From the Editor: My journey at KPU, never give up on your aspirations
Art by Chelsea Lai
When I first started Kwantlen Polytechnic University in September 2019, I had no idea I would become editor in chief of our student newspaper, The Runner, a few years later.
I visited KPU and The Runner office for the first time in February that year during a campus tour to see if it was the right place for me after I found out I got accepted to the university. I traveled from St. Catharines, Ontario to Abbotsford International Airport where my aunt AJ, who lived in Toronto, picked me up to drive to Surrey as she was doing a theater show in Kamloops at the time. The timing couldn’t have been more perfect.
I was filled with excitement while seeing KPU’s Surrey campus and The Runner office, but also nervousness as I had never done something this big before.
“Is this the right decision for me? What if I don’t end up liking it and I’m so far away from home? What if the people who doubted me think they’re right?” were thoughts that went through my head.
I graduated high school in 2018, and decided to take a gap year as I wasn’t sure what school I wanted to attend. In the meantime, I worked full-time at McDonald’s to save up money for school, but I also needed a break from the routine.
However, not everyone agreed with my decision, with some saying I will never go back to school, that I wouldn’t make it out in B.C. and I’d be back in Ontario within a year. Despite these comments, I didn’t let it stop me as I knew I would go back to school and that I could do anything that I set my mind to. But also, I had a passion for journalism and starting a new life to make something for myself.
I’m not going to lie, I felt nervous when I started at KPU. I had only been in B.C. for two months and basically had to start over — meeting new friends, getting to know the area, transit system, getting used to my new place with my partner, etc.
I was also out of the rhythm of attending school — class schedules, completing homework, and note-taking. Even so, I quickly got back into the routine, but I think taking five classes that semester helped.
It hasn’t always been easy completing my degree. When I told some I am pursuing a journalism degree, I didn’t always receive positive comments. Some people told me that I’ll never get a job in journalism or that they are just teaching you to write a basic sentence. However, I didn’t let those comments stop or affect me as I knew it wasn’t true and I could do it with hard work and determination.
After feeling more comfortable with classes and course work, I began contributing for The Runner in 2021 to practice the skills I learned in my journalism classes. I loved it, and shortly after became community reporter, then managing editor, and now editor in chief.
I have learned so much during my time at The Runner. I covered many interesting topics like the importance of Pride, fast fashion’s environmental impacts, events happening on and off campus, food insecurity, and many articles about the Kwantlen Student Association. I also learned how to navigate situations or conflicts that I never would have learned in the classroom.
Getting involved with The Runner is an experience that is so invaluable, and it really helped prepare me for the “real-world” as I soon start my career. I encourage journalism students to get involved with The Runner — you never know what you’ll learn, what topics you’re interested in, and you gain great experience before you finish school.
I was incredibly shy before contributing to The Runner, and I have gained a lot of confidence improving my interviewing, writing, video, and editing skills through the paper. It’s something you just can’t get from the classroom.
Outside of learning skills, I have met so many long-lasting friends during my time at The Runner and strongly believe we have such a talented team that will continue in the future.
I’ll always hype up The Runner, whether as part of the team or watching from afar. As I write my last editorial, my message is to never give up on your dreams or aspirations, even if people try to tell you otherwise. Moving away from home for school was one of the best things I could have done for myself. It taught me how to be independent, how to budget effectively, manage my time with work and school, plus practice the craft of storytelling through my courses and work.
But also, get involved with The Runner, you never know what you’ll learn and find out what kind of journalist you want to be or what niche topics you want to cover.
Never be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone, it’s how you grow as a person and it may be just what you need.
