Those who want to dig deeper can read the longer ones in the section below.
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Kathleen Smith
“If you have any interest in languages, linguistics, and cultural studies, working with Hans Boas and the TGDP is a fantastic way to get real life, hands-on experience working in those fields. Sometimes the benefits are obvious and concrete, such as being able to list skills and experiences on a resume. And that’s great. But, other times, the benefits are less obvious at first and may surprise you with how they become relevant later in life. Personally, I think the less-obvious benefits have broader applications and are ultimately more powerful – such as developing cultural awareness, developing an awareness for how things like language and culture change over time and influence each other, and how they influence us as individuals. To anyone who has doubts about the usefulness of those less-tangible skills regarding earning a living, I suggest considering the current and growing importance of soft skills in the careers of today and tomorrow – such as communication and leadership skills, emotional intelligence, adaptability, and generally just developing the ability to think and reason for yourself in a world full of influences and influencers.”
Ji Hyun Ahn
“I would highly encourage them to work for the TGDP. One would find it a rare opportunity to contribute to document the language and the culture of the people, and to benefit from career development opportunities enabled by the supportive work culture and helpful training sessions.”
Sandy Schwalen
“It’s a very unique project with a great team, interesting and varying tasks, and flexible hours. You will definitely improve your German skills and learn to think about the language in a new way.”
Martin Riedl
“Working for TGDP is an exciting opportunity to explore local Texas German communities and document a language and group of people that have left a large imprint on the State of Texas. If you want to know Texas, and live, study, and work in Austin, you need to know about Texas Germans – working for the TGDP is a great way to do just that.”
Nicholas Wilson
“It is a job unlike any other that you will have in life, and it will leave you with a finer understanding of the dynamics of language change, language’s role in cultural identity, and Texas history. The work itself often involves listening to some fascinating stories about the speakers’ personal and family histories and often provided a window into a completely different America than the one that I grew up in. The staff are also great, of course.”
Which skills did you acquire while working for the TGDP that were useful for your career?
Ryan Harty
Testing longer response texts in the featured responses. It’s probably best to choose responses that are somewhat shorter to be featured. Generally speaking, it will be good to give a nice sampler to people who like to skim. Those who want to dig deeper can read the longer ones in the section below. That said, the current setup may still be a little too limiting. I think we should allow texts that are about this long.
Ryan Harty
Testing longer response texts in the featured responses. It’s probably best to choose responses that are somewhat shorter to be featured. Generally speaking, it will be good to give a nice sampler to people who like to skim. Those who want to dig deeper can read the longer ones in the section below. That said, the current setup may still be a little too limiting. I think we should allow texts that are about this long.
Ryan Harty
Testing longer response texts in the featured responses. It’s probably best to choose responses that are somewhat shorter to be featured. Generally speaking, it will be good to give a nice sampler to people who like to skim. Those who want to dig deeper can read the longer ones in the section below. That said, the current setup may still be a little too limiting. I think we should allow texts that are about this long.
More
More
Kathleen Smith
“Working for TGDP is an exciting opportunity to explore local Texas German communities and document a language and group of people that have left a large imprint on the State of Texas. If you want to know Texas, and live, study, and work in Austin, you need to know about Texas Germans – working for the TGDP is a great way to do just that.” – Martin Riedl
Kathleen Smith
“It’s a very unique project with a great team, interesting and varying tasks, and flexible hours. You will definitely improve your German skills and learn to think about the language in a new way.” – Sandy Schwalen
Kathleen Smith
“Working for TGDP is an exciting opportunity to explore local Texas German communities and document a language and group of people that have left a large imprint on the State of Texas. If you want to know Texas, and live, study, and work in Austin, you need to know about Texas Germans – working for the TGDP is a great way to do just that.” – Martin Riedl
Kathleen Smith
“Working for TGDP is an exciting opportunity to explore local Texas German communities and document a language and group of people that have left a large imprint on the State of Texas. If you want to know Texas, and live, study, and work in Austin, you need to know about Texas Germans – working for the TGDP is a great way to do just that.” – Martin Riedl
Kathleen Smith
“If you have any interest in languages, linguistics, and cultural studies, working with Hans Boas and the TGDP is a fantastic way to get real life, hands-on experience working in those fields. Sometimes the benefits are obvious and concrete, such as being able to list skills and experiences on a resume. And that’s great. But, other times, the benefits are less obvious at first and may surprise you with how they become relevant later in life. Personally, I think the less-obvious benefits have broader applications and are ultimately more powerful – such as developing cultural awareness, developing an awareness for how things like language and culture change over time and influence each other, and how they influence us as individuals. To anyone who has doubts about the usefulness of those less-tangible skills regarding earning a living, I suggest considering the current and growing importance of soft skills in the careers of today and tomorrow – such as communication and leadership skills, emotional intelligence, adaptability, and generally just developing the ability to think and reason for yourself in a world full of influences and influencers.”
Kathleen Smith
“It’s a very unique project with a great team, interesting and varying tasks, and flexible hours. You will definitely improve your German skills and learn to think about the language in a new way.” – Sandy Schwalen
Kathleen Smith
“It’s a very unique project with a great team, interesting and varying tasks, and flexible hours. You will definitely improve your German skills and learn to think about the language in a new way.” – Sandy Schwalen
Kathleen Smith
“If you have any interest in languages, linguistics, and cultural studies, working with Hans Boas and the TGDP is a fantastic way to get real life, hands-on experience working in those fields. Sometimes the benefits are obvious and concrete, such as being able to list skills and experiences on a resume. And that’s great. But, other times, the benefits are less obvious at first and may surprise you with how they become relevant later in life. Personally, I think the less-obvious benefits have broader applications and are ultimately more powerful – such as developing cultural awareness, developing an awareness for how things like language and culture change over time and influence each other, and how they influence us as individuals. To anyone who has doubts about the usefulness of those less-tangible skills regarding earning a living, I suggest considering the current and growing importance of soft skills in the careers of today and tomorrow – such as communication and leadership skills, emotional intelligence, adaptability, and generally just developing the ability to think and reason for yourself in a world full of influences and influencers.”
Kathleen Smith
“It’s a very unique project with a great team, interesting and varying tasks, and flexible hours. You will definitely improve your German skills and learn to think about the language in a new way.” – Sandy Schwalen
Kathleen Smith
“It’s a very unique project with a great team, interesting and varying tasks, and flexible hours. You will definitely improve your German skills and learn to think about the language in a new way.” – Sandy Schwalen