Raven Wilkinson

Why did you choose Creative Industries and which modules did you choose?

I chose Creative Industries because I had many different interests, and the program combined all those interests into one. I chose The Fashion Industry and Professional Communication modules.

How did you start in your career and where are you working now?

I quickly realized I wanted to work in communications, so I started looking for opportunities very early on. I held multiple comms jobs through the Career Boost program, internships I sought out, and our third year program internship requirement. I completed my master’s degree after undergrad, before briefly working at a non-profit organization and then getting a job in internal communications at Amex Canada. In my current role, I help oversee day-to-day communications to colleagues across the business, write and edit blogs and emails, execute quarterly town halls, work on our inclusion & diversity and philanthropy programs, and various other tasks. No two days are the same and I absolutely love it.

How have you applied what you learned in the program to your professional life?

I really appreciated the various types of writing that was required, including social media writing, research reports, traditional essays, and even ethics approval applications. This helped me strengthen my skills, and I was able to apply what I learned to both my master’s program and professional life. Additionally, the amount of groupwork we were required to do has helped me work and communicate effectively with people with different personalities and work styles. So much of what we learned in Creative Industries was transferrable to all sectors, which made it truly invaluable. 

What advice would you give to current Creative Industries students wondering about their professional futures? 

Gain as much experience as you can in as many ways as you can. Whether it’s volunteering at an organization you love, getting involved with a student group, or finding a formal internship, try to cultivate the roles you see yourself in within these spaces so you can hone your skills and really market yourself when applying to full time jobs. At the same time, don’t be discouraged if you’re not quite sure where you see yourself yet. Try new things, take chances, and be open to new opportunities – you never know who you’ll meet or where it’ll take you!