JWAM alumna Emi Sasagawa recently made the 2024 CBC Nonfiction Prize shortlist for Dad’s the Word. In 2023, her debut novel Atomweight was dubbed by The Tyee as “a propulsive exploration of growth and becoming.”
Emi is currently the Director of Communications for the Faculty of Arts. We caught up with her to learn from her successes and experiences over the past decade since graduating from the Master of Journalism program in 2015.
Emi Sasagawa, JWAM alumna, 2015
How did you get into journalism?
After graduating from my undergrad program, I returned to Brazil in hopes of reconnecting with my roots. I did a few odd jobs, including teaching SAT math to athletes with scholarships to North America, being a translator and writing news stories for small, independent media organizations. Eventually, I landed a job as a reporter for a solutions-focused media outlet and began working in the field in earnest.
What did you pursue your Bachelor’s in?
I received a Bachelor of Science in International Relations from the London School of Economics. When I started the program, I had hopes of eventually working in the United Nations, but over the course of my degree became disillusioned with international politics, and decided to pivot.
What prompted you to choose UBC for your grad studies?
At the time of my application and acceptance, I was looking for a program that combined practice and theory-based learning. I’d worked as a reporter for two years at that point but had no formal training. Additionally, I wasn’t sure whether I might want to pursue further education in the future, so I was looking for a master’s program that granted me latitude to continue to pursue both paths. The research being conducted at UBC at the time and the fellowship opportunities available to UBC students were other factors that swayed my decision.
Do you remember any specific course or story that you covered during your time at UBC?
I had the privilege of taking part in the International Reporting Program as well as the News21 Fellowship. Both these opportunities broadened my understanding of investigative journalism. That said, the courses that had the most impact on my thinking and approach to stories were theory-based, including Journalism Ethics. They encouraged me to think about the why and how of storytelling.
“The courses that had the most impact on my thinking and approach to stories were theory-based, including Journalism Ethics.”
How would you describe your two years of grad school experience?
It was a period of finding my voice, which is a weird thing to say in the context of a journalism degree, where the assumption is that you must remain impartial and objective. I struggled a fair bit with that antiquated idea, especially as someone who identifies as belonging to multiple historically, systemically and persistently marginalized communities. The truth is, we are all saying something, and I had to figure out what it was I wanted to say with my stories.
Emi Sasagawa, JWAM alumna, 2015
What are your biggest takeaways from JWAM?
When I started the program, I had grandiose aspirations about tackling social justice issues through public-service journalism. Hubristically, I was focused on the result I wanted and not so much on the process. During my degree, I learned an unanswered or unanswerable question holds value. Issues and stories are more complex than what a piece of news can hold.
“During my degree I learned an unanswered or unanswerable question holds value. Issues and stories are more complex than what a piece of news can hold.”
Can you tell us something about your internship experience?
I came to UBC with every intention of interning at The Tyee, an independent, online news magazine from B.C. I knew about the publication and admired the work they did. During my 16-week internship there, I got to work alongside incredible reporters and interns and dedicate time to stories that mattered to me about housing affordability and homelessness. The relationships I formed have endured for nearly a decade, and I am very thankful for that.
What did you do after graduating?
Shortly after graduating, I went to the US for my News21 fellowship. Once I returned to Canada, I explored employment options in journalism, but the pay was prohibitively low and uncertain for someone wanting to live in Vancouver. I got a temporary job at UBC in videography and digital communications. I can’t say I intended to stay, but nine years later, I am still here. The other thing I’ve been doing since my journalism degree is dabbling in creative writing. Recently, I published my debut novel Atomweight, and got a taste of being on the receiving end of a journalist’s questions!
“During my 16-week internship (at The Tyee), I got to work alongside incredible reporters and interns and dedicate time to stories that mattered to me about housing affordability and homelessness. The relationships I formed have endured for nearly a decade, and I am very thankful for that.”
What does your current job look like?
I am presently the Director of Communications for the Faculty of Arts, overseeing a large group of managers, strategists, specialists, and designers. Two key pieces of my role involve providing strategic direction to the Dean’s Office on communications and supporting issues and crisis management at the faculty-level. That said, the most rewarding aspect of my job is coaching people to grow in their roles and beyond.
Is there anything you’d like to share with our current students at JWAM?
Ask more questions about your questions. Why do you feel compelled to know something or write about it? Every story is biased—are you aware of how and why?
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