Alicia Abbaspour ’18

Current occupation:

Psychotherapist, QTPOC/Trauma/Chronic Health LMSW at Brooklyn Integrative Psychological Services.

Why did you choose to Major in English Literature?

From as early as I can remember, I loved reading. Books were both a source of escape and solace. The older I got, the more my interests diversified, but I felt like the common denominator in everything I was interested in was ultimately storytelling. My first semester at Trinity I took a Victorian literature class with Professor Bilston, and truthfully I went in a bit apprehensively. I wasn’t sure what I’d like about British literature from the 1800s. But, for me, the most basic truth about reading is that a good story can make you interested in the most unexpected topics, and that class sealed the deal for me.

What did you enjoy about Majoring in English at Trinity?

Beyond the material, I loved how I could feel the respect and kinship between our English professors. It made the English department become a small corner of campus that felt like a home. I loved learning from everyone’s specific interests, and I treasured how open everyone was to ideas that veered off our syllabus. While I added another major and minor by the time I graduated, my English major was the supportive foundation I needed throughout my four years.

How did an English Major prepare you for your career?

In obvious ways—like learning how to be a good writer, how to structure your writing and be precise with your words. But also in less obvious ways! My life after college has led me down lots of different paths, from criminal legal advocacy work to teaching art to practicing as a psychotherapist. A few months ago, when I was in a training seminar for therapy, I realized so much of my day-to-day work is just an exercise in close reading—listening to patients describe their thoughts and emotions, and trying to tease out a common thread.