Two RRC Polytech grads were recently honoured for work in their respective journalism careers.

Gabrielle Piché and Austin Grabish are both graduates of the College’s Creative Communications (CreComm) program, which many in the industry point to as the launching pad for their careers.

Piché (2020), a reporter for the Winnipeg Free Press, was one of two recipients of this year’s Hon. Edward Goff Memorial Prize for Young Canadian Journalists from News Media Canada. The award recognizes her as a top young journalist in the country, something she attributes to her college training and early work experience.

“Before entering CreComm, I didn’t know how to write a proper news article,” says Piché (shown above). “The program provided robust journalism training and exposed me to other communications sectors. The best part, I think, was being surrounded by fun and creative classmates and knowledgeable instructors who genuinely cared about your success.”

Piché’s internship through the program is what launched her career at the Free Press. No stranger to work-related accolades, she previously won the Eric and Jack Wells Excellence in Journalism Award while completing her joint Communications degree through RRC Polytech and the University of Winnipeg.

Grabish (2017) became an Emmy-winning investigative reporter at San Diego’s ABC10 News this past June, less than two years after starting his job there. He was honoured for his investigative work into complaints filed against a California-based burial-at-sea company. He says his drive for this type of reporting was nourished while an RRC Polytech student.

“Creative Communications … gave me a solid foundation for my future, and it gave me lifelong friends. I learned hands-on skills that are used in the industry and the program taught me that your work, especially writing, can always be improved,” says Grabish (shown at left).

“In my last year of the program, I did a year-long investigative reporting passion project. The support of my instructors and the skills I gained during my time in CreComm helped me get to a career in that same field. I’m now working as an investigative reporter in a major American city and still feel passion for enterprise reporting that can trigger change.”

Piché and Grabish are shining examples of what’s possible for RRC Polytech grads once they enter the workplace. Melanie Lee Lockhart, Chair of Creative Communications, says she’s seen many students pass through the College’s Exchange District Campus before heading on to successful careers.

“Gabrielle and Austin are in excellent company when it comes to CreComm grads making a difference, and not just in journalism,” says Lockhart. “We have grads leading major organizations in the business and non-profit worlds, undertaking passion projects that improve people’s lives in various ways, and helping organizations of all kinds connect with the people they need to connect with.

“Like many successful CreComm grads, both Gabrielle and Austin demonstrated that inner motivation as students that signals a future difference-maker.”

Piché and Grabish both completed CreComm’s Journalism stream, in which students create ethical and original stories, craft clear and concise writing for media sources, and hone visual storytelling skills through videography and photojournalism.

Learn more about opportunities available through Creative Communications.