Personal Statement

It is said that with knowledge comes power. However, without communication, there is no passing of knowledge. What we communicate and how we communicate it is important, and powerful. At the core, I believe effective communication plays a crucial role in shaping our perceptions, fostering understanding, and driving action. This is why, first and foremost, I want to help people communicate important messages that are meaningful to the world we live in.

I aim to use communication as a tool, combining it with my passion for advocacy, social justice, and community empowerment. I want to leverage my communication skills to amplify voices, contribute to positive change, communicate valuable information, and address issues facing communities. This is why it’s my goal to work with, or for, non-profit, NGOs, or Indigenous organizations. In these spaces, I feel my drive and desire to help people and organizations communicate their messages in compelling and authentic ways will be best used.

Over the last four years, my journey through courses and work experiences has helped me find my personal style and strengthened my communication skills. Central being my written and verbal communication skills, essential for effectively conveying messages and creating connections. From this, I have developed a proclivity for the skill of public speaking and presenting, allowing me to communicate ideas persuasively and confidently.

One of my strengths lies in being able to articulate ideas clearly, allowing me to communicate complex ideas, or adapt to diverse audiences. Complimenting this is my keen interest in digital and technology skills, allowing me to leverage platforms, web design, and online tools to further support communication to stakeholders, internal and external alike. These skills serve as a valuable foundation when applying all my course-gained knowledge in the professional setting, ensuring I can achieve the desired outcome in any setting.

Institutional and Program Learning Outcomes

During my time at TRU, I have taken a wide variety of courses to help develop the skills I had already held. It was through the Program Learning Outcomes of the Batchelor of Communication and Digital Journalism I was able to recognize the areas I was lacking and diversify the expertise I had not yet rounded out.

As TRUSU Social Dance Club President my skills have come together to support connection and engagement on campus. In my role, I manage our social media platforms, write and present grant applications, achieve strategic goals, and execute events with a team of dedicated club members. I have been able to connect with diverse audiences and work with our amazing team towards our club goals. My skill set was also broadened by the courses Media and Public Relations (CMNS 3550) and Professional Communication (CMNS 3240) which equipped me to communicate effectively in professional contexts, ensuring clear and impactful messaging internally and in external public relations.

From EVNT 3800 to CMNS 4530 each of my professors encouraged exploration and critical thinking in their class. However, it was in Communications Research Methods (CMNS 3000) that I learned how to analyze and evaluate communication methodologically, aiding my ability to learn more about communication from the world around me. This framework is vital for examining other areas of communications like Urban Legends and Fake News (CMNS 3600), where we were able to explore the implications of Legends culturally, as well as critically analyzing media narratives and misinformation, enhancing my ability to approach media content with a critical lens. In Documentary Film Production (CMNS 3600) I was able to apply that critical lens to the topic of student housing, creating a high-level production and critical analysis of the TRU’s plans for for-profit on-campus housing.

These cross-campus and cultural issues explored in other classes highlighted the importance of having other education that helps to navigate the complexities of local-to-global communication. Courses like Cultural Anthropology (ANTH 1210) provided insights into different global communities, their issues, and intercultural dynamics, enriching my perspective on communication across cultures. As well as, Interpersonal Communication (CMNS 2170), which prepared me for diverse global interactions by highlighting the differences and similarities between interpersonal and intercultural communication styles. However, the ultimate learning experience has been in my role as a volunteer and research assistant with Knowledge Makers Journal. This role has furthered my appreciation for Indigenous research and understanding of Indigenous ways of knowing and being. On the team, I have been able to apply my skills to create intercultural communication solutions and utilize communication strategies to further awareness of Indigenous research at TRU.

As my program at TRU comes to an end, I see it as a stepping stone to further things, rather than a conclusion. I believe in lifelong learning and hope to continue my education year after year as the dynamic field of communications evolves.