First-year Digital Communications and Media (DCM) student Jody-Ann Smikle has earned the Troy Reeb Internship thanks to an article she wrote about student financial literacy. Smikle is the 20th recipient of this prestigious award, and only the third first-year student to be selected.
“Financial literacy is dear to my heart,” says Smikle. “I look at young people who struggle to manage their finances and do not understand how it may impact them now and in their future.”
With a background in marketing and finance from her home country of Jamaica, Smikle says she saw the need to bring attention to financial literacy education in high schools. “There are gaps in financial education in high schools that we should be fixing,” Smikle says. “Young people should not have to rely only on their parents to teach them about money; there should be adequate programs in place to support them.”
As this year’s Troy Reeb Internship recipient, Smikle will spend 14 days with Global News and Corus Radio teams in Toronto and Ottawa, and she will work on Parliament Hill with the Ottawa bureau of Global National leading up to, during and following the federal election.
“Usually, I’m not a political person,” admits Smikle, “but I’m excited to see, hear and feel everything unfolding during an election rather than just reading about it.”
“With a keen intellect and infectious personality, Jody-Ann is a standout choice for this year’s internship,” says Troy Reeb, co-CEO of Corus Entertainment. “During the selection process, she demonstrated remarkable poise, confidence and enthusiasm for helping to chart the future of media and communications. We can’t wait to host her and have her work alongside the very best in the business in Toronto and Ottawa.”
Sponsored by Reeb, Lethbridge Polytechnic awards the yearly internship to a DCM student who shows proficiency in journalism and storytelling. Past winners have gone on to achieve great professional success in the media and communications industries.
Smikle, who still has another year before completing her diploma, says she has already found her calling during her brief time in the program.
“I’ve fallen in love with audio production,” she says. “I would love to do a radio show where I can play music, interview interesting people and even start a podcast.”
Regarding the internship, Smikle adds, “I would encourage everyone in DCM, first and second years, to not limit themselves. Get out there, do your best and hope for the best. Put your best foot, face and self forward, and that authenticity will get you through the door.”
Learn more about the Digital Communications and Media program by visiting www.lethpolytech.ca/dcm.