Embracing Your Passions to Shape Your Career: TMU Alumni Insights

Make your passion your career at Toronto Metropolitan University’s (TMU) School of Journalism.

(TMU J-SCHOOL/Aliya Karimjee)

By: Aliya Karimjee, Nov. 4, 2022

On Wednesday’s live zoom panel, Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) School of Journalism alumni share how passion fuels success in their careers.

They tell 150 journalism students how they design unique journalistic careers aligned with their passions.

Nicole Brumley, who is a content producer for Cityline and a freelance photographer applied her passion and editorial experiences to establish her career.

“Building those connections and just showing my initiative and interest is what really helped me move forward because afterwards, they created a position for me,” said Brumley.

Similarly, Salmaan Farooqui said his passions have allowed him to explore different journalism pathways. 

Travelling and developing an international portfolio has proved he is willing to relocate for his career and helps him stand out.

“One of the things that I really have always loved about journalism is I’ve always had the opportunity to make it what I want,” said Salmaan Farooqui, TMU graduate and business reporter at the Globe and Mail.

“So the years that I was freelancing, I was really happy because I could choose my work-life balance.” 

The panelists expressed their gratitude for their jobs thanks to their passion leading them to success.

“I feel like I scam the system, and I think to myself, how is this my job? Am I getting paid for this?,” said Jacky Habib, TMU graduate, freelance journalist and communications consultant.

“So I’m very fortunate to have been able to find my way, and I’m self-employed.”

By living a life outside of journalism, through activism or volunteering in her community, she knew she wanted to combine her love for international development with media, guiding her toward the journalism industry.

Passions can be translated into journalism work.

Simran Singh writes to represent her community.

As a 2021 TMU pandemic graduate, she never had the opportunity to have an internship as many got cancelled; however, Singh’s passion did not let this stop her journalism dreams. 

Singh hence persevered and instead did a capstone project reporting at On The Record, used her relationships with other TMU School of Journalism students, and is currently a digital producer at the Walrus.

Networking can play a crucial role in landing a journalism job.  

“Please take advantage of your networks, and by that, I mean if these guest speakers here want to speak with you or anyone you come across within your time at TMU,” said Singh.

Experience, whether at student publications, internships or in the community, contributes to growth and chances to discover passions.

From a TMU journalist to another, Nicole Brumley advises students to “make your path uniquely your own.” So wear your ‘journalist hat’ and let your passions woven into your career.