Tashon Ziara

Tashon Ziara decided to aim high. Finishing her first year of the Print Futures: Professional Writing Program, she needed to find a work experience position for the program. She approached the Director of Communications at the Vancouver Board of Trade, and hasn't looked back.

The Board of Trade proved to be a great networking opportunity for Ziara. "Because it's member-based, you meet all types of people who need and can afford to hire writers and editors." Ziara continued to work for the organization in her second year of the Print Futures Program. Six years later, the Board is her biggest client as a freelance writer/editor and she has landed numerous other contacts through connections she made there.

"Many people are interested in becoming freelance writers, but few manage to make a go of it," says Maureen Nicholson, the Print Futures Program Coordinator. "There are lots of challenges along the way - personal and professional. Our students develop a realistic understanding of the demands of freelance writing. Some grads decide they'd rather have a regular paycheque and land in-house jobs as writers, editors, researchers and designers. Others, like Tashon, thrive on the variety and flexibility of freelancing."

Ziara strives to do a really good job with every project she gets. "If a prospective client has a deadline and they just haven't got it together, you can help them, and they'll remember that," she says. "And I always ask them to pass my card along if they know of anyone else who needs a writer."

Board of Trade Member Graem Castell hired her to edit his book called Earthquake: Preparing for the big one. Ziara has also interviewed several well-known Vancouverites. "We did a series on the Pioneers of Innovation for The Board of Trade Governors' Banquet," she says. "I interviewed people like Jeffrey Ballard, the founder of Ballard Power Systems, and Dr. Julia Levy, the founder of QLT PhotoTherapeutics. They were some of the biggest innovative minds in the Lower Mainland and I got to call them up and chat with them about their lives. It was amazing."

She has come a long way from her first writing job, composing obituaries for a funeral home.

"Print Futures was two very challenging years of school," says Ziara, who was attracted to the Program for its practicality. "Professional readiness is a really important part of the program. They help you get your resume into shape and decide how to market yourself. And you do projects with real organizations, that require research and get feedback."

Nicholson says the Program creates highly skilled writers and editors with design and production skills to match. "We don't just teach," she says. "We encourage our students to be proactive about opportunities. Right from the get-go, we urge them to keep one eye focused firmly on what they are going to do when they graduate."

Ziara was impressed that many of her instructors were working in the field. "Calvin Wharton, who teaches magazine writing, writes stories and gets them published. Colin Moorhouse, who teaches professional readiness, is a speech writer. All of these people have industry contacts. They bring in real writers, editors and public relations professionals to share their expertise with students."

Ziara feels her life experience - she has also worked in social services, financial planning and offshore banking - helped make her a better writer. "I've written all my life. I was the editor of my high school newspaper in Northern BC, but I never imagined I could make a living as a writer."

Now Ziara doesn't have to imagine. Thanks to Print Futures, she is a successful freelancer with a client list that includes Canada Wide Publisher Peter Legge, the Spirit of Vancouver and more. She has also teamed up with another Print Futures graduate, Cathy Brannen, to launch a business called Text Appeal, which offers writing, editing and publication consulting services.

"I get to stay home with my kids," says Ziara, who lives in Anmore with her two sons. "I don't have to wear nylons and pointy shoes. I save on commuting and I can write in the middle of the night if I like. My clients don't care as long as I meet my deadlines and deliver a professional product."

To learn more about the Print Futures: Professional Writing Program , attend an information session in room 1614 at the New Westminster Campus (700 Royal Avenue, one block north of the New Westminster SkyTrain station) on Thursday, January 22 at 5pm, Thursday, February 26 at 5pm or Monday March 29 at 5pm. For more information, please call Maureen Nicholson, the Print Futures: Professional Writing Program Coordinator, at 604-527-5292 or e-mail printfutures@douglas.bc.ca.

The Print Futures Program is also hosting its annual Portfolio Show , displaying work of this year's graduating class, on Wednesday April 7 from 5 to 7pm in the Amelia Douglas Gallery. Anyone is welcome to attend.

Hear from other graduates of the Print Futures: Professional Writing Program: Sharon Twiss and John Vigna.