Meet BA ’06 Cait McKinney: Uncovering subversive and politically charged historical valentines
Sending valentines may not be the most obvious method of political campaigning, but it was one of the ideas adopted by the Congressional Union for Woman Suffrage in their campaign for the vote.
Cait McKinney (BA English Honours, ’06) came across these witty and pointedly political historical records as part of a research project completed for the English honours seminar she took in her final semester of study at UBC with Professor Mary Chapman.
Political Persuasion
The valentine cards, sent to anti-suffrage American congressmen and President Thomas Woodrow Wilson on Valentine’s Day 1916, are personally tailored messages that used tongue-in-cheek rhymes and cartoons to advocate for suffrage. McKinney’s project and website includes reproductions of the previously unpublished valentines accompanied by critical annotations and an essay.
Working With Experts
To compile it, McKinney worked closely with the Sewall-Belmont House and Museum in Washington, DC, dedicated to the evolving role of women and their contributions to society through the continuing story of women’s pursuit for equality. Museum staff helped McKinney track down some of the valentines, and also scanned these for the project. The Sewall-Belmont House recently featured McKinney’s website in their online newsletter, a publication that reaches more than 2,500 readers.
“I wanted the students to experience, even vicariously, the thrill I have when I go to the archives and snoop around and find things,” says Professor Chapman, who taught the research-based seminar on American suffrage print culture. Prior to teaching the course, Chapman had conducted research in Sewall-Belmont House archives.
Primary Research A Great Learning Opportunity
“Most of the research that we get to do as undergrads is a new take on things that have already been done,” adds McKinney, who welcomed the opportunity to tackle research involving primary sources and then present her findings using the web. “Dr. Chapman wanted us to explore how we could use the Internet as a tool for letting other people gain access to either research that has not gotten a lot of attention, or is in danger of effectively going out of print,” McKinney says. “That’s particularly a big issue when you’re talking about women’s history because sadly there’s still not a lot of money devoted to publishing this kind of stuff,” she adds.
When McKinney first signed up for the honours seminar, she thought studying the suffrage movement would be a drag. Her original research gave her the chance to find an angle that interested her — the valentines and their representations of female sexuality. “It’s an example of how suffragists were really cunning in the way that they formed their arguments and eventually managed to win the vote by appealing to men on their own terms,” said McKinney. “They’re playing with the male idea of woman-as-object to be sexually conquered —they’re throwing it back in their critics’ faces. That’s why these valentines are so subversive and so effective: because they take the argument that was always thrown at feminists during that time period — that women were to be controlled and used by men and were not suited to voting — and make it their own.
More about McKinney
McKinney was a well-known undergraduate at UBC — she edited the AMS Insider, the student planner that is distributed to students every year. She also worked at the wellness centre as a peer educator and was active with the UBC Film Society as advertising manager and social coordinator. While she has plans to get back to school to pursue graduate studies in cultural theory, in the long term, she plans to continue doing what she’s doing now — writing with a youth focus. She currently works as a writer and researcher for Free The Children in Toronto, an international charity that seeks to raise awareness of global poverty amongst youth, and empower young people to realize that they can have an impact on the world.
By Alexandra Chu, BA ’07 in English Literature and a minor in History.
Meet alumnus Robert Parungao: Finding video games rife with stereotypes
Robert Parungao, who graduated from UBC with a BA in sociology, spent eight months analyzing the storylines and characters of four popular video games, finding stereotypes generally condemned in other entertainment media. “These images have gone unchallenged for the past 20 years or more,” says Parungao, who completed this eight-month analysis for his honours thesis.
Asian characters as Antagonists
Parungao’s analysis found Asian characters are consistently modeled on antagonistic stereotypes, such as kung fu warriors or faceless, yellow-skinned victims. “I think that, in many ways, they’re saying what a lot of people want to be hearing, because society has that inherent racism still, that’s kind of masked.”
The video game industry currently generates more than US $30 billion a year in worldwide sales, surpassing the motion picture industry in profits. In Canada, 35 per cent of households — and nearly 50 per cent in the U.S. — own a video game console.
Robert’s Research of Popular Video Games
For his study, Parungao looked at four titles that span two decades of video game design — Kung Fu, Warcraft 3, Shadow Warrior and Grand Theft Auto 3. He analyzed the storylines and characters, and spent 100 hours playing the games.
Grand Theft Auto has been a best-selling franchise for more than 10 years, says Parungao, and features non-white characters that are mainly triad members, yakuza gangsters, Latino gangs, or black hoods. “These stock characters are seen in a lot of games and function as narrative obstacles to be overcome, mastered or ultimately blown to smithereens by the white hero.”
Further, Parungao says games designers like to use a mix-and-match grab bag of Asian stereotypes that are often nonsensical. “The villain in Shadow Warrior goes by a Chinese name, Lo Wang. But when he fires his rocket launcher at his enemies, he screams ‘Just like Hiroshima.'”
Video Games Behind the Times in Cultural Sensitivity
Parungao believes video games have not kept pace with the changes seen in other entertainment media. “Film and television come under greater critical scrutiny, so civil rights and minority groups can voice their concerns and effect some change,” he explains. “But video games have generally been seen as kids’ toys. There aren’t the same mechanisms or critical forums to encourage game designers to evolve.”
Parungao says he believes that video games as an interactive media have a far greater impact than movies or sports, which are passive and observational.”It’s very different for a 15-year old boy to see stereotypes in a movie like ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s,’ where Mickey Rooney plays a bucktoothed Japanese character, versus entering the world of Grand Theft Auto, where you can walk into Chinatown and start mowing down Chinese gangsters with an AK-47.”
“I hope to continue looking into ways to improve video games because they’re fun and I’d like to see them turn into positive media instead of negative ones.”
Meet Erin York: Student education through the Arts
Hailing from Seattle, Washington, Erin is a film studies graduate with a drama minor and one of the 20 international students formally enrolled in the UBC Arts Co-op Program. While many students going into the program are still unsure about their career goals, Erin knew from the start what her ultimate dream job would be and how the co-op program would help get her there.
Nick Angiers: Discovering a love for the Chinese language
Nick Angiers (BA ’08) stumbled into Chinese after completing all the courses he could take in Japanese. Angiers graduated with a BA in Asian Languages and Culture, specializing in Chinese. He’s fluent in four languages: English, French, Japanese, and Chinese.
Meet Cornell Yeung: From Science to Arts
After spending his first year at UBC as a Science student, Cornell Yeung quickly discovered that working in a lab was not something he wanted to pursue as a career. Frustrated with his initial experiences with academia, Cornell made a somewhat surprising and unexpected decision to leave school altogether.
After a two-year hiatus Cornell made the conscious decision to return back to school, this time as an Arts student.
Cornell lists the Arts Co-op Program as one of his main incentives for coming back to UBC. “I believed that co-op would give me opportunities to acquire practical experience and that is what I wanted to gain most out of my university degree,” he notes.
The decision to join co-op turned out to be a good one for Cornell as he went on to complete four work terms which included a communications position with Vancouver Coastal Health in addition to two international placements in Australia and Japan.
“I enjoyed the diversity of tasks my co-op positions offered me,” Cornell says, “Through my work terms, I had opportunities to work as an English Teacher in Japan, plan an awards ceremony for Vancouver Coastal Health, develop and present an anti-smoking campaign for elementary school children, work as an advisor in an Australian university, and travel.”
Reflecting on the two years he spent out of school, Cornell has no regrets. The work experience he acquired during that time contributed to helping him get into the program as well as gave him experience to offer to employers during his early search for his first co-op placement.
“Everything is a learning experience,” Cornell states, “It’s important to be open-minded when it comes to acquiring experience in both life and work.”
In describing his philosophy when it comes to planning his career, Cornell quotes Oprah, stating, “Luck is opportunity meeting preparation. When I joined the Co-op program, I didn’t know what I wanted to do as a career but I did know that I wanted to be prepared for when I did decide.”
What the Arts Co-op Program offered Cornell was the chance to explore career options. Working in a variety of fields helped him to decide what he wanted and also, what he did not want to do. The Co-op Program gave him opportunities to apply and develop his strengths, acquire transferable skills, network, and build a strong resume.
Now in his final work term, Cornell is traveling to Shanghai, China to work for a land development company.
By Carmen Chu (BA 2008, Psychology and English Literature). Carmen is an Arts Co-op student.
Meet BA ’00 Sarah Galashan: Aiming for the front page
Sarah Galashan had wanted to be a journalist since age 16, and after she gained experience volunteering and interning at various news stations, she realized she thrived off the adrenaline in the fast-paced news environment. Sarah graduated from UBC in 2000 with a BA in Canadian Studies.
Meet ’97 BA almunus Richard Lam: Taking a snapshot of the future
Richard used to feel as if his only options upon graduation were either teaching or law. However, his first term working for the Ubyssey taught him otherwise – that he could get paid for taking photographs!
Richard graduated from UBC in 1997 with a BA in Political Science (major) and History (minor). He decided to concentrate on these subject areas out of genuine interest and planned to apply his studies towards a career in teaching.
As a second year Arts student, he was worried about job prospects with his degree, especially since many of his friends were graduating from BCIT with specific job training. He felt his only options were teaching or law. However, his first term working for the Ubyssey taught him otherwise – that he could get paid for being a photographer!
From second year onwards, Richard became increasingly involved with the Ubyssey, first as a volunteer and then in a paid position as Photo Editor. He also joined the Photo Club and became involved with intramural sports.
Aside from his on-campus involvement, he further clarified his career goals by interviewing and talking with other freelance photographers. These combined experience helped to better prepare him for a career in the journalism industry. He is now the sole proprietor of his Freelance Photography business and the main freelancer in BC for the Canadian Press.
If you are interested in pursuing a similar career path, Richard suggests refining your photography skills, getting feedback from professionals, learning business sense, and getting involved with a student newspaper or Photo Club.
Why did you choose UBC?
It was the local or ‘home’ school. I got into other universities, but UBC replied first, and it made the most sense practically.
When did you start post-secondary education?
1992, the September following high school graduation.
When did you graduate from UBC?
1997, I took five years to complete my degree. Some terms I took four or five courses, and in others I took three.
How did you choose your major?
I stumbled into it. I took classes my friends were taking, and I had an interest in government and politics. I chose history as a minor in third year when I thought I was interested in Education. I needed to have a concentration in a teachable subject of study, so History fit with my thoughts of being a Social Sciences high school teacher at that time.
Did you ever change your mind about your Major/Minor?
Yes, I also had an interest in landscape architecture, but at that point I decided it was too late, and that I was too far along in my degree to change and start over again. There would have been lots of required courses and I would have had to go back into first year, and I didn’t want to do that.
Why did you decide to major in the subjects you chose?
I had a genuine interest in the subjects, so I took the courses that I liked.
Did you have an idea of what you would do after graduation?
Yes, I thought of law and education, but then started doing photography as a volunteer at the Ubyssey and loved it. After my first term of working at the student paper, I realized I could get paid for doing this and I wanted to pursue my dream.
Why did you think of Law and Education?
I had been a counselor in teen youth groups and coached hockey, so I thought I might enjoy being a high school teacher. I thought of law as being a good stepping-stone to being employed in a company’s upper management.
Many arts students seem to consider those same options, thinking that those are the only professional options that exist for BA grads. Was this a factor for you too?
Yes, especially after second year, I was worried. I had only worked in construction and I had no sales or marketing experience anywhere. I thought "what next?"
My sister went back to school after working as a bank teller, finished her degree and went back to a job as a bank teller with a degree. I believed that an Arts degree was worth something, but I didn’t know what.
What were your other interests in high school? University?
Photography was always at the back of my mind, but I never pursued it in high school. I enjoyed hockey, and hoped to land a sports scholarship that would put me through university, but it didn’t work out.
Were you involved in any extra-curricular activities while at UBC?
I did some intramural sports and got into photography by joining the Photo Club.
If so, how did you choose those activities?
I liked to play hockey and be active…the Photo Club became the basis of my social life while at UBC, especially after third year when I volunteered and then worked at the Ubyssey.
Did involvement in activities help you gain experience or skills that helped you to find or secure your current job?
Yes, absolutely! All of my learning was on the job. There was no formal training, all hands-on experience, and being involved has been the key.
It was through the Photo Club that another club member encouraged me to volunteer at the Ubyssey, which was a great experience. My friend also prompted me to apply for the job of Photo Editor when it came up at the Ubyssey and I took his advice and applied for and got the job.
Was volunteering a factor in getting hired there?
Yes, it was the turning point. I wouldn’t have been qualified otherwise, they knew me and knew my work, and I was right there when they needed someone.
Did you ever feel afraid or worried about what kind of career or work you could find with a BA?
Yes! Especially early on because many of my friends went to BCIT, which is a focused job training institution. These friends were finished after two years and looking for work as I was just heading into 3rd year. It was around that time though, that I got more involved in photography and the rest is history.
Did you plan to be where you are now career-wise?
No, not when I first started. After I graduated, I learned what it takes to be a freelance photographer. I knew it would be a small business and I decided to go for it and give myself three years to make it.
How important were your grades in terms of landing your current job?
Not important. I learned very quickly that an Arts degree is not like an Engineering degree, for example, where grades are very important to employers. No one had ever asked me in a job interview or work setting what kind of grades I got in university. Just having the degree completed was useful.
What is your job title?
Freelance Photographer.
What other job titles have you had leading up to this one?
Photo Editor at the Ubyssey. Before that, I was a volunteer photographer and before that I had been a laborer.
Can you give me an overview of your job description and some of the day-to-day tasks?
I do corporate photography and specialize in Editorial work, but you name it, I’ll shoot it. As I’m the sole proprietor of the business, there’s also lots of computer work, business skills, paperwork, negotiation skills, self-promotion, and cold calling. I use the Internet a lot to research and find contacts who might be interested in my work.
Do you think you developed any of these skills as an Arts student?
Yes, the BA taught me how to think imaginatively and independently, to use creativity and stay self-motivated.
What aspects of the job are most important and satisfying to you?
Variety. I do something different every day. Sometimes I know I have upcoming work months in advance. Sometimes it’s literally minute by minute or day by day. I’m okay with the uncertainty.
What aspects are least satisfying to you?
At the beginning, not knowing when the next paycheck would be. Rejection was also more difficult in the beginning.
How long have you been in business?
1999 to 2004. After graduation I continued at the Ubyssey for one more year and took English 301, a business and technical writing course that was very useful and practical.
How did you support yourself at the beginning?
I was still living at home, and received $500 stipend for working at the Ubyssey, but my parents’ help was important. Three years ago, in 2001, I secured an agreement with Canadian Press as their main freelancer in BC.
They have only one staff member in Vancouver, who I serve as back-up for. When he’s called away out of town or on vacation, I have guaranteed work. It’s been my main bread-and-butter for the last three years. Although there’s only work when there’s news that sparks national attention.
How did you land this agreement?
Persistence. The guy who was doing this job previously moved on to the Province Newspaper, so I called the staff photographer and pestered him until he agreed to meet with me. I bought a digital camera and was working within a few days after that.
If there were some aspects of the job you could change, what would they be?
More job security, benefits, vacation pay.
Did you know before you started the job what it would be like?
Yes. My father is self-employed as a Chartered Accountant, so I knew the benefits and drawbacks right away of being your own boss. No medical or dental, no set vacation. He helped me to learn the paperwork side too!
How did you do your research?
I interviewed and talked to other freelance photographers. There weren’t many mentors really, but I met with people after school for coffee to talk about what I was getting myself into. That was quite helpful.
I am now a mentor for the Ubyssey staff and volunteers because I never had one and it would have been easier if I had.
What salary range could most BA graduates expect in this field?
$30,000 -$40,000 per annum, but it can be higher or lower depending on how much hustling you do and what type of photography you do. Many paparazzi earn six figures. For me, as an Editorial specialist, I’m not rich but I’m happy.
What would you recommend that students interested in this field do while in school to better their chances of finding work in this field?
Refine your photography skills, learn business sense, and get involved with a student newspaper or UBC Photo Club. Just be taking lots of pictures and, most importantly, ask for feedback.
Be pro-active, show your work, and ask professionals for feedback. I went to a photographers’ conference and got help, and the business manager at the Ubyssey newspaper was really helpful too.
What is the worst thing a student could do?
Be lazy and unmotivated. Just going to classes and not getting involved. Not being willing to grow and stretch limits. Stagnancy shows up and really stands out in photography.
Looking back, is there anything you would do differently while at university?
The thing I kick myself over is not getting involved earlier in Photo Club. I knew I liked taking pictures as a kid, but in high school I didn’t have time to get seriously involved.
Photo Club was great, it had a low annual membership fee, I met more people who had a common interest, got more information, took pictures, learned along the way, and then started getting paid for it.
Any advice to current students?
Find a focus or niche, develop it, and work hard at it. The job market can be competitive, so seize opportunities as they can go by quickly.
In my case, I had graduated and signed up at Loyalist College in Belleville Ontario for a photojournalist diploma. But when the opportunity at Canadian Press came up I jumped on it and left the program only three weeks after it started to sign on.
What I learned in that few weeks of photojournalism college was that I already had the skills I needed to make it on my own and that the course material was redundant.
This really helped boost my confidence because I had already developed the skills through my Bachelor’s degree and my volunteer and paid work experience. All that I needed to do next was believe in my goal and make it happen.
Alumni Advice: The power of self-confidence
Jonathon found that a BA plus self-confidence goes a long way.
Jonathan graduated from UBC in 1998 with a BA in Economics. Since the summer after his first year at UBC, he worked part-time in the banking industry.
Through this work experience he gained great clarity and confidence that this was the right field for him. He has set future career goals for himself such as being in management and joining the executive ranks. He currently balances his life by regularly indulging in the arts and sitting on the Board of Directors of non-profit organizations in our community.
When he graduated, he had a clear idea of what he wanted to do because of his work experience and networking contacts. In fact, it was largely through such contacts that he secured his current position as a Financial Advisor for CIBC Imperial Service. In addition, he has been able to strengthen his business relations and develop rapport through his clients’ shared appreciation of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra (VSO).
If you are interested in pursuing a similar career path, Jonathan recommends that you take the Canadian Securities Course by correspondence while you are at university and that you gain experience with entry-level positions as a Teller or Customer Service Representative. In his experience, if you combine hard work and networking, you will be well on your way to jump-starting an exciting career!
What is your job title?
Financial Advisor, CIBC Imperial Service / CIBC Investor Services Inc.
What other job titles have you had leading up to this one?
Customer Service Representative; Financial Services Officer; Financial Services Manager
Can you give me an overview of your job description and some of the day-to-day tasks?
I manage a portfolio of approximately $100 million made up of approximately 1200 clients. I provide financial advice concerning all aspects of my clients’ financial health such as cash flow, credit, investments, and protection planning. I strive to find a balance between portfolio profitability and growth.
My daily tasks include: contacting clients to identify their immediate needs, uncovering future business opportunities, obtaining referrals, approval of loans and mortgages, making investment recommendations, and some paperwork. In a nutshell, I help clients fulfill their dreams and achieve their desired lifestyle.
What aspects of the job are most important and satisfying to you?
First, I enjoy dealing with clients from various backgrounds and experiences. I have made friendships that will last a lifetime. In fact, I have been invited to be the master of ceremonies at a client’s wedding this December, which is a huge honour.
Second, I’ve been given a huge responsibility and managing a portfolio of this size is financially rewarding.
What aspects are least satisfying to you?
Administrative tasks such as paperwork.
Did you know before you started the job what it would be like?
Yes, I had a clear picture because of my networking contacts at the Bank of Montreal, and that is also how I got my current job. My previous Assistant Branch Manager at Bank of Montreal became a General Manger with CIBC Imperial Service and he told me all about the job before I applied. Networking was a huge factor in my landing this job, as it is in many industries.
Is this the type of job you see yourself in long term?
I hope to one day coach and motivate a sales team of my own so that they may be successful. I strive to become an effective leader within the organization.
What salary range could most BA graduates expect in this field?
Entry-level employees (ie. customer service representatives and personal bankers), typically earn between $20,000 – $35,000.
At the financial advisor level, although I can’t disclose any figures, there is a reasonable base salary plus performance bonuses that can be quite substantial.
How long have you been working here?
Four and a half years in this particular job with CIBC Imperial Service, but I’ve worked in the banking industry for over nine years.
Why did you choose UBC?
I always knew I’d either go to UBC or SFU. I chose UBC because in my mind it was a bigger, better university and I thought it would carry more recognition and prestige that would benefit me long-term.
When did you start post-secondary education?
September 1994, immediately after graduating from high school.
When did you graduate from UBC?
In November 1998.
How did you choose your major?
I went back and forth on that decision for a while. In my first year I took courses in pre-Commerce, as I thought I might go into Accounting. However, I also took courses in Economics and Philosophy and after deciding that Accounting wasn’t for me, my choice in major came down to those two.
I really enjoyed both, but decided that Economics would give me a better foundation, as I knew that I would work in the business sector after I graduated.
Did you ever change your mind about your Major/Minor?
Yes. As I said earlier, it came down to a choice between Economics and Philosophy. At the end of my third year, I declared my major in Economics and was happy with that choice.
I also discovered Theatre in third year and decided to take a number of elective courses in that because acting has always been a passion of mine.
Why did you decide to major in the subject you chose?
I thought that Economics would have more of a real world application in my case, because I knew I wanted to go into banking and finance. I had been working at the Bank of Montreal since the summer after my first year at UBC. I knew early on that I was in the right industry for me.
Did you have an idea of what you would do after graduation?
Yes, it was very clear. While working at the bank, I knew I wanted to be part of the sales team and eventually in management, so it was a matter of moving up the corporate ladder by networking and taking applicable courses, both inside and outside of those required by my major.
What did you think were the options for BA graduates?
I thought the world was available to me and that anything was possible. I still believe that to be true.
What were your other interests in high school? University?
I really enjoyed theatre back in high school and went back to it in third-year university. I am also interested in the VSO, all kinds of expressions of music, and the arts.
Were you involved in any extra-curricular activities while at UBC?
I was involved with the Filipino Student Association (FSA). I took part in a few planning activities for events, but didn’t have much time to devote to that group as I was also working part-time. I also spent time socializing and developing friendships on campus with the new people I met in my classes.
Did involvement in extra-curricular activity help you gain experience or skills that helped you to find or secure your current job?
I think so. My recent appreciation of the VSO has helped me to relate to my clients better. I often see them at the symphony and that has helped me to develop rapport and strengthen business links.
Did you ever feel afraid or worried about what kind of career or work you could find with a BA?
No. I felt pretty confident.
Did you plan to be where you are now career-wise?
At this point in my life, yes.
How important were your grades in terms of landing your current job?
Not as important as I thought. Employers are more concerned about the fact that you’ve completed your BA, as doing so guarantees them that you have refined learning skills. I thought that grades were very important. I got straight A’s in high school, but not in university.
However, it never came up in an interview. I think it’s much more important to be sociable, confident, and to be able to show that you can apply your skills. There must be a balance between academic performance and what practical skills you can bring to the workplace.
What skills from your Arts degree did you bring to your current job?
Multi-tasking, time management, prioritizing, effective communication, and the ability to compartmentalize ideas.
Is this the kind of job that someone with a Bachelor’s degree can do?
Yes, absolutely. You can enter the banking industry as a Customer Service Representative while you are a student, like I did. Then if you express an interest in developing a career in banking, you can be sponsored to take the Canadian Securities course, a job requirement.
If you show enthusiasm, confidence and aptitude, believe me, Human Resources will be interested in moving you forward.
What would you recommend that students interested in this field do while in school to better their chances of finding work in this field?
To do my job, you must be licensed as an Investment Advisor, and to get licensed, the first step is to have passed the Canadian Securities course.
I would recommend beginning the Canadian Securities course while in university if you can. Commerce and Economics majors may find that some of the information overlaps with course material, but it really helps to understand the information as it can jump-start your career.
Also, look for entry-level positions as a Customer Service Representative, then work hard, be driven, and expand your network. It’s a small community and those in management will take notice.
What is the worst thing a student could do?
Just stay home and study. It’s like dating – if you want to be in a relationship, you have to get out there. Career development is no different. Make contacts, get involved, gain confidence… put yourself out there and you can’t go wrong.
Looking back, is there anything you would do differently while at university?
I think I might have pursued a minor in a different department. It is always better to be well-rounded academically by having a background in different fields.
Any advice to current students?
Keep your options open. Don’t think you are limited by your choice of discipline. Your Bachelor of Arts skills, specifically your ability to learn and adapt to constantly changing environments, are transferable to all kinds of sectors, so don’t let that stand in your way.
Identify what motivates you, be passionate in what you do, be confident about your abilities, and ask questions. Get out there and explore!
Alumni Advice: Capitalizing on networking
Taking advantage of each opportunity, Anne carved a path out for herself, creating positions that had previously never existed.
Anne graduated from UBC in 1990 with a BA in Political Science. She developed an interest in history and politics from her father, so Political Science always felt like a natural fit. Aside from her studies, Anne played intramural volleyball and soccer and loved to spend time socializing with her friends in residence and at the Pit.
Before working with Ovarian Cancer Canada, Anne held many positions including Media and Events Coordinator for the Injury Prevention Centre at Vancouver General Hospital (VGH) as well as a position developing Media Relations for Muscular Dystrophy Canada. She says she wasn’t sure which career path to follow after graduation but through her various jobs was able to figure out what she liked to do and how to do it.
As Manager of Awareness for Ovarian Cancer Canada, Anne is in charge of media relations and works closely with members of the media as well as advertising agencies to build awareness surrounding the needs and goals of her organization.
She suggests that students looking for a career in media relations capitalize on networking opportunities by volunteering for the organization or company they are interested in working with.
What is your current job title?
Manager of Awareness for Ovarian Cancer Canada
What previous positions led you to this one?
- Corporate and Media Relations Development for Western Canada for Muscular Dystrophy Canada;
- Coordinator of Safe-start Injury Prevention Program at Children’s Hospital;
- Media and Events Coordinator for BC Injury Prevention Centre out of Vancouver General Hospital;
- Marketing Representative for McDonald’s Restaurants of Canada (found in the student employment centre on UBC Campus)
How did you find and secure your current job?
By word of mouth from a former colleague at Children’s Hospital who mentioned to me Ovarian Cancer Canada was hiring. Many of the positions I’ve had are the result of networking. The types of people who recommend you tend to know where you will fit so it works out well.
What is your job description?
This organization is really small, but has recently received funding to expand. My role is to develop an organized national awareness plan in order to increase membership and support.
Can you give me an overview of a typical work day?
I handle media relations. For example, I send out press releases for upcoming events and I handle general questions from the media regarding the organization’s position on specific issues. Recently, I have been working with ad agencies and other experts who assist me in making decisions regarding how to approach specific audiences.
What aspects of your job are most important and satisfying?
The fact that I believe in what I am doing and passionate about it is very satisfying. Throughout my career I have always excelled when I believe I am making a difference. Some people go to work and do their job regardless, but I really need to believe in it. I feel it is important for anyone considering this field.
If they really believe in the cause, other people are going to pick up on it.
Another satisfying aspect about my job is being able to do something like a media interview or getting a story out there that saves somebody’s life. At the end of the day, you go home and feel like you’ve actually made a difference and that’s very satisfying.
What aspects are least satisfying?
I don’t really fit well into the 9 to 5 box. I’ve always loved to be independent because sometimes I’ll get inspiration at night and I’ll be at work until 8.
If there’s anything you could change about your job, what would it be?
No, this job is great. It’s a small group environment and I really enjoy that.
Before you started did you know what the job would be like?
No. But every single job that I’ve had, I was hired to create something that didn’t exist. At McDonald’s, I created a brand new community marketing program. It had never been done before, so we started from scratch. I’ve never been hired into an existing role to continue where someone left off. It’s interesting. I enjoy the challenge.
How did research your current position and organization?
A colleague of mine at Children’s Hospital told me a little bit about the position. She knows me really well over a couple of years so I had a good feeling about it.
Also my Grandmother died of Ovarian Cancer so I knew it was something I would be passionate about. Up until last July, there was only one person running the organization.
What salary range could a BA graduate expect in this field?
I would say a manager of a fairly small charity could expect to make from $40,000 – 45,000. If you’re trying to break in, you’re probably looking to start around $32,000 – 38,000.
What would you recommend that students interested in this field do while they’re in school to better their chances of finding work?
If you are interested in something, go check it out yourself. Originally I wanted work in the media, so I volunteered as an intern at CTV news. After that experience, I realized that I didn’t really like working in the media.
Try to volunteer at the charities where you’d like to work. It’s not always easy but if you can get in, you are going to meet the people that will do the hiring.
Co-op programs are also a great opportunity. Even if it’s not a lucrative position in the short term, it may be a really valuable networking experience.
What skills from your Arts degree helped you to create or find your current job?
Writing essays was great practice. Being able to take a lot of information and condense it into something manageable is a valuable skill. You also learn a lot of discipline at university. There’s a lot of pressure and it’s not always easy to juggle your social life and school work.
An Arts degree is great because it gives you a solid foundation. Being a generalist can be a pretty marketable thing; I would recommend going beyond that and taking advantage of post-graduate opportunities.
Is this a job that someone with a BA could easily do?
It’s a job that anyone can do if they are passionate about it, really believed in the cause, and have the right skill sets.
Why did you choose UBC?
I was born and raised in the interior and came from a very small town. But there was no question that I was going to UBC. It is an elite school and has a residential program so I was able to live on campus.
When did you start your post-secondary education?
Immediately after high school.
How did you choose a major?
My father was a Grade 12 history teacher and was passionate about history and politics. I was exposed to a lot of that growing up. So by the time I got to UBC, I was really interested and it was a natural fit. I gravitated towards 20th century American history because I was always fascinated about American government and culture.
Did you ever change your mind about your Major?
I started out in History and switched to Political Science. It just sounded better. Looking back, it was kind of a superficial decision.
Have you taken any post-graduate courses?
When I went to work at the Children’s Hospital – I took a week-long course at the Health Policy Research Institute. I needed to learn the specifics around research into injuries and population health.
I also needed to get specific training so I could talk with people in the industry. If there is a specific area that the organization focuses on and you don’t have any expertise, there are plenty of places to go and get some basic training.
Did you have an idea of what to do career-wise after graduation?
Not really, one of the reasons I chose Arts was so I would have some options.
What did you think your options were as a graduate with a BA?
I didn’t really know where I was going to end up. And I don’t think that everyone should know when they’re 20. The people I know who have been really successful never knew what they wanted to do. I think if you do what you like to do you will end up doing well.
Have any faculty or staff members influenced you along the way?
One of my history professors was hugely influential because he was so passionate about what he was teaching. He influenced me from a presentation perspective.
Another influence was a woman I met while I was working on the sports paper who taught me editing and basic skills to use around the media.
What were your non-academic interests in high school and university?
I played competitive classical piano throughout elementary and high school. I actually competed at UBC!
What extracurricular activities were you involved in while at UBC?
I was quite involved in intramural sports at UBC; volleyball and soccer. And I went to the Pit. (laughs)
How did you choose these activities?
The people on my floor in residence encouraged me to sign up for a lot of activities. Had I lived at home, I wouldn’t have had the same experience. And I’m still great friends with a lot of the people I lived with in residence.
Has your involvement helped you to gain experience or skills transferable to your current job?
I was pretty shy when I first came to school. I didn’t have big groups of friends or anything like that. So I think the biggest gift UBC gave me was the opportunity to meet all sorts of different people and come out of my shell. I left UBC with way better communication and teamwork skills than I had in high school.
Were you ever worried or afraid about what kind of work was available after graduating with a BA?
Oh yeah. I think we all are. I thought I wasn’t going to have a job and didn’t know what I was going to do. I’ve found that the economy can be a huge issue too. If you’re coming out of school at a time when there are no jobs it’s going to be a lot harder.
So, as a student, you can’t beat yourself up and say that you don’t have a job because you’re not good enough. When you see an opportunity to get out there and get some work, you have to pursue it.
What steps brought you to your current career?
- I got a mentor.
- I made a big point of asking for help. I wasn’t afraid of going to my boss and saying “I don’t know how to do this.”
- I made sure that I got involved with big organizations. There were lots of opportunities to work for smaller ones, but I went for one that had good credentials, a lot of potential, or somebody in the organization I thought was going to be able to teach me a lot. The only reason I am here is because of the caliber of the organizations I have worked with over the years.
Did you plan to be where you are now career-wise?
Not until half-way through my career at Children’s Hospital did I realize this was really what I liked to do. It took a while for me to figure out where I wanted to go and how I was going to do it.
How important were grades in terms of landing your current job?
Not at all, which is good because while I was at UBC I focused a lot of time on extracurricular activities. Of course I had to work hard, but I wanted to make sure that I had fun as well. In my job I rely a lot on flair and confidence which are skills I was able to pick up from socializing and networking.
What is the worst thing a student could do with respect to working in this field?
Don’t be cocky. It’s not a good idea to push yourself and your opinions too hard onto others until you have some experience under your belt. Then you can say, “Well I have the experience, and therefore I’m going to say this.”
Looking back, is there anything you would have done differently while at UBC?
If I could do it over again, I would have done an international internship somewhere. I would encourage anyone to do that.
I didn’t really plan well when I got in either. I never took the time to sit down with anyone and plan out my courses. I would never do that kind of thing now.
Also, I might have gone back sooner and done an MBA. I think once you’ve been out of it for a long time, it becomes very difficult to go back.
Meet Kyle MacDonald: From a Red Paperclip to a House
When Kyle MacDonald set out to get a house, he decided that a 9-to-5 job was not the most interesting strategy for success. Instead, he began a series of trades, beginning with one red paperclip that would eventually lead him to fame and his ultimate goal: a house.
When asked what inspired him to start his journey to trade a paperclip for a house, Kyle MacDonald laughed and said “procrastination.” MacDonald, a UBC Geography alumnus, always had a patchwork of random jobs, from planting thousands of trees in his summer months to working part-time contracts. Like many recent graduates, MacDonald was hesitant to commit to a permanent position.
When MacDonald and his girlfriend made the decision to begin saving for a home of their own, he knew he must commit to furthering their goal. MacDonald was able to use this motivation and skills he learned from his Arts experience to forge his own path.
Influenced by a game he played as a child, “Bigger and Better,” MacDonald made the decision to trade his way to a house. The object of the game is to trade a small object for an object of greater value, continuing to achieve the most gain at the end of the allotted period of time. MacDonald armed himself with a red paperclip as his first item and began advertising online for the first trade.
He kept a detailed account of the objects he received and the trades he made. Such items included a fish pen, a snowmobile, an afternoon with rock star Alice Cooper, a movie role, and, of course, the house in Kipling, Saskatchewan.
MacDonald’s success was publicized worldwide: He has a two-page feature in Ripley’s Believe it or Not! …the Remarkable Revealed; appeared on Weekend Today on NBC; and now has his own book entitled: One Red Paperclip: Or How an Ordinary Man Achieved His Dream with the Help of a Simple Office Supply.
A transfer student from Simon Fraser University, MacDonald was drawn to UBC’s vibrant community and thriving social scene. The potential to expand his personal network and the variety of events available to students made his decision effortless.
MacDonald capitalized on these opportunities by choosing to live in one of UBC’s most active residences: Totem Park. He felt that his time in Totem Park allowed him to refine his networking and organizational skills.
“Living away from home [makes you appreciate] what can transpire when a bunch of people live in the same place together,” MacDonald explains, “I realized you could make things happen very fast.”
His advice to students? “University should not be for getting a job,” MacDonald passionately advocates. He believes that students should be at university because they want to expand their knowledge.
By Meghan Roberts (BA 2008, English Literature and International Relations). Meghan was a contributor to The Ubyssey