Meet a Staffer: Satoshi Sugiyama

After reporting for The Daily Orange as a beat writer last fall, Satoshi Sugiyama knew that working in-house was where he belonged. This semester, the sophomore newspaper and online journalism major and international relations minor is an assistant news copy editor.

Based on your experience, what is it like to be an international student at Syracuse University?

My paperwork says I’m a Japanese citizen, and I was born in Japan, I grew up in Japan. I left Japan when I was 12 years old and my family moved to Honolulu, Hawaii. I grew up for one-third of my life in the United States.

Being an international student at SU, I understand that it can be very challenging. But I think in a sense, adapting to the culture and the language is a huge part. But I think I have been very fortunate that since I went to middle school and high school in Hawaii – that’s where I learned English  – transitioning into SU was much easier compared to the experiences that other international students are going through.

What is it like to work at The Daily Orange?

Every day, I learn a lot. I learn so many things. It’s not just about the journalism or the language structure  –  that is also important. But being able to collaborate, work together with the most amazing people you could ever meet, in The D.O.? Every day is just extraordinary. And I’m not just saying this, this is my sincere feeling.

What do you want to do after finishing your undergraduate education?

That’s a hard question. It could go in so many different directions. According to immigration law, my prerequisite is that after I finish school, I have to go back to my home country. I will obey the law.

If I graduate and none of the newspapers are interested in hiring me, I will go back to Japan. So many firms might be reaching out, whether it’s the United States or Europe or wherever. I go wherever the future employers want me to. It’s a very open-ended question.

If you had no restrictions, where would you want to work?

If I had no restrictions, (the Associated Press) is my dream. I just raise AP as an example because I have been following their work. I have been following the journalists who work for the foreign media organizations, Tokyo Bureau, on Twitter.

I am eager, but I think at this point, probably going back to Tokyo and starting from foreign-based organizations. And start working in Tokyo Bureau and working my way up. That’s my dream.

Is there anything else you would like to say about journalism?

I always watched news and I think that’s because my parents did. It was my favorite thing to do: When I came (home) from elementary school back in Japan, I went to watch the Parliament debates on television. And I am so fascinated to write about politics. I was very captivated with this profession that reports what’s going on in the world, what’s going on in society.

I think, in a way, where I came from is a little bit different. I have a slightly different background from most of the people who work at The D.O. I am from a different country and I grew up in a pretty much different place, in Hawaii. But I am so grateful that they embraced me. They really appreciate where I come from, they support me all the way.