Amanda Lewis
Why did you choose your program at UBC and what did you enjoy most about it?
I finished my undergrad degree and then did my graduate studies in English literature at UBC. I chose to stay at UBC due to the calibre of the faculty and the library system. Specifically, I was interested in continuing studies in print culture and book history, and rounding out some of my studies in drama.
What were some of your most meaningful experiences at UBC?
I have fond memories of dressing as a suffragette to deliver a seminar presentation in Dr. Mary Chapman’s course on suffrage literature. I also valued being an inaugural member of the post-grad certificate program in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education. This program introduced me to students across the university. I developed multiple approaches to teaching and learning, and improved my presentation skills.
Generally, studying and chatting with friends and colleagues in the grad student lounge were some of my finest times at UBC.
What choices did you make at UBC that contributed to your career success / journey?
I was literary editor of the undergrad journal, which led to me finding work as a project manager at Rebus Creative, then applying to the Publishing program at SFU.
What was your first job after graduation and what other jobs did you have before your current position?
I was the Adopt-a-Library Program Manager at Rebus Creative in Vancouver, then became an intern at Knopf Canada (Penguin Random House) in Toronto. I stayed at Penguin Random House for eight years before going freelance and joining the team at Page Two in Vancouver, where I was editorial director for six years. I now run my own editing business.
Is your current career path as you originally intended? What challenges did you face in launching your career?
I didn’t plan on getting into publishing, but once I launched my career I found that editing and publishing were the perfect industry for my sensibility, curiosity and skill set. I found lots of initial support for my career, from profs who connected me to those in the industry, to mentors who guided me in-house.
What do you like about current job and what do you find challenging? How does it relate to your degree?
I like my level of autonomy in running my business, and I love supporting authors, especially in the early stages of their books. As the sole representative of my company, I do find it difficult to know where to put up guardrails, how to structure my time, and what to do next, but I love the challenge of working for myself.
My degrees at UBC perfectly prepared me for editing by giving me a solid grounding in various approaches to interpreting texts and delivering feedback on writing. I made sure to study a wide variety of genres, and that exposure to lots of styles of writing has served me well, as I now feel equipped to tackle multiple genres.
I am also a first-time author. My debut book, Tracking Giants: Big Trees, Tiny Triumphs, and Misadventures in the Forest, comes out with Greystone Books on May 30, 2023. Tracking Giants has a distinctly UBC starting point: my book is about searching for the Champion trees of BC, as recorded by the BC Big Tree Registry, maintained by the Faculty of Forestry.
From your experience, what has been the value of having an Arts degree?
I have the confidence to think creatively and critically.
What advice would you give your graduating self?
Take more breaks! You can’t study all the time.
Amanda Lewis
Why did you choose your program at UBC and what did you enjoy most about it?
I finished my undergrad degree and then did my graduate studies in English literature at UBC. I chose to stay at UBC due to the calibre of the faculty and the library system. Specifically, I was interested in continuing studies in print culture and book history, and rounding out some of my studies in drama.
What were some of your most meaningful experiences at UBC?
I have fond memories of dressing as a suffragette to deliver a seminar presentation in Dr. Mary Chapman’s course on suffrage literature. I also valued being an inaugural member of the post-grad certificate program in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education. This program introduced me to students across the university. I developed multiple approaches to teaching and learning, and improved my presentation skills.
Generally, studying and chatting with friends and colleagues in the grad student lounge were some of my finest times at UBC.
What choices did you make at UBC that contributed to your career success / journey?
I was literary editor of the undergrad journal, which led to me finding work as a project manager at Rebus Creative, then applying to the Publishing program at SFU.
What was your first job after graduation and what other jobs did you have before your current position?
I was the Adopt-a-Library Program Manager at Rebus Creative in Vancouver, then became an intern at Knopf Canada (Penguin Random House) in Toronto. I stayed at Penguin Random House for eight years before going freelance and joining the team at Page Two in Vancouver, where I was editorial director for six years. I now run my own editing business.
Is your current career path as you originally intended? What challenges did you face in launching your career?
I didn’t plan on getting into publishing, but once I launched my career I found that editing and publishing were the perfect industry for my sensibility, curiosity and skill set. I found lots of initial support for my career, from profs who connected me to those in the industry, to mentors who guided me in-house.
What do you like about current job and what do you find challenging? How does it relate to your degree?
I like my level of autonomy in running my business, and I love supporting authors, especially in the early stages of their books. As the sole representative of my company, I do find it difficult to know where to put up guardrails, how to structure my time, and what to do next, but I love the challenge of working for myself.
My degrees at UBC perfectly prepared me for editing by giving me a solid grounding in various approaches to interpreting texts and delivering feedback on writing. I made sure to study a wide variety of genres, and that exposure to lots of styles of writing has served me well, as I now feel equipped to tackle multiple genres.
I am also a first-time author. My debut book, Tracking Giants: Big Trees, Tiny Triumphs, and Misadventures in the Forest, comes out with Greystone Books on May 30, 2023. Tracking Giants has a distinctly UBC starting point: my book is about searching for the Champion trees of BC, as recorded by the BC Big Tree Registry, maintained by the Faculty of Forestry.
From your experience, what has been the value of having an Arts degree?
I have the confidence to think creatively and critically.
What advice would you give your graduating self?
Take more breaks! You can’t study all the time.
