Jay VuPham
Jay VuPham, a first-year student, is excited about the future, and he sees Georgia State as the path forward. VuPham dreams of one day publishing his own books and inspiring readers by offering unique and unforgettable perspectives. He shares more of his plans and passion with us here.
Interview by Zohra Basmadjian
Tell us about yourself. Why GSU?
I am from Suwanee, Ga., and I chose Georgia State because I wanted to stay in state. There were also many opportunities for me here. Getting the Stamps Scholarship was the main thing. What also drew me to GSU is that it was different from the other schools I visited, in terms of the student body, which is truly diverse.
What do you hope to achieve in the future?
I’m going to write a novel and approach a publishing house. In addition to that, I hope to work as an editor. I’m planning on picking up a minor in editing and publishing, and I dream of working for Penguin Random House or Macmillan Publishers.
How have your courses at GSU helped you grow as a writer?
My American literature class helped me examine how authors discuss societal issues through their works and writings. The way we talked about the reflections of the social and private anxieties of the authors was fascinating and something that I want to employ in my writing.
What impact do you hope to leave on the world?
I believe that the world needs more empathy, and I think the first way you cultivate empathy is through cultivating knowledge. I want people to ask themselves, “What are the ways these experiences would impact me?”
After reading a book called “The Red Pyramid” I gained a deeper understanding of what it means to be viewed with suspicion and how others navigate the world under such perceptions — something I hadn’t considered before. The idea of being seen as a potential threat was entirely new to me, and it helped me develop greater empathy. I want people to dip their toes in the water of other people’s life experiences.
What do you hope to accomplish in the future?
I want to learn about the different kinds of literature and how it’s expressed and composed. In the future, I plan on taking an LGBTQ+ literature class and look forward to exploring how those perspectives impact writers and the types of stories they craft.
What has your college experience taught you so far?
If someone tells you something, write it down, especially if it relates to planning. One of my favorite things about college is that the professors have their syllabuses ready in advance. It’s beneficial for me to take the time to plan the first week of classes.
I’ve also learned how to be flexible with my time. One of the first things that surprised me going into college was how much more freedom I have with my time. It’s given me the ability to do better in my classes than I did in high school.
Making friends also goes a long way. It might seem daunting, but it’s a lot easier than people realize. Just saying, “Hi,” talking to people and learning about their experiences has led me to some useful and beautiful friendships with people that I never expected I’d be friends with.
