Navigating the gaps and differences as a young migrant, Associate Professor Julie Y. Chu found anthropology and its methods of understanding the world most fitting. Professor Chu shares anecdotes of encounters as a child and student that led her to become a professor after working in grassroots and nonprofit organizations. 

Associate Professor Kristen Schilt from the Department of Sociology talks about her childhood interest in Punk and Riot grrrl and how a sociology course gave her the tools to combine her interest with studying the world. With positive experiences in teaching classes as a teaching assistant, Professor Schilt finds academia the best place for her research. Professor Schilt hopes to shift the world's unjust perspectives through books, films, and mentorships. 

William H. Colvin Professor, Chris Kennedy from the Department of Linguistics, majored in Russian Language and Literature in college and had a musical career in a rock band after graduation. An ivy poison incident pivoted his career path, putting him on a trajectory focusing on linguistics and related disciplines. Listen to Professor Kennedy's windy career course here!

Willemien Otten is the Dorothy Grant Maclear Professor of Theology and the History of Christianity from the Divinity School. Growing up with her father, a pastor, in the Netherlands, Professor Otten found her calling in reading and interpreting the works of Eriugena. The encyclopedic work of Eriugena provided various insights into human life and nature, which matched Professor Otten's interests. In this episode of The Course, she shares her career and research at the University of Chicago and how religious texts can be relevant to contemporary issues like women's reproductive rights.

Associate Professor Jennifer Scappettone is from the Departments of English Language and Literature and Creative Writing. On The Course this week, she elaborates on her zigzagged career path, from studying history to teaching English in Japan to managing study abroad programs in Central Italy. Right when she thought she had forgotten English as a language, she decided to pursue a graduate degree in English Literature and creative writing. Professor Scappettone's diverse interest is reflected by her interdisciplinary work and the course formats she creates for her students.

William Rainey Harper Professor, Patrick Jagoda, spoke no English as a child but grew up to become a professor in the English department. While forging his career path, Professor Jagoda incorporated his interests in various fields, from theater to experimentation to video games, to creative writing. He now walks a unique way built by many failures and his strong belief in collaboration and interdisciplinary. 

Chasing after castles and her own faith, Associate Professor Rachel F. Brown is now proudly an academic who teaches Medieval, Pslams, and Tolkien at the University of Chicago. In this episode, she talks about how her faith inspired and brought pushback to her career, pushes her students to be creative in her history classes, and challenges herself through various projects. Listen to this career story of a once-science major, a fencer, a poet, and many more.

Neubauer Professor, Heather Zheng, from the Department of Computer Science, shares her career story in this episode. From working outside of academia to eventually finding her love for mentoring students and enjoying the research freedom she gets from working at the University of Chicago. Professor Zheng believes that it is all about timing and readiness, and there is no need to stress because career paths are malleable.

Professor David Kovar from the Department of Molecular Genetics and Cell Biology talks about his journey to becoming a fundamental scientist at the University of Chicago. Entering college with hopes to become a soccer athlete, he later finds himself blown away by cell mechanisms and wanted to know more. Professor Kovar now continues his endeavor in understanding how healthy cells work with his teammates in the Kovar Lab. Listen to his career story and advice for young scientists.

David Lee Shillinglaw Distinguished Service Professor Ka Yee C. Lee from the Department of Chemistry has multiple roles at the University of Chicago. As a provost, researcher, and mentor for her students, she constantly aims to bring a positive impact to people and things around her. In this episode, Professor Lee describes her school days as a head girl in Hong Kong, her research passion, her ultimate vision as a professor, and her role in making the University's campus in Hong Kong come to life.