Shannon Davis (’13)
PWSW Alum pursues Marine Conservation
I graduated in 2013 as part of the last class of DW BFAs. Currently I work for an NGO and write animal welfare standards for farmed fish - I went back to school in 2016 and got my master’s degree in Marine Conservation and Policy from Stony Brook.
Though it’s a different type of writing, I use many of the skills honed through the DW program including:
- how to rewrite
- how to take/give feedback and criticism
- succinct and clear communication of complex ideas/concepts
- writing for a varied audience
I don’t consider myself currently pursuing a career in the dramatic writing field, and I also don’t at all feel that it’s something I regret. As I said, I loved my time at Purchase and the education that I received still serves me to this day. I just chose a different way to apply many of the skills I learned, and getting to bridge the gap a bit between science and communication has been really wonderful.
Advice for current students would be to get as much out of the program as possible! There are so many resources and a wealth of experiences to draw from, especially including the professors and your fellow classmates. Some of my fondest memories are of the many showcases of short pieces that our class would put up on our own, not part of any assignment. It’s so important to just get your work in front of people. Included in the “get everything out of it you can” directive is to take advantage of the fact that you’re in a safe and supportive writing community, something that is certainly not guaranteed once you graduate. Give and receive as much feedback as you possibly can while you’re a part of that community.
My last comment would be that I made some friends for life within the PWSW program, and I get so excited to hear when people are succeeding and continuing to make things. I sincerely hope that others have equally or even more positive experiences, and that the importance of providing this type of arts education within the SUNY system isn’t underestimated. Purchase allowed me to pursue my passion and graduate with barely any debt, so that when the time came and I wanted to change career tacks I was able to afford graduate school. I am extremely privileged and lucky to have been able to have that experience.