The liberal arts give us the flexibility to make connections across all industries. Showcasing this multidisciplinary approach, Corinne Neustadter (’22) has bridged academic expertise from her double major in history and political science with her passion for media communication in her current profession as a documentarian.
Read more about her career historical and political media and communications below.
What do you do for work?
I am a writer and producer for Wendover Productions, a YouTube and documentary company based on the Western Slope.
What do you do outside of work (hobbies, volunteering, community involvement, etc.)?
I’m an avid hiker, skier, and runner. I’m set to run the Slacker Half this weekend in Georgetown, CO and have recently gotten involved with a local running club. I’m also a big reader and moviegoer. I recently attended the Aspen Shortsfest, which ignited a passion for filmmaking I intend to pursue further.
How does your liberal arts degree play a role?
mMy liberal arts degree plays a large role in how I see the world and understand it. Whether I’m writing a script, or watching a movie, I’m constantly analyzing the connections and patterns inherent to our world. My degree empowered me to make these connections and express them thoughtfully, even if the subject isn’t related to my major. Our videos commonly focus on logistics, and my study of large, complex, often wicked systems at CSU has translated well into understanding, then describing, complex logistical systems in an engaging script.
What are you most proud of (personally and/or professionally)?
Personally, I’m most proud of taking a leap of faith and moving to the Roaring Fork Valley after graduation. I love it here, and I never would’ve considered it had it not been for my history professor, Dr. Mike Childers’, recommendation to Wendover. Living here – skiing, exploring the outdoors, having a bigger city within reach – has been an unforgettable experience that’s gotten me out of my comfort zone in a good way.
Professionally, I’m most proud of our recent series, “The Logistics of X,” which covers the logistics of systems that are often invisible. So far, we’ve covered ski resorts and search and rescue (two topics near and dear to me) that have allowed me to combine my personal interests with the technical writing skills my degree gave me.
What story about your career or life would you like to share with other alumni and/or current CSU students?
When I first started at CSU, I was dead set on a career in politics. History and political science were two of my high school passions, lending themselves to future campaign work. Then, I joined the opinion desk at the Collegian – a job that reignited a long-dormant passion for writing.
Being empowered to write about topics I was interested in was a game-changer. It made me reconsider my career goals in a new light, especially with the pandemic shutting down campus during my freshman year. Writing just felt right.
As I got deeper into my studies, I realized I didn’t need to choose between my majors or my career; I could combine them into a profession that I loved. Taking jobs with the CSU Libraries, then an engineering/architecture firm made me realize just how valuable a liberal arts degree could be. From communication to analysis to critical thinking, I didn’t need to worry about the question, “what are you going to do with that degree?” after graduation. Following what felt right led me to classes and connections that I never would’ve made without the CLA, all leading me here to a job I love.
In the Department of History in the College of Liberal Arts, we ask historical questions and follow the evidence to understand what happened in the past and why it happened. Through historical research, we move away from judgment and assumptions about other cultures and instead learn from every historical moment, including our own.
Within the Department of Political Science in the College of Liberal Arts, we cover a breadth of the political science discipline, teaching students to think critically and solve complex problems, while preparing students for a wide variety of careers both nationally and internationally.
Check out some of Neustadter’s work below:
