Voices of Jelper Club Members — Tazia Mohammad, Columbia University’27

This time, we spoke with Tazia Mohammad, a rising junior majoring in Economics and Political Science, whose multicultural background and passion for activism have shaped her career ambitions. With roots in Afghanistan, the Philippines, and the Black American community, Tazia is driven to use economic modeling and politics to make a real impact as a future policy maker. In this interview, she shares how her upbringing inspired her, how she discovered Jelper Club, and her advice for others looking to explore opportunities in Japan.

Tazia Mohammad

――To begin, could you please introduce yourself?

Tazia: My name is Tazia Mohammad, and I’m a rising junior studying Economics and Political Science. My long-term goal is to become a policy maker who can use economic modeling to explore different market pathways—things like how inflation works—and turn that insight into real-world improvements in people’s lives.

My father is a refugee from Afghanistan, and my mother is of mixed Black and Filipino heritage. Activism has been part of my life for as long as I can remember—one of my earliest memories is protesting alongside my dad. I genuinely enjoy studying both politics and economics, and I’ve been fortunate to have parents who are both smart and inspirational.

――Why did you choose your university?

Tazia: I knew I wanted to major in both Economics and Political Science, and my university has very strong programs in those areas. Being located in New York, which is a center for international relations, was also a big draw for me.

――What inspired you to pursue your current degree?

Tazia: I interned at the United Nations this summer, and one of the key takeaways was that what happens diplomatically often isn’t as impactful as what happens on the ground. In high school, I had an amazing economics teacher who taught me that political events are often extensions of economic forces. That’s what made me want to pursue both subjects seriously.

――How has your background influenced your future career plans?

Tazia: My background is a huge influence. My dad’s refugee experience, my mom’s cultural heritage, and my upbringing in a socially active household all made me see politics as a way to improve people’s lives. It also made me unafraid to engage with complex global issues.

――How did you come to know about the Jelper Club?

Tazia: About a year ago, I found Jelper Club through a newsletter from JSA. I was looking for internships in Japan at the time. My interest in Japan actually started with my mom—she had always wanted to study abroad at Waseda University but couldn’t afford it. She introduced me to Japanese culture, and I found a lot that resonated, especially the sense of community orientation.

Now that I’ve been to Japan, those initial “blurry images” I had have become much clearer.

――What has your experience been like using the platform?

Tazia: I started using Jelper Club in my freshman year. I found it very user-friendly, and it made it easy to reach out to Japanese companies to ask about working there.

――What advice would you give to other Jelper Club members?

Tazia: Do your research—Japan is very different from the U.S., and it’s important to understand those differences before you dive in. Also, take things as they come. My school is very competitive when it comes to internships, but I’ve found that the most success comes from being curious and open-minded.

――Lastly, do you have a message for our readers?

Tazia: If you’re ever in Tokyo, hit me up! I’d love to connect with other students and professionals who share an interest in Japan and making a positive impact.

At Jelper Club, we’re committed to linking students and recent graduates around the world with opportunities to engage in Japan’s dynamic job market. If you share Tazia’s ambition to connect your global experiences with professional opportunities in Japan, we encourage you to explore our platform. From job listings tailored to overseas students, to a community of like-minded peers, Jelper Club offers the resources you need to make the most of your international path.