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Mark Dixon and Savant Ross found their career path in the Broadcasting – Radio and Contemporary Media program at Durham College

Graduate Spotlight: Mark Dixon and Savant Ross

The Broadcasting – Radio and Contemporary Media program at Durham College (DC) was a perfect fit for Mark Dixon and Savant Ross.

Though they discovered the program at different times in their lives – Mark changing careers as a mature student and Savant coming directly from high school – they both found everything they were looking for at DC.

As they prepare for Fall Convocation, the soon-to-be graduates spoke to us about their time at DC, everything they’ve learned and what the future has in store for them.

Why did you decide on DC?

Mark Dixon: It was a big decision to go back to school as a mature student. I had been working in a totally unrelated field for over 20 years, but I kept thinking about making a change and was always interested in the world of media and broadcasting. However, it never seemed like the right time, or there was always a reason or excuse to not switch careers. Like many people, I had time to think about my life during the pandemic. During the shutdown, I was working from home at a job that was not enjoyable or fulfilling, and decided it was finally time to try something different. I researched schools, and I liked the Broadcasting program at Durham College the best.

What was your DC experience like?  

Savant Ross: Broadcasting was really fun! I started my program at Durham College in September of 2022 and wasn’t 100% sure what to expect. Coming from high school and doing virtual learning for the most part, I was ready to finally return to an actual classroom environment and get the hands-on experience I’d been waiting for. In my two years at DC, I’ve learned so many valuable things about the field of media and further improved on certain areas that I was already familiar with, like camera/radio equipment and video editing software. I even met some classmates who turned out to be really good friends of mine (you guys know who you are). Even though my time at Durham was short, I was still able to experience a lot of new things.

How did DC help prepare you for your career or the next step on your academic path?

Mark: What I really liked about the program at Durham College was the variety. Many programs at other colleges focus on one specific part of media, like television or radio. At DC, we were introduced to many roles in radio, television, podcasting, newspapers and social media. We had a chance to study writing for various formats, video editing, camera work, audio recording, marketing, and more. The ability to try various positions both behind the scenes and on air was beneficial in figuring out what I enjoyed the most and what kind of jobs I may want in the future. These days it also helps to have a wide variety of skills to offer to a potential employer.

Savant: I entered DC with the hope of preparing myself for a career in sports media. Being able to do weekly newscasts for DC Broadcasting, and putting together live shows specifically aimed at sports recaps and topics is something that will benefit me in the long run. I’ve also learned about professional photography and video capture, which are two things I wasn’t too familiar with and haven’t considered as a career. But after two years of creating on camera news stories, short documentaries, and exploring various methods of photography, I can confidently say that Broadcasting has shown me so many ways that content and professional media is created. During my field placement, I was able to work for a radio station and on a movie set as a PA (Production Assistant). Because of the knowledge I already had from my Broadcasting program at Durham, I was already familiar with some of the things that were going on while filming was taking place.

Would you recommend the Broadcasting – Radio and Contemporary Media program?

Mark: If you are interested in broadcasting and media, the program at Durham College provides a great overview of all the possibilities and allows you to try your hand at many different skills.

Savant: I would say go for it! You’ll definitely learn a skill or two that you were not expecting to learn, and have fun. The two years may seem short but you will learn a lot more than you think.

What do you love most about DC?

Mark: I appreciated that our professors had so much experience working in a wide range of media. They have worked for some of the top radio stations, television networks, and newspapers in Canada. I loved hearing their personal stories about working in the industry. It added a valuable perspective to our lessons. It was a fun learning environment as well, which was a huge bonus. I also loved working with some great classmates. We had a chance to work together on some very cool projects, including documentaries, podcasts, tv shows and a live radio show on DC’s Riot Radio. It was intimidating to return to school at an older age, but everyone was welcoming and supportive. It turns out I was able to learn a lot from my younger classmates as well! It’s beneficial to have different life experiences and viewpoints.

Savant: What I enjoyed most about my time at DC is how beginner-friendly everything is. It really doesn’t matter if you’ve never used a camera before or if you are a pro. This program really is the best for anyone looking to get their foot in the door in the world of any type of media. I also love how easily accessible everything is. The MAD media loans office is always a few steps away from most of my classes if I need any camera or audio equipment.

What are your future goals?

Mark: As I am about to graduate, I am open to a wide range of media jobs. I hope to work behind the scenes in radio, television or podcasting and help create content about interesting subjects, with a focus on entertainment or human-interest stories. I also have a personal goal of starting my own podcast for fun and experience.

Savant: I hope to work for a major sports network like ESPN, Sportsnet, TSN, etc., and be able to have my own show where highlights, big news across leagues, and other topics are covered. I believe my time at Durham have opened doors for me in that field.

What would you like to share with current students or new graduates about the broadcast industry?

Savant: There’s a place for everyone in Broadcasting or any type of media, and as long as you love your job it’ll never feel like work to you!

Every year, DC celebrates thousands of career-ready graduates. Read more grad stories about how DC has helped them thrive.

From co-op to a trip abroad, DC Tourism – Destination Marketing student soaks up experiential learning experiences

Graduate Spotlight: Amanda Morrison

Launching a career in travel and tourism is a childhood dream come true for Durham College (DC) Tourism – Destination Marketing graduate Amanda Morrison.

As she perused programs before applying to college, Morrison knew it was the right fit for her.

“Since I was a child, I have been fascinated by attractions, travel, history, culture and all the incredible things tourism offers people, but never thought I could turn these fascinations and passions into a career,” she said. “I also chose this program with one thing in mind – can I really see myself being in this industry in five, 10 or 15 years?”

Now that she’s graduating, Morrison says the answer is a resounding yes.

“I can confidently say that I can see myself working in this industry and amongst the like-minded people I have met along the way for years to come.”

Morrison explained that DC was an excellent school to learn under industry veterans and gain the skills needed to succeed in the field.

“All of my professors were either currently in the industry or had previously worked within my industry,” she said. “Not only were they able to teach us the course content professionally, but they also provided us with more personal industry knowledge and experience that we wouldn’t have learned without having them as a professor.”

She spent last summer doing a co-op placement at Oshawa’s Canadian Automotive Museum and served as the visitor services assistant.

“I was able to learn how to give tours here and just the overall operations of museums, which is what I like the most – I like working in the attraction aspect of tourism.”

The co-op placement turned into a part-time job for Morrison who continues to work at the museum on weekends.

She was active with the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) student chapter at DC serving as secretary last year and president this year.

That led to a major highlight for her: travelling to San Diego through the Faculty-led Classroom Abroad program. In San Diego, she not only attended the PCMA conference which welcomed more than 3,000 international delegates, she also volunteered at the conference and with the San Diego Tourism Authority, gaining important hands-on experience.

“This was, by far, my favourite experience and I have made lifelong connections and learned new aspects of my industry that I would not have had.”

Looking towards the future, Morrison is hoping to travel through work.

“My biggest future goal is to be a person who can make memories for others through tourism. I would like to be able to work at different attractions and meet new people in the industry who have different ideas from me, as there is much to learn from them.”

Award-winning Police Foundations grad extending her stay at DC

Graduate Spotlight: Maya Austin

Maya Austin has a bright future in policing.

The native of Ajax will cross the stage at Convocation this June as a graduate of Police Foundations. After a summer working full-time as a Student Cadet with York Regional Police, she’ll return to Durham College (DC) this fall to further her education in the Advanced Law Enforcement and Investigations graduate certificate program.

In recognition of her hard work and commitment, she was recently honoured with the Joe Moylan Award of Excellence, given each year to a remarkable Police Foundations graduate from an Ontario college.

With one chapter closing and another soon to begin, Maya sat down with us to discuss her DC experience, serving her community and more.

Have you always wanted to pursue a career in policing?

I always had the idea in the back of my head that that’s what I wanted to do. My dad is a paramedic in Toronto, and he has worked really hard for everything that he has. A lot of his close friends are police officers. Obviously, paramedics and police aren’t the same, but they are in the sense that you get to help people and give back to your community. That was always something that stood out to me.

Why did you decide to study Police Foundations at DC?

I got a call from the rugby coach at Durham College and he asked me to play on his team. I started looking into the different programs at DC and I saw that they had a Police Foundations program. I got a rugby scholarship and ever since I started in that program, I knew that’s where I was meant to be.

Have you enjoyed your DC program?

Honestly, it has exceeded my expectations. It’s been great meeting students with the same goals who are just as driven as I am. It’s been a great environment to be a part of, and I’ve been presented with such great opportunities. Through my placement for my Community Policing class, I’ve been able to volunteer at Back Door Mission in Oshawa, which is a homeless shelter. I’ve been hired on with York Regional Police as a Student Cadet, and I got that opportunity through the program as well.

How has the program prepared you for your career?

Most of my professors have backgrounds in policing, and I think that’s really important because they have the experience to back up the material. They have all those very unique stories that they tell that bring a completely different side to the learning. In terms of preparing me for this Cadet position, I passed the interview with flying colors because of my professors and how well that they prepare each and every single one of their students.

Why did you decide to come back this fall for the Advanced Law Enforcement and Investigations program?

I’ve learned a lot at DC. I have such great memories made through my placement and program, and I wanted another year of having that education, especially the hands-on learning.

What advice do you have for future students in the Police Foundations program?

Give everything your all. Two years ago, I would never have guessed that I’d be where I am today. Every opportunity that my professors provided me with, I just took it and I ran with it. I allowed myself to be a sponge and absorb everything that the teachers were saying. So just completely invest yourself into every aspect of the course.

How do you feel about graduating?

I’m very excited. I’m starting a new chapter, working full-time this summer and also balancing rugby and then school in the fall. It’s going to be challenging, but it’s a challenge that I’m ready for. The last two years have really solidified that this is what I want to do.

What does the Joe Moylan Award of Excellence mean to you?

I was humbled to have been nominated in the first place, so to have actually won the award, I was very happy. Just knowing that all the hard work that I put in over those two years has been recognized is an amazing feeling.

Do you want to serve your community? These programs from DC’s Faculty of Social and Community Services will show you the way.

Cybersecurity student transforms co-op placement into full-time job

Grad spotlight: Melanie Gimoto

For Cybersecurity student Melanie Gimoto, experiential learning opportunities at Durham College (DC) – including a co-op placement – led directly to landing a job in her field upon graduation.

Originally from the Philippines, Gimoto worked as a software developer there before moving to Singapore where she worked as a software engineer and then later as a security assessor.

“That’s where my hunger to understand cybersecurity began,” she said. Gimoto decided to look for a college in Canada, ultimately selecting Durham College’s Cybersecurity (graduate certificate) program.

An honour roll student at DC, Gimoto found the school to be a vibrant and welcoming institution.

“The campus is modern and well-equipped, providing a comfortable and conducive environment for learning,” she said. “The faculty is knowledgeable and approachable, always ready to assist and guide students in their academic journeys.”

She took full advantage of practical opportunities in her program. For example, for a hacking course, she demonstrated the dangers of connecting to unsecured Wi-Fi by simulating a man-in-the-middle attack using a Wi-Fi Pineapple, a device that allows hackers to intercept messages between two parties. She said students at DC get a chance to work on real-world projects through the DC Centre for Cybersecurity Innovation.

“While studying, I was able to acquire a job in the Office of Research Services, Innovation and Entrepreneurship (ORSIE) as a cybersecurity research assistant,” she explains. “It was a really exciting role as we were developing practical solutions for partner companies, even as a student.”

Her co-op placement at CarltonOne Engagement led to a job as a cyber risk analyst.

“The role involves the sophisticated analysis of phishing emails and threat commands and ensuring that potential vulnerabilities are swiftly identified and addressed,” said Gimoto. “In addition, I conduct in-depth risk assessments providing valuable insights into the security landscape and meticulously analyze threat alerts to safeguard the organization’s digital assets and integrity.”

Her advice to students in the cybersecurity program is to look for a community to support them in their learning and she recommends joining professional groups like the Toronto chapter of ISACA, a global association for IT professionals and WiCyS (Women in Cybersecurity).

“Foster a love for learning and you’ll experience continuous growth,” she said. “That’s essential for achieving success in any field where continual learning is of utmost importance, especially in the cybersecurity landscape.”

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Are you ready to start your career in IT? Check out these popular programs offered at DC in the Faculty of Science, Engineering and Information Technology (SEIT):