Lana Gibson

Studies in English Literature sharpened Lana’s critical thinking, analysis, and communication abilities, skills she depends on to run a data strategy business.

I love reading! Dad gave me counterculture novels like Jack Kerouac’s On the Road when I was a teenager, which allowed me to go road-tripping across the United States of America from my bedroom in Palmerston North. I took my degree with no career goal, although my parents told me that it would help me get a job as long as no practical skills were required! My degree allowed me to escape into different times and places, and it challenged my beliefs and values. I loved learning about different perspectives on the same topic. For example, I studied 1960s’ USA in Art History, English, and Political Science.

Studying English certainly sharpened my critical thinking and communications skills. I learnt how to explore a concept using different reference points, and use evidence to make a persuasive case. It helps with my data work now as I use Google Analytics, search engine optimisation, and other data to understand user needs. I get insights from these data sources to form a recommendation, and communication is crucial to get the data understood and acted on by those who use it.

My degree helped me get a temping office job in London where I gained digital experience. I then landed a content writing job on a New Zealand government website, which opened the door to different digital roles. Critical thinking skills help me take advantage of opportunities, and communicating the value of data helps me attract new clients. My degree enabled me to keep my mind on the people using tech products and that is a lot of the value in what I do. It’s not called a humanities degree for nothing. A bit of imagination also helps—the internet is a strange, intangible thing.

English won’t suit pragmatists who want to map out their career and income trajectory. Do it if you want the skills to communicate, respond to change, and are happy to learn throughout your career. I love this Jack Kerouac quote: “My life is a vast, inconsequential epic with a thousand and a million characters—here they all come, as swiftly we roll east, as swiftly the earth rolls east.”

And be aware that spouting pretentious quotes is an unavoidable side effect of taking an English degree!

Lana is an analytics and data strategist for her own business, Lanalytics.