Career Conversations Panel Series:
Discovering Careers in Communications & Public Relations
Thursday, November 10, 2011
5:00–7:00 pm
Harry Crowe Room (Room 109 Atkinson)
In partnership with the Centre for Student Success, Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies.
Sponsored by York University Alumni Relations.
(you must sign up for an account on the system before you will be able to register for any events).
About the Event
Interested in a career in Communications & Public Relations? Want to meet York Alumni and other professionals working in the field?
Connect with professionals currently enjoying careers in Communications & Public Relations and get the inside scoop on what it's really like to work in this field. During this panel professionals will share their personal stories about breaking into the field, how their career paths took them from graduation to where they are now, what knowledge, skills and experience helped them succeed in their jobs and what types of opportunities are available in the field. The panel will be moderated by one of the Career Centre's team members and followed by an open forum where students will have an opportunity to ask the panelists their own questions.
Participating Panelists
Dr. Allan Bonner
President and CEO, Allan Bonner Communications Management
Alumnus: Master of Laws, 2007
I've helped approximately 35,000 senior executives, over twenty years, to deal with some of the most controversial and public issues of our time. I've worked with the military, international diplomats, domestic, central and offshore banks, 11 oil, gas and chemical companies and other blue chip clients on five continents. I've helped 12 heads of government, thirty five cabinet ministers, G7, G8 and UN delegations, the WTO, NATO as well as CEOs and diplomats around the world. I have worked in Hong Kong, Seoul, Tokyo, Bangkok, Beijing, Singapore, Canberra, Budapest, Geneva, Bled, Vienna, most American States, Mexico and all Canadian Provinces.
Edward Fenner
Web Communications & Publications Assistant, York University, Office of the Associate Vice-President International
Freelance Writer/Editor, personal website
Alumnus: BA Professional Writing, 2010
I have known since I was growing up in the 1970s that writing would be my life. Most of my 25-plus years in the business has been in technical communications. Gradually, I explored corporate communications, marketing writing, corporate journalism, and public speaking. Recently, I have re-discovered my creative writing side through writing plays and poetry and acting as an advocate for mature students and adult learning issues. Having a diverse skill set and portfolio is advantageous to any professional communicator and certainly helps me in my many duties at the AVPI's office and private consulting. I am now exploring science writing while I pursue a MA in Science & Technology Studies. Since 2007, I have mentored students at Existere - Journal of Arts and Literature.
Ruth Morayniss
Director, Public Relations, GuestLogix
Alumna: Advanced Leadership Development Program, Schulich School of Business, 2002
My education is a combination of business, marketing/advertising and communications. I have always leveraged my marketing background in my PR roles. When I was in my 20s, I started my own publicity company and the rest is history. From there, I've worked in entertainment, health care, insurance, government, publishing, non-profit and now the exciting technology sector. I always select fields to work that I personally have an interest in.
Robin Smith
2nd Vice-President, York University Staff Association
Alumna: BA, Atkinson, 2000
I have had the good fortune of stumbling along a career path that has led me to and through work that I love. A journey of social activism has led me to a 15 year stint at the Centre for Research on Work and Society, the Labour Centre at York, and eventually to full-time union work. I am currently the 2nd Vice-president of the York University Staff Association. My commitment to equity led me to become licensed as a Lay Chaplain and I officiate many weddings each year, many for same sex couples. I love to document my life experiences and have had a number of fictional and memoir pieces published in recent years.
Leia Toledo
Proposal Coordinator, SNC-Lavalin
Alumna: MA Communication and Culture, 2011
Communications is an intriguing, broad and interdisciplinary field. In order to have a competitive edge in the workplace, take time to explore your options. Once you know what you would like to do, discover where you would like to be, and keep yourself updated. After more than five years working in Marketing Communications, I felt that it was time to upgrade my critical skills. Through my master's degree at York University, I was able to learn about other possibilities, and build up the confidence to pursue my goals. I am convinced that this experience was essential to get my foot in the door of one of the top ten engineering companies in the world. If your path is in Communications, find your own way to succeed in it.
