Degree/Year: Professional Writing, 2016
Employer name: JET Program
Position/Title: Assistant Language Teacher
City/State: Kumamoto, Japan

I work as an English teacher in four elementary schools and one junior high school in rural Japan. Besides planning and teaching lessons, I am an ambassador of my home country and culture.

The Professional Writing major was open enough that it let me diversify my studies and ultimately carve out my own niche. By the end of my junior year, I decided I wanted to pursue a career in international content strategy. I can thank the breadth of experiences I had at MSU for leading me to – and preparing me for – that path. Every day on the JET Program is a chance to deepen my cross-cultural understanding, and in the future, I hope to bring that knowledge to a job where I can help create amazing user experiences that transcend language and borders.The Professional Writing major was open enough that it let me diversify my studies and ultimately carve out my own niche.

For the JET Program specifically, your Japanese language ability is far less important than you might think. To increase your chances of getting accepted, find opportunities to teach and work with children. The Center for Language Teaching Advancement (CeLTA) at MSU offers awesome volunteer opportunities that let you do both.