Mercedes Gaztambide’s journey from The Creative School to co-hosting CBC Street Cents
As a dynamic content creator and co-host for CBC Street Cents, Journalism alumna Mercedes Gaztambide shares what it’s like to work as a social presenter at CBC and offers advice to the next generation of journalists.
CBC Street Cents Co-host Mercedes Gaztambide
Street Cents (external link, opens in new window) is an iconic Canadian brand and teen show that aired on CBC Television from 1989 to 2006. In 2022, CBC rebooted the long-running show as their first original content series on TikTok. The show’s three hosts teach kids and teens how to spend money wisely through comedic short-form video content.
Bringing comedic journalism to life
As one of three hosts, Gaztambide alongside Anisha Joshi and Creo Walters, create a variety of comedic and journalist short-form video content.
“The role doesn't just satisfy my creative energy, it teaches me something new everyday about finance and the world around me,” she said. “I have loved this experience and I know everything I've learned will propel me into the next phase of my career in television and social media.”
Gaztambide elaborates on how she was right to trust her intuition and highlights her experience working for CBC Street Cents.
“This experience has been nothing short of incredible. I get to work with some of the most intelligent, creative, talented producers and hosts I've ever met. Being surrounded by such an amazingly dedicated team always pushes me to perform at my best, and seeing ideas come out of my brain and onto the screen is absolutely surreal,” she remarks. “The first time I got to work in the CBC Toronto building I squealed in the elevator – and I still smile everytime I walk through the main doors.”
CBC Street Cents Hosts Anisha Joshi, Creo Walters, and Mercedes Gaztambide
Lessons learned in the classroom
As one of the collective faces of Street Cents, Gaztambide opens up about her role as co-host and shares how critical thinking and confidence were the most valuable skills she developed during her time as a Journalism student at The Creative School.
“We spent so much time in class talking about objectivity and staying curious – ensuring that as a journalist, you don't just take facts and information at face value,” said Gaztambide. “You keep researching and asking questions. This process of staying curious has informed not just my work as a host, but also my outlook on life.”
Gaztambide explains how she built her confidence and adopted the concept of 'fake it till you make it' during her time as a student. She also says her “fake confidence” eventually became entirely real and helped pave the way for success in her career journey.
“I remember some of my classmates asking me how I always seemed so sure of myself and I would say: ‘I actually have no idea. I'm just making it up as I go, and acting like I know what I'm doing,’” she states. “With a push from my professors and peers, I went from being a shy first-year student terrified to approach a stranger for a streeter, to being able to talk to hundreds of thousands of people on a livestream.”
Inspiring the next generation of journalists
Journalism at The Creative School (opens in new window) teaches highly sought-after skills and equips students with the ability to understand global issues and become engaged and informed citizens. Reflecting on her time in the program, Gaztambide reveals how story day was one of her most memorable experiences and helped prepare her for her current role at CBC.
“The rush of putting together a piece from scratch in eight hours was not just an exercise, it was preparation for what my days would look like as a host,” she expresses. “Nowadays, when I'm assigned a piece and need to have it polished and uploaded on any random Wednesday, I think about the ethic and drive that was instilled in me during that assignment, and I'm so grateful that I got to practice it. It was a pivotal moment in my journey.”
Before joining CBC Street Cents, Gaztambide worked as a host and reporter at blogTO, where she had the opportunity to host interviews and live shows for various media outlets. She advises students interested in breaking into the industry to never let fear stop you from going above and beyond on a project.
“Even when you're overwhelmed or intimidated by a project that you think is outside of your skillset – don't let fear stop you from putting your all into it. Your nerves are a sign that you care,” said Gaztambide. “Believing that you can and will execute the vision you have will get you to the finish line, one way or the other. Don't be afraid to experiment, and don't be afraid to fail. It only gets easier.”
Mercedes creating content for the CBC Street Cents TikTok. Image courtesy of Mercedes Gaztambide
Check out Mercedes Gaztambide making money stuff make sense on @streetcents (external link, opens in new window) .
The Creative School at Toronto Metropolitan University
The Creative School is a dynamic faculty that is making a difference in new, unexplored ways. Made up of Canada’s top professional schools and transdisciplinary hubs in media, communication, design and cultural industries, The Creative School offers students an unparalleled global experience in the heart of downtown Toronto.