Disclaimer: The views expressed by our interviewees are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of GradSimple. We only edit these responses for clarity. All opinions remain those of the interviewee.
- Name: Jolie J
- Year Of Graduation: 2020
- College/University: University of Oregon
- Major: Human Physiology
What do you do for a living?
I manage my own freelance English teaching business, specializing in instructing medical doctors and students from Japan. My focus is primarily on adult learners, utilizing remote teaching methods. I built my clientele while living in Osaka from 2020-2023. I also have four years of experience in the hospitality industry as a receptionist in Kyoto, bartender, tour guide for walking and food tours, and server at a seafood boil restaurant and pizza restaurant. I consider myself a versatile gig worker at present.
Can you tell me about your job search experience after graduation?
I graduated magna cum laude from the University of Oregon with a Bachelor of Science in Human Physiology, so naturally, I was planning to move on to medical school. However, four months into studying for the MCAT, I experienced a “moment of introspection” and began to question if the medical path was truly right for me. The pandemic played a significant role in my decision-making too.
I found myself at a crossroads, torn between pursuing a career in medicine and following my true passion: travel. I decided to defer my medical school plans and instead embrace an opportunity that felt deeply special to me: living in Japan, my birthplace, during my early twenties. I’m Japanese on my father’s side, but I haven’t spoken to him since I was 4 years old. I never really had a relationship with him, and my uncle and grandma still reside in Japan as well, but I wasn’t reliant on them when I moved as I’m not connected with that side of the family. I come from a low-income background, raised by my mom who was a substitute teacher, so I had to work hard for these opportunities.
My work as a freelance English teacher may not directly align with my degree, but it allows me to leverage my pre-medical knowledge since my students are primarily in the medical field. Although my career path has diverged from my initial plans, I’ve been able to grow immensely as a person. Being half Japanese and holding Japanese citizenship, I found it relatively easy to secure work in Japan, especially given the high demand for native English speakers. My journey led me to an English international school, where I taught students ranging from two to four years old up to high school students.
Why did you choose your major? Would you still pick this major now, if you could go back in time?
My interest in medicine was sparked at around age 15 when I volunteered with the American Red Cross in Eugene, Oregon. During this time, I provided first aid and first response care at various community events such as the U.S. Olympic Trials and the University of Oregon football games. I learned how to take patient assessments and vitals such as blood pressure and heart rate, and was also certified in child and adult first aid and AED.
There was a moment when I was volunteering when we were taking blood vital signs for people, where I remember a guy going into cardiac arrest. The situation was so intense, like, I’m just a kid. The people around me were looking at me like “What is she doing here?” I knew what I had to do to help, but the pressure of people doubting me was a lot. It made me want to study and improve and become better, and help people.
I chose my particular program because it offered a lot of foundational science sources and interesting upper-level classes such as Physiology of Aging, Molecular Genetics, Biochemistry, and Clinical Anatomy – which were all essential for medical school. Through my major, I was also able to experience the dissection of human cadavers, which allowed me to explore the human body and its mechanisms in meticulous detail.
Thinking back, I would have still picked the same major. It not only broadened my knowledge but also enabled me to engage in meaningful research, such as studying the effects of chronic health therapy on cardiovascular and metabolic function. Fun, right?
If I asked you 3 years ago, what would you think you’d be doing right now (in life/career)?
If you had asked me three years ago, at the age of 23, what I envisioned myself doing now, I would have said that I’d be backpacking, traveling, and gaining diverse experiences. I also would have anticipated being enrolled in or having completed a Master’s or Bachelor of Science in Nursing program.
What’s your biggest struggle right now?
My biggest struggle now is grappling with indecisiveness. Although my motivation is high and I am a very self-disciplined individual, I have many ambitions and goals. This makes it challenging to decide what to pursue first. This indecisiveness often leads to feelings of insecurity and instability.
“While there are many mountains to climb, it is best to pick one, work diligently, and summit it.”
This is advice I’ve been given repeatedly. However, my desire for new experiences often disrupts my routine. I am constantly searching for the next adventure, but I recognize that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side. I’m trying to remain present rather than dwelling on the past or fixating on the future, both of which are beyond my control.
If money was not a factor, what would you be working on or spending more time on?
If money were not a problem, I would dedicate my time to a variety of projects aimed at addressing global disparities. I’d love to volunteer with humanitarian organizations focused on education, poverty alleviation, sanitation, and mental health support. Having worked at a cafe supporting refugees in Malaysia, I gained insight into the challenges faced by displaced individuals, particularly those from Myanmar, Afghanistan, Yemen, and Sudan. One of the people I got really close to was an Afghan girl. She was 28. She was telling me how she couldn’t attend school because she was prohibited as a refugee, even though she really wanted to. This experience fueled my desire to support refugees worldwide.
I’d also love to spend time in Nepal, trekking to Everest Base Camp and collaborating with an NGO dedicated to planting trees on rooftops to combat air pollution from New Delhi. I hope to travel to the Serengeti and contribute to wildlife conservation efforts, perhaps by working at an animal sanctuary to help protect and preserve endangered species. I also hope to obtain my pilot license!
If we traveled 3 years into the future of your life, what would you hope we’d see?
Three years into my future, at the age of 29, I hope to see a life rich with achievement and fulfillment as I approach the close of my twenties. I hope to have achieved my goal of traveling to 100 countries by 30 years old, in the footsteps of one of my biggest inspirations, Anthony Bourdain.
For people who want to dive into traveling, one thing I really advocate for is Workaway. It’s a platform where you can contact different hosts from across the world and you work for accommodation. It’s a great way to connect with the global community. I’ve recently visited Japan, Croatia, Malaysia, Germany, and Chile through them.
Most importantly, at the end of the day, I hope that I will look back at the things I’ve done and feel proud of the person I am.
What advice and/or learnings would you give to current students or recent grads?
Invest in a deep understanding of yourself. Prioritize your own emotional and physical needs before extending help to others. Remember, it’s not an act of selfishness but a necessary step. Just as you are instructed to secure your own oxygen mask before assisting others, self-care must take precedence. By nurturing yourself first, you amplify your ability to support and enrich the lives of others.
Secondly, travel as much as you can and embrace it fully—especially alone. Do not fear the unknown; instead, let the thought of missing out on new experiences be your true concern. Fear is a signal to DO something! Every journey, whether joyous or challenging, will provide you with a lesson.
When faced with rejection, handle it with grace, and let it be a point of improvement rather than a mark of failure. And, above all, embrace the belief that “when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it” (Paulo Coelho). Harness the power of the universe to work in your favor. Lead with positive intention, and you may be pleasantly surprised by the support and assistance that others are eager to offer.
