Ms. Kathy Shong’s Journalism and New Media 11 and 12 class and Mr. Brian Barazzuol’s New Media 10 students went on a field trip to the CBC newsroom in Vancouver to learn about news production as well as what newsrooms may look like. The classes were given a chance to tour different areas of the CBC building as well as talk to reporters. The field trip was an opportunity for aspiring journalists in the New Media classes to learn about what a job in media and news production may look like.
The two classes were split into separate groups during the field trip. Shong’s class was given a tour of the building first; they were able to see the weather room, the reporter’s workplace, and the area where podcasts and radio programs are recorded, and more. Barazzuol’s class started off the field trip by discussing podcasting and their experiences making podcasts for their Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women project they completed in class. The class then had a video presentation from Connie Walker, the host of CBC’s podcast “Finding Cleo,” who went on to answer questions from students. The class also heard from various employees on how the newsroom works as well as the intricacies of live radio broadcasts compared to podcasts; afterwards, they were then given a chance to tour the newsroom.
Several media personalities spoke to Shong’s Journalism and New Media 11/12 class, including Stephan Quinn, Jason Proctor, and Chantelle Bellrichard. Quinn is a host of CBC Radio One’s morning show, “The Early Edition”; he was also previously the host of the afternoon radio show “On The Coast”. Proctor is a reporter for CBC Vancouver and Bellrichard is an associate producer at CBC Vancouver. Quinn and Proctor also have a podcast on CBC.
“Students were excited about journalism and reporting. They realized that the jobs within CBC go far beyond a news anchor, as researching, reporting and technological fields occupied the majority of jobs within the building,” said Barazzuol.
The field trip was an amazing opportunity for Journalism and New Media students to gain an idea of what a job in this field would look like. Students were able to talk to experienced journalists and explore the possibility of a career in journalism and media. Molly MacCormack, a Journalism and New Media 12 student, said she thinks the field trip was very educational and showed the real world of journalism.
“To see real journalists, their working environment, and their everyday tasks really made me understand what the career is like and inspired me to want to pursue it,” said MacCormack. “We always see the news on TV, so it was really cool to see behind the scenes of all the writers, the cameras, the control rooms, etcetera, that makes CBC come together.”
Both teachers said they were glad their students were given such a valuable opportunity and hope their next classes are given the same chance. “I have already made contacts to ensure my next class will get a similar experience in the spring,” said Barazzuol.
