I spent my first two of university in the Media, Information and Technoculture (MIT) program and it is my passion to use screen-based media to affect change on society. I want to work in film, television or video because I believe that stories told through these media allow people to connect emotionally with stories and empathize with experiences they would not otherwise have. Documentaries like An Inconvenient Truth (global warming), Killing Us Softly (advertising advocacy) and Inside Job (corporate practices) have inspired me and demonstrated how one courageous voice can speak out against a whole system. I have personally experienced the power to media to challenge assumptions, change people's minds, and mobilize people to action.
Additional Information
Personal Definition of Sustainability
Sustainability is ensuring that future generations can have a better quality of life than we do. For me, that involves making sure that people are informed and can make the decisions that are best for them, their societies and their children. People cannot know what is truly in their best interests unless they know about the underlying systems that can work to either free them or hold them captive. Once they are aware, creating a sustainable world involves enabling them with the skills and resources to improve their situation. Sustainability is giving every person a fair chance to have the best life possible, no matter where they grew up or came from.
Sustainability-in-Action
Three years ago, I travelled to Tijuana, Mexico on a volunteer trip to help build a second orphanage for a community organization.
I have volunteered at Hot Docs International Documentary Film Fest. I am also a member of the DOC Organization Of Canada, which allows me to learn about issues that affect this arts community in Canada. Documentary filmmakers regularly work to advocate current issues and funding their efforts is critical to ensuring continual improvements in society's governing bodies. I have been in contact with a number of Canadian filmmakers and media professionals and assisted them in the awareness campaigns for their projects.
I volunteered at 94.9 CHRW as an on air host for the past two years. I work with CHRW because, as a non-profit, community organization, CHRW works to promote the Canadian and global music and arts culture.
I am also a member of the Ivey LEADER project and will be traveling to Russia this May to teach business strategy and entrepreneurship to university students. I think LEADER is a perfect example of how you do not need to be a certain age, have certain education qualifications in order to start helping people. I am head of the Media &Tech Committee on the LEADER Project and my goal is to have LEADERites capture video footage of our project sites so that we can further spread the word and engage more students and sponsors.
