The Words Checks In with Zoe Scheuerman ’24

by Sarah Tachau ’27

Triple major in English, International Studies, and German at Mac and previous The Words Senior Newsletter Editor, Zoë Scheuerman graduated last year and has, literally and figuratively, crossed mountains and seas since stepping off campus. The Words sent a series of questions over to her in Innsbruck, Austria to check in with her postgrad excursions.

What have the months post grad looked like for you?

Very exciting and very busy! My Fulbright grant is called the Community-based Combined Grant. It’s a combination of teaching English, taking university courses, and working at a local nonprofit organization. There are a lot of moving parts to coordinate, but it’s also given me access to a broad array of industries and sides of Austria. 

Up until graduation, academic life gave me a routine, a way to measure success, and facilitated most of my social life. Last fall, I needed to really take the initiative to build a daily life and support system. It’s a normal part of post grad life, but it can be intimidating, especially in a new city. But I’ve met tons of awesome people both inside and outside the Fulbright bubble, and I love Innsbruck. One of the reasons I applied for Fulbright was to have time to slow down and figure out what I want long-term after a very intense four years at Mac. So, even though the transition to a new country and lifestyle was a big one, I’m really enjoying the opportunity to get some work and life experience. 

My Fulbright has me working at a Literaturhaus, which is a nonprofit institution that doesn’t exist in the U.S. Basically, it’s a public space for literature where people can come listen to readings, participate in writing workshops, etc. It’s connected to a handful of different industries, e.g. publishing and nonprofit work, so it’s been illuminating to get a sense of how those fields operate! Outside of that, I’ve really embraced the “when in Rome” principle and tried out skiing, bouldering, and dialect — more or less successfully, too!

Do you have any plans or aspirations on your mind for the near future?

My most imminent plan is to run my first half marathon at Lake Garda. That’s happening the weekend right after this article gets published, so please wish me luck!

Beyond that… my original plan was to go to grad school after this year, but then I decided to put things off for another year. I would love to get an English PhD, but I’m still trying to figure out exactly what I want to study. Three majors is one thing, but I don’t think I can do three PhDs… 

I also need to chew on how okay (or not) I am with the possibility of coming out of grad school without an academic job lined up. For now, I’m really enjoying my time in Austria!

How has being out in “the real world” shaped your perspective on your time at Mac?

The “real world” reminds me that it’s such a treasure to have an environment which encourages you to focus on learning — even when it doesn’t feel that way because of exams and piling-up readings! I also really miss living with my closest friends, most of whom are now anywhere from five to nine hours behind me. 

What have you learned about yourself from this transition?

I’m more resistant than I thought! It sounds cliche, but I’ve learned to get out of my comfort zone and embrace the possibility of misadventure. Part of taking advantage of new opportunities is that you have to be ready to do things you wouldn’t expect of yourself — and things that might end in unexpected ways! I joined a rugby club on a whim. It’s been a blast, and it’s helped me break out of the American bubble.

Is there any faculty advice that has stuck with you since graduation?

So much! DCM’s advice to go with the flow and see where my interests lead me as I evolve. Professor Michael Prior’s suggestion to keep a journal for documenting this year’s adventures. Professor David Martyn’s feedback to be less nervous about making German grammar mistakes and to just go for it. And Dr. Penelope Geng’s advice that, when applying for something intimidatingly selective, you never know what the probability for YOU is. 

Were there any classes or extracurriculars that gave you extra preparation or handy skills for post grad?

Many of my skills from working in the English department and as a Chanter editor have rolled over! I help run events at my nonprofit, so Coffee House was good preparation, and my (working) knowledge of InDesign has come in handy more than once. My time OL-ing and precepting for Dr. Geng have also absolutely given me a good toolbox for teaching.

If you could go back in time and talk to a version of yourself from any of your years at Mac, which year would you visit and what would you say?

Definitely first year Zoe – she could have used an extra hug during that pandemic year. She deserves to know that it only goes up from there – and that it gets better than she might hope!

The Words would like to thank Zoe for filling us in on her adventures and wish her the best of luck on her future endeavors!