My career in journalism began in my senior year of high school when the Amazonian forests caught fire in Bolivia and didn’t stop burning for months. For me, those fires were one of the worst disasters happening in the world and yet, there was little coverage in local news. The coverage in international outlets was even more limited when it came to the situation in my country. That event left many stories unheard, but it made me realize that someday I would like to tell them. At that moment I decided to pursue journalism.
I have spent the last four years at Thompson Rivers University learning how to tell stories to the best of my ability. With the guidance and support of my professors, I have been able to develop my storytelling skills and not only apply them to my projects but also to different aspects of my life. I can confidently say I have acquired TRU’s four Institutional Learning Outcomes of Connection, Local-to-Global, Exploration, and Engagement.
Connection is one of the most important outcomes I have acquired throughout my degree. Connection is formed by communication and teamwork, and I’ve had the opportunity to develop both skills by working on collaborative projects, pitching story ideas to my professors, and workshopping with my peers. Most importantly, I have been able to create and nurture connections with the recipients of the stories I’ve produced.
Coming to Canada as an international student, I had the opportunity to immerse myself in different cultures and ways of knowledge and achieve Local-to-Global learning outcomes. Learning about Indigenous knowledge and how to apply it in trauma-informed and solutions-oriented reporting has helped me be more aware of how to approach stories and how to interview individuals. Early in my studies, I learned that there is strength in diversity. The way we tell a story will be the way the public understands it, and I think it is highly valuable to have different perspectives when doing so.
As a journalist, we have the responsibility to communicate truthfully and accurately. The stories I have worked on required extensive research and critical thinking to decide what stories are newsworthy, what sources to include, and what people to interview. I have applied the knowledge and skills I acquired from my classes and used them to the best of my ability to tell stories. I’ve also been able to apply my writing and active listening skills at my job at the Wellness Centre as a peer mentor, where I’ve created social media posts and informational posters with research related to wellness and offered one-on-one peer support to students.
Lastly, for Engagement, I’ve gained a strong sense of social responsibility from my program. My professors have played an integral role in preparing me to consider the social and ethical aspects of reporting and storytelling. Before I approach a story I take into consideration if I’m the best person to do it, what will be the implications of said story and what groups or individuals it could affect. Moreover, as a journalist, I have a sense of social responsibility to report on events that are relevant to the public.
I know that my learning journey will not stop once I graduate, but I’m excited to apply all the teachings and skills I have received to my future.