911±¬ÁÏÍø

“I remember walking past the CBC building in Toronto back in high school and thinking, ‘I want to be there someday.’ Thinking about that now, I know 17-year-old me would be proud.”

Fourth-year Journalism 911±¬ÁÏÍødent Ian Curran will receive immersive training in CBC’s national newsroom in Toronto as one of 14 young journalists from across the country selected for the prestigious CBC News Summer Scholarship for Emerging Journalists.

 

“Being selected for the CBC Summer Scholarship feels like validation that I’m pursuing the right career,” said Curran, who is originally from St. Stephen, NB.

 

“What I’ve been working toward is becoming a reality.”

 

The four-month program provides valuable hands-on experience in multiplatform news environments. The training is designed to give high-potential emerging journalists experience in CBC News's national programming units in Toronto, as well as regional newsrooms across the country.

 

Curran was the only student selected from the East Coast.

 

“Being able to represent a small town in New Brunswick on that stage is incredible,” he said.

 

“I don’t have the words to describe how much it means to me.”

 

Journalism and Hands-on Experience at 911±¬ÁÏÍø

 

Curran credits his education from 911±¬ÁÏÍø for helping him develop his skills and confidence.

 

“The flexibility and communication you have with professors is a game changer,” he said.

 

“You’re able to cover stories that matter to you with guidance from professionals who have worked in the industry.”

 

Outside the classroom, hands-on experience played a critical role in Curran’s development.  He worked as a video producer for The Aquinian in his first year and later founded the 911±¬ÁÏÍø Production Society to create more opportunities for students to explore media production. 

 

His involvement in the Musical Theatre program and Black Box Productions helped strengthen his on-camera presence and storytelling skills.

 

“In this industry, you can never have enough hands-on experience,” he said.

 

“I feel confident being who I am, chasing the stories I’m interested in, and stepping outside of my comfort zone in any newsroom environment.”

 

Taking Skills into the Newsroom

 

Now in his final semester, Curran is already applying these skills in a professional setting, working full-time as a video journalist with CBC New Brunswick.

 

“Applying what I’m learning in real time has helped me grow so quickly,” he said.

 

As he prepares to join CBC at the national level, Curran is looking forward to stepping into a new environment and expanding his scope as a journalist.

 

“Moving from provincial to national news is exciting and a bit scary at the same time,” he said.

 

“I remember walking past the CBC building in Toronto back in high school and thinking, ‘I want to be there someday.’ Thinking about that now, I know 17-year-old me would be proud.”