Marisa Montione

What’ve you enjoyed most about your area of study? Was there a particular discovery, new skill or way of thinking, or insight that you found especially valuable? Please share an example from your favorite class or experience.

What I have enjoyed most about studying Literature here at MIT is how broad the department is. Being able to take classes on subjects such as poetry, feature films, short films, and novels has been endlessly rewarding to me. The opportunity to be exposed to forms of literature I may not have explored on my own not only has encouraged me to take classes in subjects I am unfamiliar with, but has brought me a deep sense of enjoyment and interest in these subjects that has lasted even after the semester has finished. In my senior fall, I had the chance to take a Sampling class about short films – a form of media that I had never really paid much attention to before – and I found myself captivated by how much information can be conveyed in such a small amount of time. We even ended the semester by filming, editing, and presenting a film of our own, which was such an exciting and rewarding challenge!

How does the knowledge from this field, or your interest in it, combine with your other major or minor studies at MIT?

As a Brain and Cognitive Sciences major, I have a deep love for language and communication in humans, and our ability to share ideas through stories is what drew me to major in Literature as well. Works of literature and film convey so much about one’s identity, experiences, and ideas, and the neuroscience behind an audience’s ability to access an author’s or director’s intentions is truly incredible. 

An MIT education includes study in the scientific, technical, social science, arts, and humanities fields. How do you think that wide range of knowledge and perspectives will be valuable to you – for your career success and for your enjoyment of life?

As a major, Literature heavily emphasizes critical thinking and close reading abilities, dissecting an author or director’s intentions, keeping our brains sharp through forms of enjoyment. Literature as a subject teaches you to search for answers, and think through what information is given to you – a skill that is applicable to any future path or daily life. As for enjoyment of life, the understanding of art that I have received from a major in Literature heightens my appreciation and enjoyment in consuming art.

What are your plans for the future?

While I do not have anything set in stone yet, I plan to explore my opportunities in the biotech industry through roles combining my writing abilities and STEM knowledge!