Erica Passoni

Why did you choose the Medieval and Early Modern Studies programme?

Because the Master's programme was highly interdisciplinary and focused on a large historical period.

What did you particularly like about your degree programme?

That we also had practical experience, e.g. we received training in the ZPD for Digital Humanities.

What was the most surprising thing about your degree programme for you?

Learning about Digital Humanities because I wasn't aware that you can do so much with computer programmes and literature and history.

What did you originally want to be and what do you actually do today?

I wanted to have an academic career and eventually become a professor. I'm currently working on my PhD and applying for postdocs and tenure-track positions in the US and Europe. I've also done a lot of teaching in recent years.

What does a typical working day look like for you?

When I teach, it's a mixture of course preparation and corrections. This year I'm doing research, which means I'm working a lot in archives (various archives in Europe) and writing my doctoral thesis. I am also very active in workshops, advanced seminars and conferences.

How did your degree programme prepare you for your current job?

Since the Master's programme, I have been working in a very interdisciplinary way.

What advice would you like to give future students?

Try to have as much extracurricular experience as possible. For example, go on excursions, meetings, conferences and talk to lots of academics. The MA Medieval and Early Modern Studies offers a lot of this.