SuChin Pak posed a single question to students Thursday night in her lecture on teen politics and the youth vote: "What does it mean to be an American?"

The MTV news correspondent gave her lecture, "Teen Politics: Navigating the Current Landscape and Youth Issues," at the University Center in an event hosted by UT's Asian American Association and the UT Issues Committee. She spoke to students about her personal story of politics.

“My whole life has been framed by my immigration childhood,” Pak said. She moved with her family from Korea to the U.S. when she was 5 years old.

“What does it mean to be an American when no one in your family looks American?" Pak said. "What does it mean to be an American when your culture and customs are not American?” This is an issue she still faces today.

She also spoke of her college experience.  Her family expected her to obtain an “Asian trinity” job – that is doctor, lawyer or engineer.  Therefore, Pak studied political science at the University of California, Berkeley, which was a 20-minute drive from her family’s home. 

It’s not that the youth aren’t politically engaged and don’t want to talk about the issues, but that politicians don’t talk to young people
-SuChin Pak, MTV news correspondent

She lived at home throughout college and describes it as “dramatically painful.”  She had plans to go into law but discovered that journalism provided her with a neutral ground with which to view the world. 

“I never had the ambition or interest to be a journalist or newscaster," she said. "I thought it would be dull and [a] depressing job.

She said her audience’s reaction is what inspires her to continue her career in journalism.  The challenge in her career is finding effective ways to bring politics to teens, she said. She tries to make her stories personal by putting a face upon the political issues through a diary style of journalism. 

“My job is an extension of my conversation with my friends,” Pak said. 

Pak believes the most important issues for young voters are the economy and the war. Because a degree no longer guarantees a graduate a job, the economy is a huge issue for youth voters, she said.

She encourages students to sift through the politics of politicians and to understand the core issues. 

“This is the information of truth. This is the YouTube candidate,” Pak said.

She expects the highest turnout of young voters ever in this presidential election.

“Through political participation, we can change things the old-fashion way, with hope,” Pak said.