Biography
Marisa Ferrara’s reasons for coming to Eastern Michigan University as an undergraduate were pretty straightforward. EMU presented a scholarship offer she couldn’t refuse. And, as Ferrara states, “I wanted to get out of Ohio.” Later she was offered the opportunity to work with the internationally known The LINGUIST List which enabled her to pursue her graduate studies at EMU as well.
Practicality ranks highly for the two-time EMU alumna. For future students she advises, “Make sure you have the practical aspects you need to get a job.” Ferrara nourished her sensible outlook through her work at The LINGUIST List. The position gave her the invaluable opportunity to explore the wide range of linguistics career opportunities and network with other linguists while receiving practical training in computational linguistics.&
Ferrara started her undergraduate studies as an Anthropology major; however, to increase her marketability after graduation, she combined her interest in anthropology with her love of linguistics and added in a little bit of TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) for a degree in Individualized Studies. Her goal was to combine these areas to help save endangered languages. However, while working at The LINGUIST List as a graduate student, her interests expanded to include computational linguistics. In addition to her MA in Linguistics, Ferrara also earned a Certification in Language Technology in order to incorporate her burgeoning interest in computer programming as well. Her revised goal became “trying to make computers work with language technology.”
Currently pursing a PhD in Computational Linguistics at Michigan State University, Ferrara plans to continue in the academic world to further her opportunities for research in her field. Ever practical, she also recognizes that the professional and technological skills developed through her studies and work beginning at EMU have prepared her for a successful entry into the corporate world if she ever chooses to leave academia.
-- Venus Gregory and Kenne Likkel
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