Jaden Stovall
How has your experience been as a student worker for the East Asian Studies Center (EASC)?
I’ve been at EASC for four years now, since Spring 2021. It’s been a pleasant experience. I’ve picked up valuable skills, attended events, and met professors and professionals I otherwise would not have. Even beyond working, I’ve had ample opportunities and learning experiences.
Are there any experiences/memories you would like to highlight?
At EASC, within the first few weeks of working, I received a welcome gift bag from the office. It was simple enough, but I started working during our year online, and having my boss and supervisors be willing to send something states away and have a casual conversational meeting with each other just so we can all get to know one another a bit better stuck out to me. It was simple, but it wasn’t necessary, and that kindness set a precedent for what my experience at the office would be like.
In my masters program, the greatest memory is the creation of our anthology book. My cohort and I worked together as editors and designers, and I designed the cover art for the book. It was my first hands-on experience with digital book production.
What has been your biggest takeaway from your time with EASC?
Honestly, the importance of workplace culture. Beyond my time here as a student worker, I think the office was just such an inviting space. I think we tend to associate work as a place to simply complete a workday, but with the right people, it can be more than that. There’s value in good workplace culture and camaraderie and it sets an expectation for me going forward.
Can you tell us about your academic interests?
I am a USC Progressive Degree student. For undergrad, I double majored in English and Narrative Studies, and my masters program is Literary Editing and Publishing (LEAP). My pursuits largely fall into two camps: first, a lot of my academic work focused on Black American history and cross-cultural exchange between communities of color, and second, I pursued media studies on race and gender in fantasy and science fiction media.
Are there any other jobs/fellowships or accomplishments you would like to share?
Outside of my time here at EASC, I’ve been a graduate fellow with USC’s Prison Education Project for the past year. It has been a humbling experience. The work is directly tied to my future plans of working in publishing and editing, but it was also a way to reconnect me with community-minded work and experiences. Most recently, I received the JIMMY Award from the English Department after being nominated by my professors for being an “outstanding senior.”
Do you have any advice for incoming students?
Students should really make an effort to bond with a professor or staff member (or both). There are so many people out there willing to help and offer guidance, and fostering a bond with a professor exemplifies that. My achievements and accomplishments would not be possible without the help of the faculty and staff
What are your plans after graduation?
After graduation, I plan to go into the publishing industry. I’m not particularly picky on what position I land. My goal is to work with stories and display them in media. Any way I can manage to do that will be a stepping stone towards something greater.
