I remember crowding into the stuffy High School gym to write my first exam, Grade 9 math. Seven years ago, and I remember frantically plugging away on my calculator, unsure and unmotivated; thinking, “OMG - will I have to take math for the rest of my life?”

Thankfully, no, the only time I use a calculator is the one on my Blackberry, which I use to add up my personal expenses. I left High School math, and all the square roots that came along with it, behind in that stuffy old gym. I now enjoy plugging away on my Mac Pro laptop, browsing the net and playing with various Web 2.0 tools and networks such as Twitter, Flickr, Digg, MySpace, and, the ever addicting, Facebook.

It’s this enjoyment, passion, and pursuit of mine, which has led me to achieve media related roles such as interning at MySpace Canada, business solution marketing at Rogers, and online social media marketing for a gaming company, GotGame, based in San Francisco. This train of valuable and knowledgeable experience stems from my path to University.  

I latched onto media in Grade 12, my last year of High School, when I took a strong liking to an advertising project in my English class. Suddenly, in the light of media, my strong creative and communication skills took flight in both a theoretical and analytical way, no calculator required.

In the midst of exploring my newborn passion, I learned that The University of Western Ontario offered a media studies program, Media Information Technoculture (MIT). MIT specialized in an array of subjects ranging from Entertainment Journalism, Matters of Technology, to Women Portrayed in Media. Hallelujah, I found my calling.

Once the tedious, and rather nerve racking, University application process began, I made it my sole mission to enroll and become accepted into the MIT program at Western University.

Mission accomplished; I’ve now graduated from The University of Western Ontario and my diploma - BA Major in Media, Information, Technoculture - is proudly framed up against my wall.  

As a new graduate, I am thankful that my program helped to cater my strengths, weaknesses, likes, and dislikes pertaining to the work world. Studying the various disciplines of media and technology has given me not only the knowledge, but also the confidence to work at innovative companies such as MySpace Canada and Rogers Business Solutions.

The world is full of endless possibilities, and it's for you to discover. Good luck!

Jessica