Rick Chung is a 2008 Political Science graduate from UBC and Broadcast Journalism at BCIT. He was CBC News Vancouver’s first social media intern and CBC Radio 3′s Alexis Mazurin Award winner. Rick is currently a writer and social media consultant for Langara College, as well as a noted independent journalist. Rick will be a guest speaker at the upcoming Arts Career Expo.
We asked Rick a few questions about his experiences and career path:
Q: What did you study at UBC?
A: I majored in Political Science at UBC, focusing mostly on International Relations courses and Southeast Asian politics. I had a IR minor going until the last year when I think they changed a few requirements that would have blown up my schedule.
I entered UBC Arts as a pre-Commerce student with the mindset that I would transfer to Commerce after one year. But after a disastrous first year of Commerce courses, I drifted away and considered majoring in Economics before realizing I hated it. The courses I most enjoyed were my Political Science ones which I took as electives. I decided it was more important to study what I wanted and that it would ultimately lead to a better future and career instead of putting career aspirations first before my studies. It was an absolutely great decision I’m grateful I made.
Q: How did your studies at UBC influence your choice of career?
A: What I liked so much about the Arts faculty is that it didn’t necessarily exclude me from a lot of career choices or opportunities. I really liked Political Science because it was a great gateway degree to career paths I was interested in like broadcasting, journalism, law, public relations, writing and such.
I realized how much what I was studying in the International Relations vein was relevant to everyday life. I felt like it gave me the skills to analyze a history that is currently being written. I constantly use the analytical skills I learned at UBC in my continuing studies and career. It gave me a lot of variety and fed my really diverse interests in things as there were Political Science courses for many different subjects that blended well with my other Arts studies.
Q. Did you make use of Career Services while at UBC?
A: I remember checking [the workshop schedule] out and what the topics were. I used the website a lot to look for potential opportunities. Even the online resources about resumes, cover letters, and a lot of other tools. I always found the Career Services department very helpful in navigating my career and studies. It was a great tool I used all the time.
Q. What’s your favourite aspect of your current career? Least favourite?
A: I love the flexibility and constant learning I get to with online broadcasting and journalism. If I have an idea, I can indulge it immediately. I also get to meet a lot of great people and cover some great events. Broadcasting lets me explore and get to know the city and community I love so much.
I guess the job prospects of journalism and broadcasting especially online which is what I am doing is very unknown right now. There are very few large scale models that are successful right now. Everything is changing and traditional media entities are evolving as new ones overtake them.
Q. What career planning or job search advice would you give to current UBC students and recent graduates?
A: I would say that right now you have the opportunity to do what you want and try a lot of different things and make your own opportunities. Everything I have done has been largely self-made with the help of some great connections I have made. Also, by putting myself out there to professionals and being online, people have come to me with a lot of great opportunities. More than ever, students and graduates have the option to let opportunities come to them.
Getting any real experience is very important and necessary to give you perspective, but do what you love and enjoy that you are good at and ultimately, that will lead you to a good career choice for yourself. Learning how to balance your talents and passions is very important.
Watch for more alumni profiles on the Career Services blog. Know someone we should feature? Let us know by adding a comment below or emailing erin.mcinnis@ubc.ca
