BIPOC creatives comment on the reality of securing funding in Vancouver’s film industry. P7
Vancouver residents share their experiences of living and working in Vancouver. P6
VPD community initiatives to protect Indigenous women in question. bit.ly/3Xggl7a
In the wake of the 34th annual Women’s Memorial March advocates say that despite ongoing issues with discrimination, police in Vancouver are trying to mend their relationship with Indigenous people.
Sandra DeLorme, a 56 year-old residential day school survivor, said she began going to the march to honour missing and murdered Indigenous women in her early twenties and has been going ever since.
She said a friend told her, “There’s a whole bunch of ladies that are going missing. We’re going to stop at each site that they found their bodies. I said, OK, let’s go.” Delorme, who works at a shelter in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, said her community does not have a good relationship with the police because they are not offered meaningful support when they reach out to law enforcement.
Lorelei Williams, founder of the Butterflies in Spirit dance group, said officers from the Vancouver Police Department told her there was nothing they could do when she reported a man threatening to kill her.
Williams told police she worked with the Vancouver Aboriginal Community Policing Centre and the SisterWatch Committee, adding “I know there’s something that can be done.” She said the officers came back “and they were like, ‘OK, we can do something about it.’ But I had to pull those cards out. I always have to.”
Williams said the initial reaction from the police officers made her feel like she did not matter as an Indigenous person.
Tabitha Frank, the women’s support coordinator at the Vancouver Aboriginal Community Policing Centre, said that despite her niece being killed by police during a wellness check in 2020, continuing her work at the policing centre is vital to mend the gap between Indigenous people and the police. “The community trusts us when we do the work and I decided to stay because if we don’t stand up for our women, who will?”
Frank noted the Circles of Understanding, an initiative by the policing centre to bring awareness to the continued and historical oppression of the Indigenous population. She said this program has been beneficial to new police recruits. “I feel like
it’s changing the way that policing is happening,” she said. “They’re having a bit of understanding of why Indigenous people are the way they are now and why they’re so triggered by the uniform.”
Frank said she hopes within the next five years Indigenous people will start trusting the system, noting the older generation of police officers do not have the same understanding because they did not receive training from the policing centre.
Jacqueline Michell, the policing centre’s executive director, said she is seeing progress in their collaborations with the VPD. Although she still takes extra precautions as an Indigenous woman living in Canada, she said she applauds the efforts made by the police. “They’re really taking our feedback. I think that’s interesting that they’re hearing us and that they’re implementing the changes.”
VPD media relations officer Steve Addison said the department investigates more than 5,000 missing person’s cases every year with a solve rate of 99.9 per cent. Addison said of the 5,400 cases investigated in 2024, only five cases remain unsolved.
Langara Faculty Association says process is confusing and ‘chaotic’
By SAGE SMITH
After two weeks of protest by the Langara Faculty Association in the face of expected layoffs, Langara employees received the news that 22 faculty members had received work reduction notices for the fall 2025 term.
On Feb. 13, Langara president Paula Burns sent an email announcing these work reduction notices, adding that employment “may continue if there is temporary work for which they are eligible in their department.”
According to LFA president Paulina Greaves said the work reductions will result in layoffs, but the number of people affected remains unclear. She said the process has been confusing for staff. “Now we have to go back and ask their HR partner, can you explain this to me?” she said. “It makes the thing really cumbersome and chaotic because they haven’t worked through all of those issues yet.”
In her Feb. 13 email, Burns also wrote that many temporary faculty members received fewer hours or in some cases no work in the spring 2025 semester, and 12 Continuing Studies staff members received reduction notices in late January 2025.
“This is no doubt difficult for the people affected. We are grateful for their contributions,” the email said.
Burns added that due to federal international student policy changes, this spring semester saw 1,400 fewer students on campus compared to this time last year.
The college was hit especially hard by a drop in enrolment due to international student caps brought on by a change in federal government policy.
Langara has a high proportion of international students compared to many other similar B.C. post-secondary institutions. Langara president Paula Burns told faculty in an email that the college was facing a dramatic drop of almost 79 per cent in international student applications for the 2025 spring semester.
The LFA held two weeks of protests, from Feb. 4 to 14, in response to these expected layoffs.
Niall Christie, an LFA board member and department chair of history, Latin and political science, said the college’s reliance on international students’ tuition for funding has made it vulnerable to the caps. International students pay approximately six times more for tuition than domestic students.
He said faculty jobs could be saved if the administration is willing to reduce class sizes and promote the college to attract more students. He said that the administration is going for a “quick and not well thought through approach, which is simply to cut faculty jobs without actually considering the human impact.”
Christie said the college has demonstrated “an extraordinary lack of leadership.”
In a Feb. 26 email statement, college spokesperson Adam Brayford said that the college has done their best to share as much information as possible with instructors. Brayford said last summer and fall there were a series of town halls and messages to raise awareness of enrolment declines and possible impacts, deans met with impacted faculty, and mitigation strategies have been communicated.
A faculty member, who asked to remain unnamed due to fear of job loss, said that staff and faculty have also received push-back from the administration, and some are afraid to speak out.
“Department members have faced warnings,” they said. “Even just saying we don’t want to cut a class has faced reprisals.”
ANorth Vancouver gym owner who needs more space for her growing cheerleading programs has not had much to cheer about when it comes to city zoning bylaws.
Absolute Gym, which offers recreational tumbling and competitive cheerleading, has seen its popularity soar. With 600 students, the current space is often at capacity.
According to owner Sonja Aquila, a vacant unit next door, which has sat empty for over a year, seemed like the perfect opportunity for expansion. However, bylaws state that Absolute Gym has reached the maximum capacity for recreational fitness within an industrial space.
Aquila said North Vancouver needs more space for recreational youth sports. "I'm limited to having 20 participants in my unit every day. I break that rule by over 100 people every single day, and I'm willing to take the fine for it because there's nothing else," she said.
Aquila, who has run cheerleading programs on the North Shore for 19 years, said she initially moved into the space eight years ago, seeing the potential for growth in a larger building. However, as the city’s population has grown, so has the demand for her programs, which
now have lengthy waitlists.
She is no closer to a solution despite contacting city councillors and planning officials. "I called Coun. [Jessica] McIlroy last summer, and she said, 'There's not much I can do.’ They always tell me to defer to working with the city," Aquila said.
Aquila remains hopeful that upcoming updates to the community plan could benefit her. "They’re increasing the population on that street alone by almost 6,000 people. They have to allow more [recreational space]," she said.
In the meantime, Aquila has applied for a temporary use permit to use the space for two years. She hopes the old zoning laws will change when the community plan is updated. However, city planning staff said they would likely deny her application because they don’t believe she intends to vacate after two years.
For athletes like 15-year-old Sienna Kadi, limited space is affecting training. Kadi, who has been attending Absolute Gym for three years, said the gym is often overcrowded, making it difficult to get the space she needs.
"Sometimes it’s hard to use the full floor when I'm trying to tumble," Kadi said. "There are so many people at the open gym, and it’s hard to get enough space for yourself."
Coun. Tony Valente said he sympathizes with Aquila’s frustration but pointed out the challenges of industrial zoning regulations.
"We have a shortage of industrial land, and it’s extremely difficult because we’ve sworn to protect it," Valente said. He said that making one exception could set a precedent for converting more industrial land into residential use.
"It’s tragic because here you have a growing North Vancouver business that wants to expand, and we’re the block," he said.
As a month-long winter arts festival encouraged Nanaimo residents to see their city in a new light, the debate about the Vancouver Island municipality’s beleaguered downtown continues.
Luminous Paths brought art, music and activities to MaffeoSutton Park to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the city’s first council meeting. On its opening night on Jan. 22, the festival featured live performances, food trucks and family-friendly activities. Illuminated art installations by five artists remained in the park until Feb. 17.
Jaime-Brett Sine, the city’s culture coordinator, said the goal of Luminous Paths was to allow people to engage with an area of town they might not otherwise go to on a dark, winter evening. Sine said a downtown park at night may be uninviting or even intimidating to many people, so the festival was intended to help people reimagine the space.
“It just felt like a really good metaphor for the light that art brings to people’s lives,” Sine said. “Especially when times are tough.”
Downtown Nanaimo has been the subject of negative attention in
recent years, due to what many city residents perceive to be a dramatic increase in crime and disorder from the city’s growing unhoused population. In the 2023 homelessness count, the city registered 515 people experiencing homelessness, an 18.9 per cent increase from 2020. But some advocates in the city say the number could be as high as 1,000 in a city with a population of 104,000.
Steven Johns, a business owner and the vice-chair of the Downtown Business Association, said much of the negative publicity around downtown is unfair.
“I think a lot of it is just fear,” Johns said. “We do have a homeless problem. Nanaimo is one of the fastest growing cities in Canada, and with growth comes growing pain. And that’s all these things are.
Luminous Paths took place alongside a broader city-led revitalization plan for downtown Nanaimo, which includes construction projects to refurbish downtown plazas, pedestrian areas and public spaces.
Amy Ferris, co-owner of White Rabbit Coffee Co. and Black Rabbit Kitchen, said there was a noticeable uptick in families visiting downtown throughout Luminous Paths compared to other winter evenings.
“Arts and culture is the main way
that we’re finding that we’re able to get people kind of out and engaged with the city,” Ferris said. “So seeing an initiative in the winter months where we see lower traffic has been really helpful and very smart of the new administration.”
But for some residents, art festivals and street redesigns are BandAid solutions for a much larger issue.
Joe Kingdon, a nurse and Nanaimo resident, said his hesitation around the area is due to the prevalence of open drug use and “the unpredictable behaviour, the violence, that does spring out of that lifestyle.”
Kingdon used to come downtown with his family, and still occasionally does on his own, but no longer brings his children with him.
“Just seeing the decay of our social fabric, you know, people literally overdosed and comatose on the street in these very wild and zombielooking like positions. That terrifies my one child.”
While Ferris acknowledges that the tension around downtown Nanaimo is still “prevalent and ongoing,” she believes the future of the area is bright.
“So much of what the city is doing is just beginning,” she said.
By ROSE LEUNG
Tanille Geib, a former Langara student who was diagnosed with ADHD at age 38, said accommodations are a tremendous help as she navigates the final years of her bachelor’s degree at the University of Victoria.
“Being supported now with things that I struggle with is just so much more useful than when I went to Langara years ago,” Geib said.
Geib is one of an increasing number of late-diagnosed women who are using post-secondary accommodations to help them through their demanding course loads.
Accommodations can include special provisions like recorded lectures and extended time to complete exams, measures that Geib said have allowed her to meet her academic goals. “I got a two day extension [on my exam] and that was really really helpful for me,” Geib
said. “So I’m just like, really grateful.”
A 2023 study done by Epic Research, an American software company which collects and analyzes clinical health data, showed that the number of women between the ages of 23 and 49 diagnosed with ADHD nearly doubled between 2020 and 2022. A 2014 peer reviewed study by researchers at the National Center for Girls and Women With ADHD helps explain the disparity, highlighting that women present more inter-
Price increases threaten students ability to afford enough food
By JUAN DIAZ LOPEZ
Food businesses across the Lower Mainland are preparing for potential price increases from suppliers in response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff threats.
Under Trump’s proposed plan, an additional 25 per cent tariff would be placed on imports from Canada. If Canada responds with retaliatory tariffs, as it has promised, it could raise costs for on-campus food businesses, leading to higher menu prices.
Toast and Roast Grill, a new restaurant in the Langara Student Union building, is preparing for potential price increases from suppli-
ers if the tariffs take effect while they focus on growing their business.
Chef Sandeep Badoni said the restaurant is committed to finding ways of mitigating the impact of the tariffs on their business.
Bandoni said that portion sizes will remain the same even if food prices increase.
Staff and students are considering alternative options to fulfil their dietary needs.
Monica Malog from the Langara Nutrition and Food Service Management department said that one of the best ways to save money while meeting your nutritional needs is through preparation.
“Bring your stuff from home. It’s less expensive, and you have control over what you’re taking. That means planning ahead for your grocery shopping, planning ahead in your menu planning, and day planning ahead for your day,” said Malog.
If the tariffs come into effect and food prices on-campus rise, some Langara students, like business administration student Rosi Guti-
errez, said they will change their on-campus consumption habits.
“I will do my food at home instead of buying [at] Langara or another restaurant,” said Gutierrez.
David Speight, executive chef and culinary director at the University of British Columbia, said it is too early to tell how the tariffs will affect food prices.
The effects of the potential tariffs remain uncertain, but UBC is developing a strategy to minimize the impact on students. By supporting local sources, the university has lowered its risk of cost increases.
“We already are deeply committed to local sourcing, and last year, 51 per cent of all our food and beverage products were sourced from within B.C.,” Speight said.
The Acorn Restaurant, a vegetarian fine dining eatery based in Vancouver, focuses its business model on opting for local and seasonal produce.
Matt Gostelow, head chef of The Acorn Restaurant, said, “If more restaurants and businesses supported
former UBC student Ghaz Akbari said that finding support for her ADHD was difficult. “Back in my day nobody really told me about it,” Akbari said. “Systemically, the support didn’t exist.”
UBC student Miriam Fenniri said she was introduced to accessibility services soon after receiving her diagnosis at 19. However, the process of obtaining accommodations can still be challenging, she said, especially for students with ADHD that struggle with procrastination.
“I feel like the biggest actual barrier is just doing it. A lot of students know that it’s there but there’s a struggle in going to the counsellor and actually taking that lead,” Fenniri said.
Lynda Beveridge, director of accessibility at Kwantlen Polytechnic University, said the university is working on more innovative ways to respond to the increased demand.
In an emailed statement, Beveridge said, “new artificial intelligencedriven tools – when used within university policies and instructors’ guidelines – can assist with tasks students with ADHD may find challenging.”
nalized symptoms compared with men, such as distraction or disorganization, which are often overlooked early in life.
Mairi Mallet, a registered nurse at Langara College’s Health Services, said she attributes the rise in diagnoses to increasing knowledge of mental health and ADHD. “There’s been more discussion around that in the media and online,” she said, adding that this results in students noticing symptoms earlier.
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic,
Kwantlen has seen a two per cent increase in students seeking accommodations for ADHD between 2020 and 2024. BCIT Student Success senior director Laura Vail has been supporting students with disabilities for over eight years. She said the university may make overarching changes to how they approach accommodations.
“Instead of addressing the needs of an individual, you’re coming at it from a systemic approach of how do we make education just more accessible to everybody regardless of their culture or language spoken or disability or neurodiversity,” Vail said.
She hopes this will reduce barriers to access and allow students to focus on learning.
local farmers and growers, it would help them produce more, creating a greater demand and driving the prices down.”
The restaurant’s success is based on minimizing food waste and maximizing the value of each ingredient. Their prices will remain the same if the U.S. tariffs take effect.
“We will make miso with the guts of the squash we receive, pickle the
skin of celeriac, or make a jus from the peels of onions. It is our way of honouring the farmers who put so much hard work and effort into growing the produce for us that we don’t want to waste a single thing,” said Gostelow.
The Voice reached out to management at Chartwells, the business that runs food services at Langara, but they declined to comment.
By ELLIOT MOFFAT SHOJANIA
Langara student Sandeep Singh said he finds it difficult to get his school work done on time because of struggles maintaining balance with his job, studies and the rest of his life.
“Sometimes when I come from work, I really feel very tired,” Singh said, adding that feeling tired can lead to procrastination.
Singh was one of many students who attended a Feb. 17 Thriving Thursday’s session on procrastination.
Thriving Thursdays is a Langara program in which student volunteers known as mental health ambassa dors educate other students on issues like procrastination, sleep, stress and burnout. The ambassadors are trained on those topics, which they then present to other students during Thurs day sessions in the foyer of the A Building.
“I thought I should ask [the ambassadors] how to overcome procrastination, so I just went there and they helped me out,” Singh said.
Amanda Burkholder, a mental health program coordinator at Langara College, said although Langara had peer-to-peer counselling programs to help students with mental health issues, the program wasn’t getting much uptake.
“[Thriving Thursdays] is more casual and less barriers than when you hear the word ‘counselling,’” Burkholder said.
Although the numbers are only quantitative, the ambassadors were able to have approximately 6,000 interactions with students in 2024, accord-
“The transition for a lot of students to college can feel a bit overwhelming and they can feel the problems emotionally,” ambassador Asheesh Saincher said. “But sometimes it’s hard to know what to do with that, and it’s hard to know that there are resources that can actually help you along.”
According to Saincher, the two biggest issues
students face are sleep problems and procrastination.
During the Feb. 17 session, the ambassadors talked to students about a method they call “the five minute technique,” where an individual starts doing a task they are avoiding for five minutes to try and create momentum to finish the task. They also handed out Langara-branded five-minute timers to help students.
Mental health ambassador Kashish Dhingra said that she also uses momentum to help her battle procrastination.
“If I really want to deal with procrastination, I start doing the activities that I feel more confident about, and I start doing them for just five minutes,” Dhingra said. “If I like and enjoy doing it in that environment right where I am right now, I’ll keep doing it.”
Karine Chen, another mental health ambassador, said she feels like helping students helps her as well.
“I feel like when I get connected to students, at the same time, I am also helping myself to release the stress,” Chen said. “Because I feel good when I talk to people and get to know about their feelings and learn how different people … express themselves in different ways.”
The remaining Thriving Thursdays this semester are Feb. 27, March 20 and March 27.
By ELLIOT MOFFAT SHOJANIA
Procrastination is a challenge that many Langara students face, but there are a number of methods available to beat this common obstacle.
Langara science graduate Anna Adnan remembers advice she received during her first orientation at Langara.
“Manage your time,” Adnan said. “When you’re taking a bunch of courses, you have to sacrifice a couple [courses] based on how important one thing is compared to the other.”
Brendan Starling, a counsellor at the LEAP Clinic on Broadway who primarily works with high school and university students, said that one of the primary issues his clients face is “frustration with academics or procrastination.”
“The young people I often work with discover that the procrastina-
tion actually leads to fear, replacing the motivation when it comes time to get their assignments done,” Starling said.
According to Starling, the best way to beat procrastination is by writing out thoughts, feelings and behaviours.
“Can you spend 10 minutes at the end of the day … and write out some of the patterns through this method that we’re looking at? And then what are you learning? That’s how therapy works,” Starling said.
Starling said that anyone who wants to change their behaviour has to spend time in contemplation and reflection.
“When you’re taking a bunch of courses, you have to sacrifice a couple [courses] based on how important one thing is compared to the other.”
— ANNA ADNAN, STUDENT
Rithik Reddy, the Crack On food truck
“I’m excited about since it’s a sunny day, hoping most of the company people will be coming out. Many people roaming around for coffees and stuff, hoping to get more business. And what I’m worried about is, maybe because of cold, people might not come out and just hoping to order from online.”
Gerry Krstyal, a cancer researcher and professor at UBC.
“I’m excited about my research. It keeps me going. You have to have a passion in life to make life worthwhile in this absurd world.”
“Angie Reddy, Owner, Boulevard Dry Cleaners
“I’m worried about if this snow gonna go away or not. Because it’s affecting the business.”
of anxiety and
Story and photos by MARC
Athe Voice, we hope upon finding someone excited about the same things you are, you become more excited. Upon finding someone worried about the same things you are, you become a little less worried .
Through its unique geography, economy and demographics, Vancouver offers a unique perspec-
BOLEN
tive on what fears and hopes occupy the minds of Canadians.
From Feb. 6 to Feb. 8 business owners and residents were asked what they worried about and what they were excited about. From a cancer researcher to a tattoo artist, there were a range of answers and insights, many of which are linked through shared experience and understanding.
Jasper Fischer, UBC student and Insect Preservationist
“I am transgender. So one thing that I am worried about or scared about today is my existence in North America.”
Dave Pelham, Tattoo artist, Sacred Heart Tattoo
“I am excited that it’s sunny out..I’m still alive and breathing and I still I’m able to create.”
“Today I am worried about the annexation of Canada. I think that’s on a lot of people’s minds….and it’s hard not to have that consume you. So I’m very, it’s in the forefront of my mind… it’s a heavy weight, you know, because there’s a lot to lose.”
By OKSANA SHTOHRYN
Vancouver creative Omari Newton says in an already tough filmmaking industry, creators from underrepresented communities face extra barriers to accessing funding.
Newton, head of acting for film and television at Vancouver Film School, said funding programs for Black, Indigenous and other filmmakers of colour are becoming more common but access remains difficult for those unfamiliar with the system.
“Navigating those funding systems … learning how to write a budget, learning how to write a grant, just finding the right people who know where to look … that’s the biggest challenge,” Newton said.
Newton said the Black Lives Matter movement of 2020 led to an increase in funding for Black-led projects, but that support was temporary.
“After the tragic death of George Floyd … there was all types of funding that I think was driven by a lot of guilt,” Newton said. “Things have settled back to the norm now.”
Newton said the small size of Vancouver’s Black community limits mentorship opportunities, making it harder for emerging filmmakers to secure funding.
According to Statistics Canada, Black people made up 4.3 per cent of Canada’s population in 2021 and only 1.2 per cent of those people lived in B.C.
Newton said hiring a professional
grant writer can help new filmmakers increase their chances of securing funding.
“Try to find the money to pay a professional who understands how to apply for funding,” he said.
Amidst difficulties securing funding for under-represented creators and stories, one web series has succeeded. Novelette is Trying was created by Giselle Miller and stars Studio 58 graduate Ivy Charles. The series, which premiered Feb. 10, broke ground as Vancouver’s first Black queer web series.
Charles said she tends to pursue supporting character roles because she rarely sees people like her in leading roles, but things have changed since Novelette is Trying.
“Why can’t I be the main character, essentially? …it [the series] did open my eyes to let me understand that it is a possibility if I connect with them. And I really connected with Novelette,” said Charles.
The series received support from various sources, including the Independent Production Fund and Canada Media Fund.
Giselle Miller, the series creator, said the show was created to bring Black queer women to the forefront in Vancouver, across Canada and globally.
While the series secured financial backing, Miller said the process required extensive preparation. She spent a year developing the series, writing story outlines and building relationships with potential funders
By AMBER MONIZ No-shows cause spring service cancellation
While Langara’s online resume review service has been struggling with attendance, a similar service offered at Kwantlen Polytechnic University has been successfully operating exclusively online.
Until spring 2025, the Langara program was offered both in person and online, but because too many students did not show up for their booked times, the program has switched to in-person only. The program offers students who are entering the workforce an opportunity for an in-depth evaluation of their resumes with an experienced professional.
The student services office at KPU offers a nearly identical service, and the organizers say they have seen great success because of the online availability.
Chantal Rackley, career development services coordinator at the university, said that the KPU resume review service is “extremely busy”.
She said that they’ve offered online services since the COVID19 pandemic started, and have kept them online since because of the success.
“The fact that it’s online does probably means that it’s way busier than the drop-in service in person would have been,” Rackley said.
before submitting applications.
“These things take time, but if you build relationships, it can really work,” Miller said.
Despite Miller’s success, many filmmakers struggle to secure funding due to limited grants and high demand.
Rachel Kwan, a queer director who
“The gateway to get in is tough because there are so many different intersections of minorities...”
— RACHEL KWAN, DIRECTOR
worked as a production designer on Novelette is Trying, said competition for funding remains fierce among underrepresented filmmakers.
“The gateway to get in is tough because there are so many different intersections of minorities here that are all kind of fighting for the same funding,” Kwan said.
Some filmmakers turn to alternative ways to finance their projects.
Kwan reinvests their earnings from production design into personal projects.
“My way of writing and directing is by production designing full-time, making my money that way, and then using that money to go directly into the films I write and direct,” they said.
While many see the importance of student resume review services, Langara has experienced problems with attendance.
Jennifer Reid, instructor for career centre activities at Langara, said that in-person attendance increased after the online appointments were cancelled.
“It’s in demand, I just don’t know-
why they’re not showing online,” she said.
Reid said the demand for resume reviews fluctuates at different points in the year, and that online appointments will likely be reintroduced in the future.
Resume Target is a Toronto based company that connects people with professional resume writers to provide advice for building resumes. Amos Tayts, founder and president of the company, said that how a resume review is held “doesn’t really matter” as long as the right tools are given to students.
“After COVID what we found is that it’s easier for people just to be comfortable wherever they are,” he said.
Tayts said there should be a system to prevent no shows from occurring. “If there’s no penalties for not showing up then people just keep doing it,” he said.
Ayla Maxfield, an administrative assistant at the Langara Kinesiology Association, said many students are not aware of Langara’s resume review program, but that there is value in offering services that are accessible to all students.
“I’m disappointed to hear that they are shutting them down because I would have liked to take advantage of that. I think online is very convenient,” Maxfield said.
Rowan Vriesema-Magnuson, director of experiential learning and programs at Fresh Roots Urban Farm Society, said that resume templates are a “great place to start” but encouraged students to give their resumes more thought. He also stressed that there are ways for students to communicate their academic experiences to prospective employers.
“So, imagine that you’re trying to explain your experience to, say, someone’s grandma who has no idea what your degree is. That’s kind of what you need to do for employers, especially if you’re trying to have those transferable skills,” VriesemaMagnuson said.
By MILENA BAAK
Langara Falcon’s top scoring basketball player is putting in the extra work to get closer to his NBA dream.
First-year Langara Falcon Cameron Vaughn said he is taking the necessary steps in his bid for a pro career with the help of his family.
“My dad is a huge part of all of my brothers that played,” said Vaughn, who also calls him his “fake agent.”
Growing up in New Hope, Minnesota, Vaughn started playing
sports at a very young age. But after witnessing an act of gun violence during a football practice when he was five years old, the Americanborn decided to abandon football in favour of playing an indoor sport.
Vaughn takes inspiration from his older brother, Rashad Vaughn, who plays professional basketball in Europe.
“Seeing his work ethic and seeing him enjoy his fruits after he put the hard work in, made me hungry,” said Vaughn.
The older Vaughn was the 17th overall pick in the 2015 NBA draft selected by the Milwaukee Bucks and went on to play for the Brooklyn
Nets and Orlando Magic in 2018.
He now plays in the Greek Basketball League.
Falcons men’s head coach Cassidy Kannemeyer said that he recognizes Vaughn’s potential to advance his career to the professional level and his determination to make his dreams a reality.
“He’s got tremendous speed and agility,” said Kannemeyer.
Kannemeyer said that because Vaughn has at least another year to play for the Falcons, it can help his consistency at both ends of the court.
“He can put up winning numbers and win games,” said Kannemeyer.
“He can do it, he just got to work hard in it.”
Owen Jones, the team captain, said Vaughn is a dedicated player who has the potential to make it far in his career.
“Out of the players I’ve had he’s definitely one of the best, and that means a lot because I’ve played with a lot of good players,” said Jones.
Although Vaughn may not be vocal during his team huddles, Jones said that his commitment to himself and to the team shows by him “working on his game and getting shots up and trying to be the best version of himself.”
Jacob Francia, a third-year
Falcons player, said that he has noticed a difference in the team since Vaughn joined.
“He just brings a different style of play,” said Francia.
Francia said Vaughn’s dream to go pro with his skills is attainable with the right training and consistency.
“It’s definitely in his bloodline,” said Francia.
Although he dreams of one day playing in the NBA, Vaughn’s education is important to him, and he is enrolled in Langara’s business administration program.
“Education is the most important thing, but my life is basketball,” Vaughn said.
More playing and learning can help you land the job
By DANIEL BUMANGLAG
In recent years, online gaming has evolved not only as a form of entertainment but also in the corporate world, opening the door to numerous career opportunities.
Online gaming-related careers have expanded beyond the roles traditionally associated with the industry, like game designer or software developer. Those interested in working in the industry can pursue a career in a wide range of areas,
encompassing anything from animation to narrative development and game testing.
Karan Senthil completed a postgraduate diploma at Langara in web and mobile app design and development (WMDD) in 2024, and is one of many seeking a career in the gaming industry.
Senthil said he thought the developer stream of the WMDD program was perfectly aligned with his goal to work as a game developer in Canada.
breaking into a career in the industry.
Jorge Puertovannetti, a game design instructor at Langara, said that being a game designer is like a
Although the Langara program is not focused on online gaming, Senthil signed up for a game development course on the side with the hopes of
He also said that having a background in game design can open the door to a number of career opportunities.
“As long as you have the basics, you can pretty much decide whatever you want.”
— JORGE PUERTOVANNETTI, GAME DESIGN INSTRUCTOR AT LANGARA
bridge that connects every aspect of the industry.
“As long as you have the basics, you can pretty much decide whatever you want,” Puertovannetti said.
“We have developers. We have programmers. We have so many things,” Puertovannetti said.
Data suggests players think that playing video games can equip individuals to excel in their careers, regardless of the industry. In a survey conducted by the Entertainment Software Association of Canada in 2023, 84 per cent of Canadian players agreed that playing video games can improve problemsolving skills. The survey also said that more than
three-quarters of local players (77 per cent) agree with video games building cognitive skills.
Senthil, said that during his childhood, video games were just for entertainment.
“I think times have changed. Now people are very serious about it, as the industry has become huge and people have careers in it,” Senthil said.
Puertovannetti agrees. He said that those interested in pursuing a career in online gaming should be playing games and learning the tools that those in the industry use.
Even though Senthil now works as a software engineer at the biotechnology company Willow Laboratories Inc., he has not given up on his dream of working in gaming.