It’s a common story: a graduate of RRC Polytech’s Creative Communications program enters the program expecting their path to go one way. Then something — an instructor, a course, a project — points them somewhere new.

“RRC Polytech basically shaped my life in every way,” says Doug Darling, Creative Communications grad, instructor, and CEO of local video production agency Tripwire Media Group, which has worked with companies like Scotiabank, Tabasco and TikTok.

“As a young adult with a failing music career, I had no idea what I wanted to do. After going into Creative Communications, I found my passion for what would become my creative outlet and career.

“It very much culminated in one project — I had to make a three-minute video montage and I wasn’t taking it too seriously. Through that project, though, I found my calling. I realized that video was the culmination of art, and that editing was my new musicianship.”

Examples like Darling’s are something James Turner, instructor of journalism, photography and photojournalism at RRC Polytech, sees quite a bit across all four of CreComm’s specialization areas.

“Something usually strikes students along the way that triggers their desire to want to pursue that,” says Turner. “I’ve heard of various media production assignments that students have found valuable. For journalism, it’s often Remembrance Day assignments where students understand the human impact of journalism and what it means to put a face to a story.”

After two semesters spent dipping their toes in all areas of communications, CreComm students are given the option to specialize in Journalism, Advertising and Marketing Communications, Public Relations and Communication Management, or Media Production.

Their second year also includes two work placements, where students take the skills they’ve learned throughout the program and apply them in the real world.

Thanks to these hands-on learning opportunities, the passionate instructors, and the success of its graduates, Creative Communications has a local reputation for giving workplaces new employees who can hit the ground running.

“It’s about graduating students who are ready to tackle just about anything in the field of communications,” says Kelly Stifora, Creative Communications program coordinator.

“It’s the breadth of skills they’re exposed to in the program. Our students build strong fundamental writing, project management and organization skills — but then on top of that, they’re exposed to almost every aspect of the communication industry.”

For those studying advertising, this might include creating print and online ads, or working through marketing and data analytics. In public relations, it’s mastering digital and traditional communication channels and learning to work in an environment where social media drives public awareness for day-to-day information. In media production, it’s fundamentals such as writing scripts and production plans — and building from there.

In second-year journalism, which Turner instructs, students are creating real-world resources that go beyond the classroom. Right now, they’re building a resource website to assist voters in Winnipeg’s upcoming municipal election in October 2022.

“They’re working together as a team to create all manner of journalism materials,” says Turner. “Whether it’s explainers, features, podcast stories, things like that. The audience isn’t necessarily news readers, but it’s interested voters who want information heading into the election.”

The pace of the program also lends itself to creating confident graduates. Much like in the communication industry itself, where reaction time and understanding the message are so important, learning a wide variety of topics in a short period of time in the program is a key reason why Stifora believes grads go on to find success.

“You learn to work in a mode where you’re not second guessing yourself,” he says.

“We all experience setbacks and failures in all aspects of life, and we hope that one of the things Creative Communications students are getting from their training here is the ability to get over those moments and put them behind them — solving the problem and moving on to the next task.”

All of this adds up to a program that can take graduates to some pretty interesting places. Take Pablo Hidalgo, for instance. A 1996 alum, Hidalgo began his career at McKim Communications Group in a fairly typical role for a CreComm grad: a copywriter.

At the same time, he was freelancing online for Pennsylvania-based West End Games — the company that developed the first Star Wars role-playing games. Through connections made there, Hidalgo eventually ended up writing and developing content for Lucasfilm starting in 2000. His role there has only expanded since, as he’s now the keeper of the keys for the online Star Wars encyclopedia and is a resource for where the franchise goes in future projects.

Learn more about Hidalgo’s career success.

“There are a lot of careers that are different and interesting,” says Stifora. “Historically, I’ve heard — and I can’t put words in other people’s mouths — people say it was their Creative Communications diploma that opened doors for them or gave them the confidence to pursue things.”

Profile by John Gaudes (Creative Communications, 2012)