Chat with WRAC
“I think you just have to do it. You really just have to throw yourself into it—and see what happens, and eventually you adjust and it kind of fits into a groove, and you grow used to the program and you kind of find your own way.” —John Castro
For the first episode of Chat with WRAC, Justice Curry, a junior in the P2W major, interviews John Castro, a senior in the P2W program, about his experiences in and out of the Writing, Rhetoric, and American Cultures department. As John reflects on his time at MSU, he offers advice for his peers and incoming students.
“We’re still going through the same stuff. We’re still struggling through classes. We’re still trying to find our place in the world. And I think it’s important that everyone always offers kindness and resources and whatever they can and just make it a welcoming community, because that’s what WRAC is all about is welcoming people in and helping them achieve their goals.” —Jessi Wright
For the second episode of Chat with WRAC, Justice Curry, a junior in the P2W major, interviews Jessi Wright, a Digital Rhetoric and Professional Writing Master’s student, about her graduate school experiences in and out of the Writing, Rhetoric, and American Cultures department.
“A lot of times, I feel like when I’m writing and if it is about a black person, I think if there’s no form of suffering involved, then I will only be able to grab the attention of the black community. I think white people only become interested if it’s a traumatic, tragic story, but I don’t want to have to only grab their attention with sad stories. I don’t want to gain attention or gain interest by just making someone feel sorry for my culture.” —Naomi Johnson
For the third episode of Chat with WRAC, Justice Curry, a junior in the P2W major, interviews Naomi Johnson, a senior in the P2W major, about her experiences as a reader and writer and as a black student in a writing program.
“Making myself a resource, I think, and being a team player is like one of the most important things I learned in P2W. Being a part of a team, because that’s where like real leadership comes in. It’s not saying, I have this title where it’s…I’m influencing other students into doing this, but I’m actually on the ground doing the work.” —Charlotte Bachelor
“In the fourth episode of Chat with WRAC, Justice Curry, a junior in the P2W major at Michigan State University, interviews Charlotte Bachelor, a junior in the P2W program, about their experiences within the Professional and Public Writing major. They also discuss how Bachelor has been able to apply what they’ve learned within the major in the job market.
“Since the pandemic started, it’s been really difficult for me to find a consistent support system outside of therapy…Luckily right before the pandemic started, I got a cat…He’s honestly, probably the best thing that’s happened to me in 2020. But having another life to be responsible for can be a bit overwhelming.” —Justice Curry
In the fifth episode of Chat with WRAC, Justice Curry, our podcast host and a junior in the P2W major at Michigan State University, shares their experiences with processing mental health through the pandemic.
“I really encourage students to take it [WRA 480] for two semesters because then the second semester you already know what’s going on [with The Current magazine]. You’re going to take on a more managerial role. I think that just makes for such great experience, not just to put on your resume, to narrate in a job interview, to have in your portfolio.” —Kate Birdsall
In the fourth episode of Chat with WRAC, Justice Curry, a senior in the P2W major at Michigan State University, interviews Kate Birdsall, author of the Liz Boyle Mystery series, editor, and faculty member in MSU’s WRAC Department. Kate answers questions in regards to becoming an editor, gaining experience within the WRAC Department, and her experiences in the industry.
“Depending on the type of work, you might go through some additional production, whether that means you’re preparing it for print or … broadcast… depending on the type of work you do. But… there’s a process where … you propose. If they accept or deny, there might be some negotiation there. You do the work, and then you prepare the work to be out into the world. And it’s a long process sometimes. Sometimes it’s a week.” —Terrell Shaw
In the sixth episode of Chat with WRAC, Justice Curry, a senior in the P2W major at Michigan State University, interviews Terrell Shaw, a freelance designer who discusses being your own boss, finding clients from non-profit to corporate clients, and self care.
“If anything speaks to you, hop in on it, as soon as humanly possible. Even though we all hate sending emails more than most things in this world, I think it helps. Even once you graduate and move on, don’t close your networks with the people that you know from MSU, because after I had graduated, I heard about both these things, and was able to do it because I had Slack channels open from my time at MSU with both these people.” —Shelby Smith
In the seventh episode of Chat with WRAC, Justice Curry, a senior in the P2W major at Michigan State University, interviews Shelby Smith, an MSU P2W major, and answers questions about being entering the job market, networking, and being unsure about entering the job market after graduating.