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For Grads
This area of our website helps our graduates stay in touch and features their accomplishments. Print Futures also has a Facebook group ("Print Futures: Professional Writing").
Missing your program e-news? If you're a grad and you're no longer receiving occasional emails from the program, drop us a line at printfutures@douglas.bc.ca to update your email address.
Writing That Works Joblist
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 Joblist, please send in an update.If you're an employer and would like to recruit a program graduate through the joblist, please send your job posting to printfutures@douglas.bc.ca .
Life After Grad
Want to refresh your grad listing? Please send in an update.Class of 2009
Over in Victoria, Crystal Auffray is a communications specialist with Aviawest Resorts. (July/09)After graduation, Shanley Barbour accepted and began a contract job with the Delta Police Department. She was then hired by the Public Involvement Division of Metro Vancouver. Shanley writes, "I do a lot of editing, layout, and formatting, as well as liaising directly with local political parties and municipalities. I am also getting more training in public relations as I work alongside the communications team and assist in their daily tasks where needed. I'm looking forward to helping organize some events for Metro Vancouver in the fall." (Sept/09)
Liam Britten is editor of The Other Press , Douglas College's student newspaper. (Sept/09)
Leah Giesbrecht writes, "I am working at UBC's Pacific Educational Press. I spend my days doing photo research, writing, and fact checking. I learn something new every day." (Sept/09)
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)
Madeline Kozak (nee Sept) is newly married. Madeline is the communications coordinator for the District of North Vancouver. (Sept/09)
Amanda Lee is an assistant editor with alive magazine. (Sept/09)
James Lee landed a job at Central 1 Credit Union even before he graduated, thanks to the good words from fellow Print Futures grad Angel Desjarlais. Since April 2008, his years of experience in the credit union industry have been put to good use in writing and editing the Online Operations Manual. And best of all, he looks forward to going to work every day. (July/09)
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)
Since graduation, Jason Bosher has been enjoying the life of a freelancer. His connection to the world of the performing arts has provided him with opportunities such as writing and editing for the UBC School of Music and writing and designing promotional material for Scene Ideas Inc. Jason is currently seeking full-time employment as a writer or editor, ideally with a company that seeks a professional with a creative edge. (March/09)
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)
Pamela Findling was hired as communications coordinator for Science World in April 2008, just a few days after the 2008 Portfolio Show. Pamela writes, "I'm in charge of writing or editing all the material that we produce, including the newsletter, annual report, advertising, signage, and web copy. I'm also in charge of media relations and have met lots of really interesting people through that role, including one of my childhood heroes, Jane Goodall. I get quite a kick out of seeing my words on a billboard or knowing that a story made it into the news because of my media release. It's a lot of fun. I love the variety and zaniness of my work." Pamela was awarded the 2009 TELUS Innovator Award at Science World, given to "a rising star within the organization that embodies the quest for continuous improvement, new idea generation and innovative problem solving." She attended the Canadian Association of Science Centres annual conference in Regina in June as a prize. (July/09)
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)
Duncan MacKinnon is a freelance copywriter working in Toronto. (March/09)
Josie Padro is a freelance health and lifestyles writer. (Oct/09)
Nicole Skutelnik writes for Kidzworld.com , an international online community for kids and teens. She's also finished writing her novel. (Feb/09)
Nissa Wells ( www.nissawells.com ) is online editor at Tactics Magazine . Nissa also freelance writes and edits. (Aug/08)
Class of 2007
Where are they now? Employed! Rochelle Blaak is a communications coordinator with the BC College of Dental Surgeons. Rob Klettke is a technical writer with Honeywell Video Systems. Kate Lancaster is communications coordinator for Place des Arts. Over on Vancouver Island, Travis Paterson is a sports reporter with Vic News. Melanie Scott is a development writer with UBC College of Interdisciplinary Studies. In Winnipeg, Christine Simmons Romani is the corporate writer with Tom Powell Design Studio. Writer, editor, and artist Hillary Wood runs her own communications company, Scribe. Julian Worker is an international business analyst with Open Solutions. (March/08)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)
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)
Since 2008, Oriana Evans has been working as a part-time communications consultant with Honeycomb Creative Solutions , a print and web communications firm in Maple Ridge, B.C. Honeycomb Creative develops websites, corporate identity packages, advertising, and other marketing communications for mid-sized businesses. (March/09)
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)
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)
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)
Since July 2008, Gary Lund has worked as 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 , primarily for the automotive-trade magazines Collision Quarterly and Tow Canada . He is also programs co-chair for the BC branch of the Editors' Association of Canada. (March/09)
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)
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)Tessa MacKinnon writes from across the Atlantic, "I've been in Dublin for nearly a year and am happily employed as a technical writer at a software company called FINEOS. I'm also beginning to pursue a career as a freelance travel writer. I recently had my first piece published in the Irish magazine Business & Finance ." (Aug/08)
Colin Miley is now a communications officer with the Homeowner Protection Office. (July/07)
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 now a Certified Structural and Stylistic Editor. Margaret successfully passed her certification tests for the Editors' Association of Canada , becoming one of only five editors in Canada to hold this credential. Congratulations, Margaret. (March/09)
Colleen Smith, in partnership with a colleague, recently won a contract with the Petroleum Human Resources Council of Canada. Colleen will be helping to develop a national strategy and action plan to deal with skilled labour shortages in the petroleum industry through the recruitment of workers from declining industries. She writes, "The labour challenges facing the oil and gas sector are in the headlines every day, so the work has a great sense of immediacy. I get to liaise with stakeholders across the country on a project that will positively affect our skilled labour force. Working with the people and the businesses in these industries is surprisingly creative." Since graduation, Colleen has operated CCLS Communications and worked with clients in a range of sectors including arts and culture, small business, and forestry. (Feb/07)
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
When not having fun with her family, riding her bike, or running, Janice Bennett writes and edits in the health research and aboriginal relations sectors through her company Direct In Print Communications. She also writes a health research column for alive magazine, copywrites for an internationally distributed kids' magazine, and occasionally teaches creative writing. She is co-writing her first book and is ridiculously happy. (Jan/07)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)
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)
Leigh MacKay has completed his long-term contract to write curriculum-development materials for the North American Montessori Center. He's now a technical writer in a writing team at IMC Information Solutions Inc. (Jan/07)
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. He is currently on his third stint at AMEC and his second at NAMC. With AMEC, he has progressed to conducting on-site work in Fort McMurray, Dawson Creek, and the former Soviet republics of Georgia and Azerbaijan. Bryan writes, "Six 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 presents his services through his corporation, Industrial Document Services Inc. ( www.industrialdocs.com ). (March/09)Dawn-Louise McLeod is a full-time editor of distance education materials at Thompson Rivers University, Open Learning, in Kamloops, B.C. She is also halfway through a Master of Distance Education (MDDE) at Athabasca University and almost finished a certificate in teaching English as a second language (TESL) at TRU. (Oct/09)
After graduation, Eileen Velthuis worked as a marketing copywriter for a multimillion-dollar online retailer. She is now the editor for Self-Counsel Press in North Vancouver. (Aug/08)
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, pending publication). (Aug/08)After six years as a technical writer with Burnaby's Xantrex Technology, Rob Hughes accepted an offer from CounterPath Corporation, a VoIP software company in downtown Vancouver. "It was time for a new challenge, and I couldn't pass up the opportunity to learn about an entirely different technology," says Rob. "Working downtown only sweetened the deal!" (Aug/08)
In 2007, Janice Jones completed a year with AnorMED, moving on to Cardiome Pharma as senior quality assurance associate. Janice writes, "Cardiome is another small biotech company located on the UBC campus. The company's lead product, Vernakalant, is a treatment for atrial fibrillation; the oral indication is in late stage trials and the intravenous version is on the cusp of approval. I am very busy implementing quality systems and writing the procedures that support them, as well as reviewing and editing documentation generated by others. I like this sector." (Aug/08)
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)
Class of 2001
James Gates does media relations and communications projects for the Living Oceans Society . (April/09)Stuart Harries is executive editor of alive magazine. (Sept/09)
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)
Class of 2000
Murray Maisey was a technical writer with 3M Touch Systems for five years and has since been on long-term disability leave (Early Onset Parkinson's). He is writing a history of Kirkcaldy, Alberta, his dad's hometown and was recently elected vice-chair of the board of a downtown Vancouver church. (Mar/09)Class of 1999
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. Colleen is updating manuals and writing/facilitating workshops for the Western Bay of Plenty Playcentre Association. (Oct/09)
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
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 Ltd. , 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)
Class of 1996
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
Bonnie Jean Mah balances communications consulting with filmmaking. She specializes in fundraising writing for universities, hospitals, and major non-profits. On the filmmaking front, she's worked on several television projects as writer, director, and/or producer, and has produced short films screened at international festivals. She recently sold her first screenplay, and is currently directing a documentary TV series set to air across North America in 2009. (July/08)Karen Rempel is president of the Canada West Coast chapter of the Society for Technical Communication. 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 . (March/09)
Last updated October 2009