Like
For Grads
This area of our website helps our graduates stay in touch and features their accomplishments.
Writing That Works Job List
Print Futures grads can sign up for occasional emails on writing, editing, and related work opportunities. If you're a grad and want to join or leave the Writing That Works Job List, please send in an update.
If you're an employer and would like to recruit a program graduate through the job list, please send your job posting to printfutures@douglas.bc.ca .
Life After Grad
Want to refresh your grad listing or update your email contact info? Please send in an update.
Class of 2011
Nikki Harder is the communications coordinator for Community Futures in Quesnel, and an online editor for Bongarde Media in Penticton. (June/11)
Kennedy Kierans is working for the City of Vancouver's Web Redevelopment Project as a web writer/editor. Two of the content strategists on the team are Print Futures grads Sharon Twiss (Class of 2001) and Sharon Russell. (Sept/11)
Sarah Neeson is a copy editor with the Operations Manual Department at Central 1 Credit Union. Sarah also operates her own business, Neeson Editing and Design. (June/11)
Reija Roberts is a copywriter with KIMBO Design. Reija also does freelance writing and editing (see http://reijaroberts.com ). (June/11)
Knowlton Thomas is associate editor with Techvibes Media. (June/11)
Nancy Tinari is doing freelance projects including document design, editing and website writing. She loves editing just about anything, but specializes in material requiring scientific and mathematical expertise. (Sept/11)
Amy Wood is an editor with alive magazine. (April/11)
Class of 2010
Helen Clay writes, "It's been a busy and surprising year that saw me called back to the shores of England, initially for a three-week stay that turned into six months and ended up with a permanent move back. I'm now living in a delightful Sussex village called Steyning (we pronounce it "Stenning"!), on the south coast of England, near the fun town of Brighton. I'm working as a quality controller for Wake (QA) Ltd., a company that carries out airline safety auditing for IATA. My job involves editing and technical writing, and I'm learning lots about aviation. Much of what I learnt in Print Futures is of great help -- point number one is always "consider the audience," especially when translating notes from ex-pilot auditors who are deeply enmeshed in technical aviation terminology. Detailed proofreading is very important, as I wade my way through long lists of technical manuals, all with very similar abbreviations." (June/11)
October Update: Since May 2011, David Carson has been happily employed as the communications coordinator at the District of North Vancouver. He writes, "What a wonderful experience it's been!" (Oct/11)
In July 2011, Tanya Colledge will wrap up her Bachelor of Arts in Professional Communication at Royal Roads University. Tanya's website is http://www.wix.com/tcolledge/portfolio . (June/11)
Kieron Donovan is a freelance writer. His recent writing includes profiles and feature articles for the online hockey publication Pucklife , and book reviews for subTerrain magazine. Kieron is also working on "the next great Canadian opus," whose working title is There's a House on Fire and I'm in It. (June/11)
Susan Jung is communications coordinator for the City of New Westminster. (June/11)
Romana Osborne is a communications coordinator with Cummins Western Canada. (June/11)
Kim Van Haren is a freelance writer ( www.power2write.com ), working in print and online. Recent projects include writing for Teldon Marketing and OpenFile, and editing a book manuscript. (June/11)
Rebecca Vaughan is a communications assistant with the City of Pitt Meadows. Rebecca is also the marketing coordinator for Ecowest Renovations, and she does freelance writing and social-media consulting on the side. Her website is www.rebeccavaughan.ca . (June/11)
Class of 2009
Crystal Auffray is a sales communication specialist with Air Canada. (March/11)
Cailey Bennett writes, "I've been working as a communications consultant. Working freelance means I get to do everything from editing magazines to designing business cards to writing web copy, fundraising letters, and even TV ads. Every day is a new adventure. Print Futures gave me the know-how and confidence to tackle this varied and challenging profession." (June/11)
Wendy Goubej ( www.beclearconsulting.com ) is kept busy juggling a position as director of communications for the non-profit organization Amazing Discoveries in Delta, B.C., and managing her own business communications consulting firm. Wendy writes, "Print Futures gave me the confidence to market myself as a professional business communicator. I've already had several contracts and have a number on the horizon. In my job at Amazing Discoveries, I've really put to use all the training I've received -- writing marketing material, fundraising letters, manuals, strategic communication plans, website material, and managing a magazine." (July/09)
Kai Jansson began working for Rhino Marketing Inc. (RHINO.ca) in October 2010 as a contractor and joined the staff full-time in January 2011. As a member of Creative Services, he combines his writing and web-design skills to create customer-focused marketing copy and websites that work. In January 2011, he married his long-time girlfriend, Lauren. (Feb/11)
Madeline Kozak (nee Sept) is a communications/event coordinator with the North Vancouver District Public Library. Madeline writes, "Working so close to so many books is definitely a perk of the job." (June/11)
Since December of 2009, Shanley Hutchinson (nee Barbour) has been working as a marketing specialist for Waterplay Solutions Corp., a Kelowna-based company specializing in designing and manufacturing equipment for aquatic play pads. From defining the company's brand standards, writing and designing marketing collateral such as catalogues and magazine advertisements, to planning and executing campaigning and social media strategies, Shanley is heavily involved in all aspects of the company's marketing and communications efforts. On the side, she has also been working as a communications consultant and designer. Shanley writes, "Working freelance gives me the opportunity to really tap into my creative side, and it's fun to be my own boss for a change." (Aug/11)
James Lee is a senior technical writer with the Operations Manual Department at Central 1 Credit Union. (June/11)
Class of 2008
Zinnat Ali is membership administrator for the Surrey Board of Trade. Zinnat writes, "I've just finished working on a membership discount directory which I wrote and designed. I'm also writing pieces for the Surrey Board of Trade publication, Business in Surrey." (March/09)
At Christmas 2010, Jason Bosher shared the good news: he's been hired by Imogo as a company writer. "I start in the new year. Guess how I got it? Networking. I gave someone a card and said if his company ever needed a writer to give me a call. And it happened!" (Dec/10)
Nissa Campbell (nee Wells) has been in her position as online editor at Tactics Magazine since graduating. These days, she also reviews games at toucharcade.com and does a little freelance editing on the side. (June/11)
Angel Desjarlais writes, "I'm still with Central 1 Credit Union, having a blast doing technical writing and editing as well as form design. I'm currently writing parts of our massive department manual." Angel did her work experience with Central 1 and began full-time employment with the organization immediately after graduation. Other Print Futures graduates in her department are Rita Bayer, Janice Everett, and James Lee. (Nov/08)
After two years as the communications coordinator at Science World, Pamela Findling left to try her hand at freelancing. Pamela writes, "Its been a real learning curve, but I'm thoroughly enjoying the variety and challenges of running my own business. I've worked for all types of clients, including realtors, a stationery company, sweetspot.ca, Up! magazine online, and Terasen Gas. (Sept/10)
After graduation, Antoine Giraud accepted a one-year contract with Vtech . The company then offered him a permanent position as the sole technical writer in the Research and Development Division. His job duties include interviewing subject matter experts, writing and editing user manuals and engineering specifications, creating graphics, designing user interfaces, and assisting with writing grant proposals and patent reviews. He also freelances for alive magazine on occasion. (Oct/09)
Writer and musician Laura Kelsey writes, "I'm using the skills learned in Print Futures to run a home-based business called Words & More ( www.wordsmore.com ) while continuing to explore adventures in music ( www.laurakelsey.com ). (June/11)
Duncan MacKinnon is a freelance copywriter working in Toronto. (March/09)
Josie Padro is a freelance health and lifestyles writer. (Oct/09)
Nicole Skutelnik owns and operates a bookstore, writes for Kidzworld.com (an international online community for kids and teens), and works on her two novels. Nicole has also recently begun editing a number of addiction guides for the Lower Mainland. (June/11)
Class of 2007
Rita Bayer writes, "I love my job!" Rita is production coordinator in the Operations Manual Department at Central 1 Credit Union, formerly Credit Union Central of British Columbia, now merged with Credit Union Central of Ontario. Rita's responsibilities include creating and/or updating forms for the credit unions, editing and/or proofreading the rewritten legislative changes to keep the procedures manuals up-to-date, and online publishing. (Aug/08)
Rochelle Blaak is now in her fourth year as communications assistant at the College of Dental Surgeons of B.C. She is also freelancing in her spare time and continually writes in her blog at www.blaaksheep.com . (June/11)
Kathleen Bolton (formerly Konrad) is communications administrator with the Elders' Institute at St. Andrews Hall and still does occasional proofreading for Applied Research and Evaluation Services (ARES) at UBC. (March/09)
Oriana Evans writes, "For the last three years I've been working part-time at Honeycomb Creative, a print and web communications firm in Maple Ridge. The people at Honeycomb are great and have taught me a lot over the last few years." (June/11)
After a bumpy start in her newly chosen field, Racquel Foran is thrilled to finally be able to call herself a paid professional. As assistant editor with BC Outdoors Magazine (BCO), Racquel relies heavily on the lessons learned in Print Futures. She's now editing articles, coordinating editorial schedules, designing the magazine layout, and writing cover lines, photo captions, titles, and decks. In addition to her full-time work with BCO, Racquel is a regular contributor to a number of Coquitlam Now supplement publications, including Business NOW , Healthwise , and LOOK magazine. (March/09)
Rob Klettke is now in his fourth year as a technical writer with Honeywell Video Systems. (June/11)
Kate Lancaster is communications coordinator for Place des Arts in Port Coquitlam. (March/08)
Travis Paterson is a sports reporter for Saanich-Victoria-Oak Bay and a community news reporter for Saanich News . Travis writes, "Same same. I'm on year four. Still working on it's/its ." (June/11)
Christine Simmons Romani is back in school, pursuing a degree: Royal Roads University, Bachelor of Arts in Professional Communication, grad 2012. Christine writes, "I still work part time at Tom Powell Design Studio ( www.tompowelldesign.com ) as office assistant, proofreader, and a company representative on the Advertising Association of Winnipeg Signature Awards Committee. Since 2008, my annual involvement with the Signature Awards Committee ( www.signatureawards.ca ) has expanded to include sourcing international judges, working with the audio/video production team, coordinating entrants, sourcing sponsors, creating the gala script, promotions and advertising, organizing sub-committees, and more." (June/11)
Christine Rowlands ( www.christinerowlands.com ) is a freelance writer and editor for magazines and websites. Christine most recently proofread the official reports for the Frank Paul Inquiry and the Braidwood Inquiry. (Oct/09)
Sheila Satel continues to freelance through her company, My 2 Bitz Communications . She also maintains a blog . Sheila writes, "June 10, 2008, saw the release of my self-published book, Louis L'Amour: A Collector's Bibliography The book is available through www.lulu.com or my website." (March/09)
Melanie Scott is the advocacy coordinator/writer for the North Shore Schizophrenia Society. Melanie's position will evolve to include media relations work, social networking, and website development. First up is drafting a training manual/reference guide for volunteer support workers who deal with families whose loved ones are living with major mental illnesses. Melanie is also writing for Vancouver Review , collaborating with grad Rob Klettke on a regular feature: humorous Bingo cards. (Aug/11)
Writer, editor, and artist Hillary Wood runs her own communications company, Scribe. (March/08)
Julian Worker is an international business analyst with Open Solutions. (March/08)
Sara Yuristy writes, "I'd like to share some exciting news: I was just promoted to the marketing communications coordinator for Choices Markets. I'm now in charge of our monthly newsletter, events, and donations. I'm thrilled to finally be able to get my mitts on our newsletter! It's going to be a challenge, but I'm ready for it." (Aug/08)
Class of 2006
Freelance magazine writer Chloe Crowson published locally with Vancouver Magazine , Vancouver Bride , and Orange Life . She also served as assistant editor of the cruiseship publication Deckchair Magazine and edited for the Canadian Tourism Commission and Dunn Public Relations. Chloe now writes and edits freelance in New York, "where the writing world is more competitive than I ever knew it could be. It's an experience." (April/08)
Lynne Graham is executive director of the Prince Rupert and District Chamber of Commerce and manager of the community's Visitor Centre. Lynne writes, "The job is often extraordinarily interesting. I meet fascinating people, and I'm using every single course we studied in Print Futures, though I'm neither a writer nor an editor." (March/08)
Amanda Grondahl is a full-time, freelance writer/editor based in Vancouver, B.C. (Sept/09)
Jennifer Hepburn works at the Legal Services Society of British Columbia as a technical writer and editor. (March/09)
While finishing her associate degree in creative writing at Langara, Lisa Le Blanc is freelancing and continues to work on Mensa's newsletter . (April/08)
Gary Lund is a technical writer and editor at the British Columbia Institute of Technology. Gary helps rewrite BCIT policies and procedures, converting them to plain language and editing them for clarity. Gary also works as a freelance writer and editor, writing primarily for the automotive-trade magazines Collision Quarterly and Tow Canada . He provides periodic rants and commentary for EAC-BC's newsletter, West Coast Editor . Now with newly minted certificates from VCC for teaching and tutoring ESL students, he's ready to further diversify into that field. (Aug/11)
Karla Olson writes, "Yesterday, Sunday, July 24, was the official launch of the 205-page teacher's guide I wrote, For Peat's Sake: A Complete Classroom Study on Burns Bog and Other Peatlands. The guide explores the plants, animals, and science of Canada's most important ecosystems, using Burns Bog as a prime example. It contains Canadian content, lesson plan suggestions and tips, photocopiable reading materials and cross-curriculum activities, kid-friendly illustrations, and 15 pages of references. And to help kids see the people behind the work, it includes quotes from local and international scientists and organizations. In addition, there is a reader's version, For Peat's Sake: The Story of Burns Bog and Other Peatlands , which includes all the articles of the classroom book, minus the references, activities, and teacher's info.
"Both books are illustrated by Nicole Skutelnik, a 2008 Print Futures grad. They include her illustrations from her previous children's storybooks, Boglin Gets Lost and Boglin and the Birthday Party , which she illustrated and co-wrote with classmate Pamela Finding." (July/11)
Ronica Prasad is the communications administrator at Rogers Group Financial, a financial-planning company in Kitsilano. Ronica writes, " I would have never seen myself as thriving in corporate communications, but I enjoy it and am using my skills in new ways every day. I work on the newsletter, maintain the intranet/Internet, and generally carry out the company's marketing initiatives. Thanks for everything that Print Futures taught me; I feel that the practical experience I received at Douglas is invaluable to my work today." (Aug/08)
Bianca Pyle completed her Bachelor of Arts in Applied Communication at Royal Roads University, worked with the federal Department of Veterans Affairs in Victoria, and has just accepted a position with the provincial Ministry of Employment and Income Assistance in Powell River. Bianca writes: "This is my chance to put my writing and communication skills to extremely good use and help people who are in need." (April/08)
Vanessa Simpson is a publications specialist/trainer in Douglas College's Centre for Educational and Information Technology. Vanessa writes, "What have I been up to lately? I am currently enrolled at the University of Leicester in the United Kingdom as a student in the New Media and Society Master's program. I will complete the program in 2012. Recently, I was in Nelson, B.C., presenting at an ETUG conference which was webstreamed live across the province. I was also the communication coordinator for IT4BC 2011, an information technology conference. Lastly, I found some time this year to volunteer with Scouts Canada as an assistant deputy council commissioner for training in the Fraser Valley." (June/11)
Heidi Turner has been a full-time freelancer since graduation. Heidi writes, "I've been published by the CBC, Special Families Magazine , Cloverleaf Country Magazine , Fraser Valley Pulse , and Metro Vancouver Pulse . I've also done work for Access Justice and The Conference Publishers and write regularly for Lawyers and Settlements ." Heidi was recently elected regional director of the Professional Writers Association of Canada (PWAC) B.C. Region. She also serves on the PWAC National Membership Committee and is the membership coordinator fo the Vancouver Chapter. Heidi's website is www.heiditurner.ca , and she writes a blog called The Happy Freelancer . (June/11)
Vince Yim bounced around doing customized layouts for Teldon Marketing, preparing graphic design for A&B Sound, and writing for Mercer Advisors before landing at alive magazine in 2007. He started out as a contract desktop publisher and carved out a niche for himself as a full-time digital content coordinator, doing digital work on the magazine and website, as well as the Teldon's online natural health courses. Vince continues to write, having already written several articles for alive , with the next one to see print in the September 2011 issue. (June/11)
Class of 2005
Barbara K. Adamski ( www.barbadamski.com ) recently completed a plain-language edit and proofread for a Virtual Museum of Canada exhibit, www.botanyjohn.org . The interactive project, spearheaded by the UBC Botanical Garden, details the life and work of enviromental folk hero John "Botany John" Davidson. Barb also wrote the copy for the brochure promoting the website. (March/08)
October Update: Dana Bidnall is communications coordinator with the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board, a professional association of realtors that live and work in the Fraser Valley. In 2012, she expects to complete an Associate of Arts Degree with a specialization in creative writing, a credential she started a number of years before entering Print Futures. Find Dana's poetry in the most recent edition of Pearls, the Douglas College creative writing student publication. Dana is also a director on the board of the Douglas College Alumni Association. (Oct/11)
October Update: Tessa MacKinnon gets around. She writes, "After a couple of years in Dublin, Ireland, working as a technical writer, fate, luck, coincidence, and the economic recession conspired, resulting in me leaving Ireland, spending five wonderful months travelling around Europe, and landing in Manila, Philippines, for a six-month contract doing both documentation and training work. This experience awakened a desire to transition my career more into the training space, and since I returned to Vancouver in June of 2010, I've been working as a freelance tech writer and corporate software trainer. These two vocations complement each other well. They satisfy my need to write and satisfy my extroverted personality!" (Oct/11)
Colin Miley is a communications adviser at Coast Capital Savings Credit Union, doing executive speeches, leading communications for large projects, and other internal and external communications. (June/11)
Kelly Parry is a director on the board of the Douglas College Alumni Association. She will help support the marketing and promotion of alumni programs, scholarships, and benefits. Kelly is currently a writer/media specialist in the Communications and Marketing Office at Douglas College. (July/07)
Since graduation, Laura Schneider has worked in the film and television industry. She's worked as graphic designer for the series Painkiller Jane , as well as art director for an episode, and as assistant property master for Aliens in America , Samurai Girl , and Scooby Do: In the Beginning . Laura writes, "Working in the Art Department may seem an unusual choice to pursue as a writer. But the challenges of everyday communication and understanding language are here, too. Not a day goes by when I haven't been grateful for the training provided in Print Futures." (Aug/08)
Margaret Shaw is a writer and editor, with a focus on technical and scientific subjects. (June/11)
After working as an independent communications consultant primarily on a national strategy and action plan for skilled labour shortages in the petroleum industry, Colleen Smith now works as a communications coordinator with the City of Coquitlam. She has been there for two-and-a-half years working on a variety of high profile projects like the renovation and rebuild of the Poirier Sport and Leisure Complex. As the lead communicator responsible for liaising between the construction company, community stakeholders, and the City, Colleen relied heavily on all the skills learned in Print Futures. "Every course in our program taught me relevant skills to mitigate issues with our comunity stakeholders and to develop effective communication tools throughout the two-year project." Colleen continues: "Working for a municipality is fast-paced and immediate -- almost everything I work on has a direct impact in the community -- it's exciting. Whether it's an emergency shelter for the homeless, a road construction project, a tree-planting program, or redeveloping our city website, this work is exactly what I had in mind when I chose Print Futures." (March/11)
Jeff Taylor divides his work week as a technical writer under contract for the BC Safety Authority and as a communications officer for the non-profit H.R. MacMillan Space Centre. "Everything from writing procedures to designing business ads, it's been like a smorgasbord," says a grateful Jeff. "Whenever I can clear off the plate, you'll see Print Futures stamped all over it." (Oct/09)
Class of 2004
Amanda Aikman is now the mother of a wonderful two-year-old son and works from home as a content editor for RedFlagDeals.com. (June/11)
Janice Bennett is a marketing specialist with Vaisala Canada's Life Science and High Technology segment. Print Futures was the ideal preparation for this position, which involves writing, editing, design, digital marketing, communications, and project management. Janice has been in her current position in marketing since 2007, after several contract copywriting and technical-writing positions with companies that included DDB Canada, BC Hydro, and Business Objects. Her work (both as author and as editor) has been published in multiple trade publications and magazines, including The Journal of Validation Technology (editor), Cal Lab Magazine (editor), alive magazine (author), Fit Canada (author), Adventurous Magazine (author), and Canadian Living (author). (June/11)
Since graduation, Kerry Campbell (nee Evans) has married, bought a house, and had two babies. Kerry is currently freelancing and holds some permanent contracts with Dawson Bradley Waterproofing Inc. (as manager of operations) and the Emergency Social Services Association (as program support). (June/11)
Since summer 2003, Jeff Dhillon has been happily employed at Honeywell Video Systems, first as a work-experience intern, then a technical writer, and now as an intermediate technical writer. (Aug/08)
Sports writer Stephen Drake is the author of The Vancouver Canucks , Weird Facts About Golf , Weird Facts About Canadian Football , and Great Canadian Golfers , all available through Lone Pine Publishing. (June/11)
Leigh Hale recently finished a contract with ICBC as communications lead on a number of large corporate projects and initiatives. In June, Leigh gave birth to her first child, a little girl. Leigh writes, "Life is great for me. I'm very busy being a new mum, taking accreditation courses, and networking. Being a communications consultant affords me more flexibility, and right now my main priority is raising my beautiful daughter." Leigh plans to return to communications consulting in 2009, expanding her practice to include change management and executive coaching. She still maintains her freelance website and adds, "Communications and change management are very closely linked, and I've become increasingly interested in the latter and its importance in creating an engaged workforce." (Aug/08)
October Update: Theresa Laviolette has been the in-house editor for Hancock House Publishing for the past six years. She has also undertaken a variety of freelance writing and editing projects. (Oct/11)
In May 2011, Leigh MacKay successfully completed a six-month contract with BC Hydro. He has since accepted a one-year extension to his full-time position as a consulting documentation specialist/technical editor working in BC Hydro's corporate offices on Dunsmuir with the option to work from home via cloud computing. Leigh credits his current position to his decision to take Print Futures at Douglas College. His practicum at BC Biomedical Laboratories laid the foundation for the type of work he does today. Leigh also holds an open contract with IMC Information Solutions as a technical editor, consulting for corporations and academic institutions, as his time permits. (June/11)
After just shy of three years writing workplace safety material with Bongarde Media, Ted Morrison got hit by the economic downturn and was laid off in January 2009. Now he's focusing on fiction work and exploring freelance opportunities. (March/09)
Class of 2003
Bryan Johnson has worked at AMEC, ACL Services Ltd., Business Objects, and North American Montessori Center (NAMC). These positions have allowed him to write about and edit topics as diverse as floating oil-production platforms, financial accounting and business intelligence software, and child development. After working for AMEC as a contractor for eight years, he became an employee in late 2010. His work with AMEC has taken him to Fort McMurray, Dawson Creek, and the former Soviet republics of Georgia and Azerbaijan. More important, Bryan is now taking on project management duties on contracts for clients such as ExxonMobil. Bryan writes, "Eight years after graduation, my job prospects, income, and lifestyle are as good as I could have hoped for -- actually better, because I didn't dare hope for so much." Bryan works for his other clients through his corporation, Industrial Document Services Inc. ( www.industrialdocs.com ). (June/11)
Michelle Juurlink writes, "I've been teaching EAP (English for Academic Purposes) at Acadia University in Wolfville, Nova Scotia, for about five years. Last year I taught at an international school in Japan as an ESL teacher, and this fall I will travel to Tanzania to volunteer and teach English in a Masai village for four months." (June/11)
October Update: Dawn-Louise McLeod is an editor at Thompson Rivers University, Open Learning, where she has worked since 2004. In addition to a Bachelor of Arts in English (UBC), she has a Teaching English as a Second Language certificate (TRU) and is completing a Master of Education (TRU). Her interests are in new media, applied technologies, and instructional design in e-learning. In helping to develop distance education courses, she uses the technical writing and editing skills learned in Print Futures. (Oct/11)
October Update: After graduation, Eileen Velthuis worked as a marketing copywriter for a multimillion-dollar online retailer. She is now managing editor at Self-Counsel Press in North Vancouver, and freelance writes and edits for various clients. (Oct/11)
Class of 2002
Writer and editor Jenn Farrell is the author of two books: Sugar Bush and Other Stories (Anvil, 2006) and The Devil You Know (Anvil, 2010). (Aug/10)
Tanya Howe has some publishing news. Tanya writes, "I'm publishing my first book, Start & Run a Tattoo and Body Piercing Studio . I've always loved tattoos and wanted to know the 'behind the scenes' of the industry. I teamed up with a business owner who was willing to co-write the book with me. I prepared the table of contents, book proposal, and then contacted Self-Counsel Press with my idea. Thanks go to managing editor Eileen Velthuis (another Print Futures grad) for proposing my book to the SCP team. Eileen also did a fine editing job on my book." Tanya acknowledges the influence of former editing instructor Suzanne Bastedo : "Suzanne inspired me to become an editor. I'm still freelancing for legal and business books. And another big thanks goes to Print Futures for helping me realize my dreams." (Feb/11)
Rob Hughes is a full-time technical writer with VTech Technologies Canada Ltd. Rob also copy-edits Event magazine and volunteers with the Canada West Coast Chapter of the Society for Technical Communication. In 2011-12, he'll be scholarship coordinator and secretary. (June/11)
Janice Jones writes, "I am looking for new opportunities after completing almost two years as senior QA associate at Tekmira Pharmaceuticals." (June/11)
Henrieta Paukov just completed her Bachelor of Professional Arts in Communication Studies at Athabasca University. Henrieta writes, "I used my Print Futures credits to get into the program and have chipped away at it for the last nine years. I am still the Communications Coordinator with the Anglican Diocese of Toronto." (July/11)
Moving on after six years at the helm of alive magazine, Terry-Lynn Stone is executive director of the Kamloops Brain Injury Association. (Sept/09)
Patrick Witwicki worked as a journalist in Prince Rupert for much of the last decade. Pat writes, "I'm now the executive director for AFFNO (Association des Francophones et Francophiles du Nord-Ouest), which, as you can imagine, has me writing (and speaking) in both French and English." (June/11)
Class of 2001
October Update: Kevin Chew is a senior technical writer at Accenture CAS GmbH (Accenture Software) in Kaiserslautern, Germany. (Oct/11)
James Gates does media relations and communications projects for the Living Oceans Society . (April/09)
October Update: Stuart Harries is editor-in-chief of alive magazine. (Oct/11)
Briana Tomkinson is a marketing strategist with Cossette Communication, specializing in social media. In 2008 she founded the community weblog Tenth to the Fraser , a passionately local weblog about life in New Westminster. (Oct/09)
Since graduating from Print Futures, John Vigna celebrates his 10th year as a freelance advertising copywriter. He completed an MFA at UBC, and now teaches in Print Futures and Creative Writing at Douglas College and in Communications at the University of the Fraser Valley. (Sept/11)
Class of 2000
Murray Maisey worked for 3M for a number of years as technical writer until accepting disability leave in 2006. Recently, he has been volunteering with archival/history work for First Baptist Church in Vancouver in anticipation of the 125th anniversary of FBC in 2012. He also continues to develop his photography skill. (June/11)
Class of 1999
Jaclyn Bower is the events and communications coordinator for the Greater Langley Chamber of Commerce. (June/11)
Zac Goodman works in Langley as a digital supervisor at DSA Media where he manages online campaigns, social media, and web development. He also does some freelance graphic and web design as ZAGO Creative Inc. (June/11)
Hamish Knox is an account executive and product specialist (Western Canada) for CNW Group , Canada's leading communications services provider. On August 22, he will complete a Bachelor of Commerce in Entrepreneurial Management from Royal Roads University. Hamish sat on the executive board of the Calgary chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) for two years, during which IABC/Calgary won International Chapter of the Year. Hamish recently joined an IABC International Resarch Committee that will examine current and future trends affecting the communications profession. (Aug/08)
Colleen Welch lives in New Zealand and is the editor of the Playcentre Journal . (June/11)
Class of 1998
Technical writer and stand-up comic Marlene Swidzinski won second prize in the contest Funniest Comic With a Day Job. Marlene also recently joined the engineering company AMEC as an editor. (Sept/09)Class of 1997
Jen Arbo is the co-owner of a local boutique marketing consultancy, Hyack Interactive (along with Class of 2001 graduate Briana Tomkinson ), and the operations manager for the Royal City Farmers Market . Jen lives in New Westminster with her husband and three-year-old boy. (June/11)
After close to a decade of writing the Backroad Mapbook series, Trent Ernst is now writing the series nearly full-time, which means "they now let me have business cards." He is closing in on 20 titles under his belt as writer or editor. Trent lives in Tumbler Ridge, B.C., with his wife and two daughters. You may hear him every once in a while on CBC Radio, where he serves as the community reporter for BC Almanac . For fun, he writes about Apple Computer and the Canadian Connection at www.macanuck.ca . With the rest of his time, he runs Eye for Detail Photography , a small photo studio that "isn't really print future-y, but it is a lot of fun." (Aug/08)
Jessica Fish is currently freelancing, again, as a graphic designer and writer after a brief stint at the Liquor Distribution Branch (as a graphic designer and writer). She has worked for Rethink Advertising and Orca Bay, and has also upgraded her education with a graduate degree in English literature from the University of Victoria. Mostly, she likes to freelance from the comforts of her home while her little boy roams around saying, "Hello!" (March/09)
Arthur Hanks is in his fifth year as executive director of the Canadian Hemp Trade Alliance , a national association of farmers, processors, and marketers. He also is editor of the revamped Organic Lifestyles magazine. New website are in the works for both. Arthur writes, "Working for the mag takes me back to my Douglas College Other Press roots, so it's rather fun. And it's refreshing to go back to conducting interviews and not being the subject of them." (Oct/07)
Tamara Johnston (nee Shewchuk) is marketing manager at Canada Wide Media , the largest independent publisher of magazines, books, and corporate communications in Western Canada. She loves working in an industry that combines her career and her passion for magazines. (Sept/09)
October Update: Ron Kearse is finishing up a year-long graphic design program at BCIT to add to his writing skills. (Oct/11)
After starting out as a contract writer, Caroline McClurg became the solo technical writer at Silent Witness. After Silent Witness was acquired late in 2004 by Honeywell International Inc., she took on the responsibility for leading the documentation team for the Video Systems group. (June/11)
Class of 1996
Judy Cupskey has done graphic design, proofing, and printer liaison for B&C List since graduation. Judy also has two grandsons. (June/11)
Donna Dykeman is director of communications for the Women's Health Research Institute, Provincial Health Services Authority. Based at B.C. Children's and Women's Hospital & Health Centre, Donna writes, "I'm the communications lead for women's health research across the province. It's a great job. I work with smart and committed people, on a complex subject matter and system, and in a high-need and budget-challenged environment." (Aug/08)
Class of 1995
What's it like being communication coordinator for Cochrane, Alberta? "Great fun!" writes Laurie Drukier . "It's like being a press secretary some days (advising the mayor and town councillors on PR and media relations), a cheerleader on others (coaching all levels of staff on key messages and media relations), and marketing consultants on others (working with recreation, culture, and social service areas to promote programs and events.) We have two local papers, and it's my job/occasional juggling act to keep them informed and to place paid advertising." Laurie's proudest moment on the job? After she skilfully handled tough questions on her communications strategy for the town, one of those local papers complimented her. She's now "Cochrane's Guru of Communications." (Aug/08)
Class of 1993
Karen Rempel was president of the Canada West Coast chapter of the Society for Technical Communication (2008-2009). A technical writer since graduation, Karen became an independent consultant in 1995. She also recently completed a master's degree in ecopsychology. She blogs about vision quests and other programs that she teaches at her wilderness retreat centre at www.monkeyvalleyretreat.com . Check out her technical writing website at www.karenrempel.com . This site also has information about the Yoga for the Office class she teaches. Bring this workshop to your workplace to ease the strain from working at a computer all day! (Jan/10)
Last updated October 2011
