Caitlin Murphy-Hurrell
Student spotlight details
Cait's passion for English literature was rekindled after taking several online short courses with the Department. After a transformative experience studying for the Certificate in English Literature and MSt in Literature and Arts, she is now getting ready to begin her PhD in Dublin.
'My days are spent wearing the hat of a compliance officer who, at eighteen, traded in their passion for English Literature to secure a ‘practical education’ in International Public Relations and then in Law. This has led me to my career journey working in Compliance at Google for the past ten years. My fascination with literature and history, however, never subsided, and with the flexibility that the pandemic allowed, I endeavoured to explore my literary obsession and enrol in online courses to feed my zealous hunger for literary knowledge.
'I found some of the short courses on the Oxford Lifelong Learning website. I took two courses: Contemporary British Fiction and Critical Reading. Once I started, I could not stop, and from one course to another resulted in my first foray into exploring a career as a literary scholar, namely in the form of the Certificate in English Literature at Oxford. It was here that my life was forever changed. Now, I know that sounds cliché, and perhaps it is, but it is also entirely true. The certificate introduced me to the study of English Literature, that I always craved. It was the missing piece of my puzzle that I did not know was missing.
'The certificate was a pivotal moment for me and I will forever credit that programme with being the best decision of my life. A particular highlight however was the Shakespeare Summer School Week where the online cohort met in person. During one of the breaks in between the lectures, I had a discussion with Lynn Robson that prompted a consideration of the MLA.
'The Master's in Literature and Arts was the perfect choice for me. Not only did it mean I could stay within the bounds of Oxford Lifelong Learning, but I could do an interdisciplinary master's part-time and distanced with the University of Oxford! Being immersed in studying at Oxford during the MLA are some of the best memories that I will carry with me. Not only was I engaging in subject matters that I had never encountered before, like Art History, but my curiosity was supported and encouraged. I never thought my research would focus on what it did and that’s as a result of the broad but detailed studies we were able to explore in the MLA.
'Coming back into a university setting after being out of it for some time can take some time to adjust (the stress of essay writing comes back with full vengeance)! However, the tutors and lecturers are so willing to help you adjust and provide guidance that soon you’re right back into it and writing essays becomes just that little bit easier.
‘With the encouragement of the lecturers and tutors, I was accepted to a PhD programme closer to home at Trinity College, Dublin. I have left my corporate job and will be focusing on interdisciplinary research related to Edmund Spenser and The Faerie Queene.
'If you are considering doing any of the courses through Oxford Lifelong Learning – do not hesitate, just do it, and I can promise you that you won’t regret it. No matter the stage of life you find yourself in, it is never too late to pursue your passion and education.'
