How I'm going to make the most of my final year at TMU

There are so many things in downtown that I want to explore and experience before I graduate, both on and off campus. Studying journalism, both so close to home and surrounded by newsrooms, is a privilege I never want to waste! As I reach my last year in the Journalism program at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU), I'd like to share a few of my goals for my fourth year with you.

The first thing that comes to my mind when I think of “real-world experience” is internships. In fourth year, Journalism students have the option to take an internship course or to engage in other on-campus projects. These projects can include working with student-run publications on campus, such as the Review of Journalism (external link, opens in new window)  or On The Record (external link, opens in new window) . Some internship opportunities in journalism can range from working as a writer for the Toronto Star (external link, opens in new window) , in the communications department with a PR agency or even working in video editing with Rogers (external link, opens in new window) .

For me, I’ve always been passionate about being in a fun and hectic downtown newsroom — kind of like what they show in early 2000s movies. However, that’s not all that an internship means to me. Using my passions in telling untold stories and my love for content creation is something I definitely want to see in action. Maybe being in a placement where I get to be creative, but also have the chance to report on important things going on in the world, is what I’m leaning towards pursuing. 

I love studying at cafés, especially when exam season comes around. I’ve also been trying to support local businesses and immerse myself into diverse cafés around the city. I hope to continue this next year!

Persian rugs, poetry and coffee are my three favourite things. I’ve seen The Arch Café Bar (external link, opens in new window)  all over my social media for a while now, and I’m surprised that I haven’t stopped by! The café is inspired by the Middle East, featuring live music and poetry readings. It’s located at 293 Augusta Ave, which is a 10-minute streetcar ride and a 30-minute walk from campus. I love the diversity on TMU’s campus, but the heart of the city’s culture has to be Kensington Market, where the café is located.

So, you’re probably wondering what a zine is. It’s a mini version of a magazine! Starting an online magazine on campus has always been a goal of mine — so I finally began one with my friends who are also in the Journalism program at TMU! From talking about mental health, to identity and politics, Riadh Magazine (external link, opens in new window)  brings unheard voices to light. Although our magazine is fairly new, we have the goal of recruiting creative writers across campus and the city.

More than anything, we hope that our magazine gets recognized for bringing perspectives to light that readers can see themselves in. With that said, The Toronto Zine Library (external link, opens in new window)  is a library located in the city that showcases people’s artwork and writing in the form of a zine. If our passion project can be placed in this library and be read by people around Toronto, it would feel like we’re making a difference!

I’ve always been fascinated by photo booths and how each print captures a specific moment in time. I’ve visited a few around the city, but before I graduate, I want to stop by new ones I find,and grab a photo with whoever I’m with! I’m excited to continue collecting the photos and to see all the places and experiences I’ve been a part of around the city.

In journalism, it’s common to feel the weight of finding a stable career after graduation. I mean, there are so many areas of journalism to explore that I can’t just pick one! Whether it's podcasting, feature writing, photojournalism or investigative reporting, the pressure of choosing one niche and sticking to it can be overwhelming at times.

My goal is to never stop exploring my career options. I hope to try a bunch of different courses and fields of journalism offered at TMU that I enjoy, without limiting my potential! To successfully practice this goal next year, I plan to not let go of my hobbies for the sake of choosing a “safe” career path. I hope to continue building a brand for myself, content creating on my personal platforms, taking part in feature writing courses and learning more about graphic design. 

TMU has a program for everyone, offering opportunities to explore your interests and discover what’s important to you. You can find your perfect fit on our programs page! 

If it weren’t for the opportunities and support I’ve had along the way, I wouldn’t be trying to reach the goals that I have. Thank you for coming along with me this year and for reading about my life as a student, all my favorite things about the city and for joining the interesting conversations I’ve had with other students on campus. It has been a wonderful year and I can’t wait to see what my final year at TMU brings!

Talk to you soon,

Hadiqah