Elizabeth Anderson knows how to work with words.
She recently graduated with a degree in English—creative writing minor, professional writing emphasis—and now works full-time as a technical writer at a radar technology company. Every day, she translates complex concepts into clear, approachable language. She’s definitely using her degree.
But her path to that success wasn’t easy.
Overcoming Challenges Through Flexibility
Elizabeth’s journey to graduation wound through significant medical challenges and ADHD, which made a traditional course schedule difficult to maintain. That’s when BYU Independent Study became a vital part of her education.
“It’s been good for flexibility,” she said. “When my health was bad, I could still do classes—just in a different way.”
BYU Independent Study gave her the space and structure to keep learning at her own pace, allowing her to continue progressing toward her degree when in-person classes weren’t possible.
Learning Beyond the Page
Elizabeth didn’t just complete her classes—she made the most of them. Two of her final courses, Young Adult Literature and American Literary History, both taken through BYU Independent Study, deepened her love for storytelling and analysis.
“At the time, I was working with teenagers,” she said. “That class helped me think about why certain books matter, and how stories shape the way young people see themselves.”
Her American Literary History course gave her the chance to explore a lesser-known work by Nathaniel Hawthorne.
“I got to dive deep. I read what other people had written about it and then developed my own interpretation,” she explained. “It was fascinating.”
Turning Passion into Profession
Today, Elizabeth works at IMSAR, a company developing high-fidelity radar systems. Her role bridges the gap between highly technical engineering language and clear, effective communication.
“I interface between the engineers and their technical stuff,” she said with a smile. “I make it palatable for a broader audience.”
Her ability to translate complex information into meaningful writing has become her superpower—a skill sharpened through years of thoughtful study, analysis, and perseverance.
Looking Ahead
Elizabeth’s long-term plans remain open—perhaps law school, maybe a master’s in social work. What she knows for sure is that she’s found what she loves: learning, writing, and connecting ideas in ways that make sense to people.
We’re proud that BYU Independent Study played a part in her journey and continues to help students like Elizabeth turn challenges into opportunities, one course at a time.