Catching Up With Alumni | Clary Cordero (BA ALDS/23; CTESL/23)
We caught up with Clary Cordero, who graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Honours in Applied Linguistics and Discourse Studies and a minor in Professional Writing in 2023. Clary also received her Certificate in the Teaching of English as a Second Language (CTESL).
Learn more about what Clary has been up to since graduating from Carleton University, what she has in store next, and find some words of advice for SLaLS students below.
What Clary Has Been Up To
Since completing her undergraduate degree, Clary has relocated across Canada and now lives in Victoria, British Columbia, where she works as a Public Affairs Officer in the Ministry of Education and Child Care, within the Government of British Columbia.
“In this role, I lead communications for a high-priority file that directly impacts families and communities throughout the province,” Clary shares.
“I’ve written a wide range of public-facing materials, including news releases, speeches, key messages, and multimedia content, all supporting public announcements and ministerial engagements. It’s a fast-paced environment where storytelling, clarity, and strategic messaging are of the utmost importance.”
In addition to her work in government, Clary has also been slowly building a personal blog.
“I’m hoping it becomes a safe space for storytelling, reflection and exploring the themes of identity, language and belonging that I’ve carried with me since my time at Carleton,” she shares. “It’s become a way to reconnect with the joy of writing on my terms, outside of structured or professional settings.”
What’s Next?
Clary is exploring graduate programs at the University of British Columbia, and is interested in pursuing a Master of Education in either Curriculum and Leadership or Educational Administration and Leadership.
“My goal is to expand my work into instructional design or applied education policy,” she says.
Clary’s Experience in SLaLS
“My time in SLaLS, especially with my focus on second language education, laid the foundation for how I approach communication today,” Clary shares.
“I often draw on what I learned about audience analysis and plain language principles, which were emphasized in my coursework. These tools have helped me communicate complex government policies in accessible and meaningful ways to diverse communities across B.C.”
“Beyond the technical skills, the program taught me how language shapes identity, access, and belonging—perspectives that continue to influence how I write and for whom I write.”
Words of Advice for SLaLS Students
“I entered the ALDS program thinking I would become a Speech-Language Pathologist,” Clary shares, “then shifted focus to teaching ESL, and now I’m building a career in public communications.”
“If I could offer one piece of advice to current and future SLaLS students, it’s this: you don’t have to follow a linear path. Be open to where your skills can take you. SLaLS gives you a strong, versatile foundation in communication, education and applied language studies which are relevant in many industries, even those you might not expect. Trust your instincts, explore widely and don’t be afraid to take a path less travelled. You might surprise yourself.”
Interested in learning more about our programs?
Visit our Programs and Course Offerings page to learn about the undergraduate and graduate programs that we offer here in the School of Linguistics and Language Studies.
Are you a SLaLS graduate?
We would love to know what you have been up to! Check out our Alumni page to meet our amazing graduates and to learn more about how to stay connected with the SLaLS community.