Nicole Brewster

Name
Nicole Brewster
Grad Year
2001
Degree
Hons. B.A.
Program
Anthropology
Professional Writing
Sociology
Role / Title
Associate Producer/Field Producer for CBC TV: The National
Industry
Art, Culture, Recreation & Sport
Organization
CBC

“Everyday is a challenge working in investigative news. I work for Fifth Estate specials. It is rewarding to see all the research and hard work appear on television,” says Nicole, who previously worked as an Assistant Producer for NBC Television’s Dateline for one year and a Promotions Producer for CBC Television for another year.

“I also enjoy working as a freelance producer directing and producing documentaries.”

Nicole says her work requires organization, strong writing and researching skills as well as interviewing skills.

“We interview subjects for stories and background information, so you must be social and professional,” she says.

She adds that the externship program she took at CTV’s Canada AM and her involvement with UTM’s campus radio station, where she was the Program Manager for two years, were key to getting her career off the ground.

“I also had an internship in New York with the Sally Jessy Raphael show with the guidance and help of Professor Barry Green. On top of that, I volunteered at Rogers Television as a Production Assistant in my third and fourth years at UTM,” she says.

“I had a job lined up before graduating. I started making calls and sending letters to companies in the US because I found them to be more responsive than Canadian companies. I was very organized and followed up with all potential companies.”

If she could have done anything differently, Nicole says she would have probably studied journalism.

“My advice would be to seek work and volunteer experience on your free time and during the summer in the field that you hope to end up in. Make contacts early. Do not wait until you graduate,” she says.

“Once you've made a good contact, stay in touch with them. One day they may be able to help you in finding a suitable career or put you in touch with someone who can.”