“Alright, we’ll need a small team to handle the media relations for your final speeches. Who’s interested?”, asks David Turnbull, professor at Seneca College. Without hesitation I volunteered for what proved to be one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. Along with having to prepare my own speech, I was responsible for targeting specific media outlets to attend our final speech class live on Bay St. I definitely learned that we had no choice but to bring our ‘A’ game in order to make this a news worthy and interesting event. We did just that!

CityTV onsite, filming for me Breakfast Television

CBC onsite filming my speech

Bay St. is Toronto’s financial district; a location that exudes professionalism and high esteem. This was truly an inspiring location for our final speeches. Even though I was nervous, my classmates and all the business people passing by gave me the confidence I needed to deliver a strong and compelling speech.

Delivering my speech on Bay St.

My speech was pertaining to the stress placed on new graduates to secure employment. It is increasingly more challenging for this generation to find a job, as employers are using a candidate’s social media presence as a way of determining if they should be considered for the position. I feel that life will always put us to the test and that we should all, “Get that right hook up, ready to fight for what we deserve. Keep our guard up under our chin to shield from the challenges that come our way. Keep our feet planted; standing firm in our dreams for success.  The great boxer Mohammed Ali said, “I hated every minute of training, but I didn’t quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion.” (excerpt from my speech)

Delivering my speech with the help of my boxing gloves