Recent UCA graduate and current graduate student Olivia Fleming is using her Spanish degree to jump into the job force and further her interests in art and history.
“I honestly enjoy using the language and can find many more job opportunities working in my field than I would in art history,” Fleming, who uses they/she pronouns, said.
In December 2021, Fleming graduated with a double degree in Spanish and Art History.
Fleming is from Little Rock, Arkansas and graduated from Parkview High School with a musical background. They decided to come to UCA after receiving an offer from the Schedler Honors College.
Fleming was the president of Students for the Arts, an RSO that advocates for the promotion of the arts in Arkansas, in 2020, but she ultimately decided to follow her passion for the Spanish language in graduate school.
Fleming now works as a Spanish graduate teaching assistant at UCA teaching Elementary Spanish I.
“I’ve been given free rein of 25 college students,” Fleming said. “It is kind of crazy when I realize how far I’ve come because I started learning Spanish with a graduate assistant like myself in 2018.”
Over the summer, Fleming studied Spanish in Madrid, Spain. They took classes at La Universidad Complutense de Madrid. Fleming was able to combine both their interest in the language and art history during the trip.
While in school, Fleming learned more about Spanish literature, theater, poetry and music.
“I really enjoyed the culture and getting to speak Spanish everywhere I went,” Fleming said.
On weekends in Madrid, Fleming traveled and visited Granada, Toledo and Segovia. These three cities are historically important to Spain.
“Granada was my favorite because of the Alhambra, which is a Muslim fortress converted into a Catholic palace for the kings of Spain in the 16th century and all its beautiful art and architecture,” Fleming said.
Three goals Fleming has this semester are to improve as an instructor, find a good balance between work and social life, and continue advocating for themself and their needs.
“I struggle a lot with burnout and mental and social exhaustion, so it is always a priority of mine to know my own limits and create boundaries,” Fleming said.
Before finishing graduate school, Fleming hopes to read “Don Quixote,” “Cien años de Soledad” and “La Celestina,” which are works of literature that are a part of the Spanish language literature canon.
After graduate school, Fleming would like a job as a Spanish instructor, translator or interpreter in a unique setting.
“Honestly, my dream job would be working at a wildlife sanctuary somewhere,” Fleming said. “Practically speaking, I would love a job that combines the Spanish language with art or art history.”
Fleming says that one of her favorite UCA memories is attending coffee and painting nights organized by the Student Activities Board.
“I really enjoyed those as an undergraduate student. It was always a great treat,” Fleming said. When Fleming is not teaching, they enjoy hanging out with their three dogs and six rats. Fleming also enjoys painting with oils and playing video games.
