Undergraduate Spotlight: Matthew Benusa

Matthew Benusa is a senior (Class of '21) with a primary major in Film & Visual Media and an additional major in Literature & Culture.

Have you ever had an internship related to your major in English?

Yes! I was a Communications Intern for the Genetics Society of America. It was a really great working experience! Even though it was a remote experience, everyone was very friendly, and because I applied through PSIP (Pittsburgh Summer Internship Program), I felt adequately compensated for the work I was doing. It's important to know your worth!

Tell us something you're involved in here at CMU (clubs, tutoring, etc.).

Throughout my time at CMU, I worked for the student newspaper. It was an invaluable experience to have a weekly publishing schedule where I was involved with writing, editing, or photographing stories around campus. The Tartan is the only student run publication to run so consistently, and everyone will want to help you put out the best possible writing you can.

What advice do you have for students who want to major in English?

Take a variety of classes! I think most people might have an idea about what they want to do, like write for a living or be a forever-student, but your college experience doesn't have to strictly be preparation for the "real world." Try something fun. Maybe you'll enjoy one field of study over your current plan. It could lead to new opportunities that you didn't know existed.

What have you learned from other students here at CMU?

You should, unabashedly, be yourself. There are so many characters at CMU. Every time I talk about my time at college, I always mention how unique and interesting the array of people at CMU are. In my time here, I feel like I've discovered a strong sense of myself, and without my friendships and the day to day craziness, I would still be struggling to figure out who I am.