Chabely Rivas and her family came to Canada so she could receive a good education and find the career of her dreams. For Rivas, graduating on June 17 not only means reaching a milestone, it also means making her parents’ dreams a reality.
We caught up with Rivas who shared her NC experience and the challenges she faced along the way to becoming a graduate of NC’s Public Relations program.
Chabely Rivas
Age: 21
Hometown: Cienfuegos, Cuba – currently lives in Niagara Falls, Ontario
Program: Public Relations
Awards: Coordinator Award of Excellence – awarded to a NC Public Relations student who is committed to the program and their peers, someone who is a positive ambassador of the program and someone who goes above and beyond each and every day.
What inspires you to succeed?
My family has always been the motivating factor that drives me. They brought me to Canada when I was eight years old so that I could get a proper education and eventually find the career of my dreams. My goal will always be to continue growing and making them proud. Over the years, my parents’ hard work and dedication has taught me to stay strong and persevere during difficult times.
What led you to study at NC and to your program specifically?
I was taking a Public Relations course in the third year of my Business Communications degree at Brock University. I had been contemplating whether I should do a fourth year and receive Honours or whether I should further my education elsewhere. One morning in the PR course, Emily McInerney came and spoke to us about NC’s Public Relations program. I saw how passionate she was about the students and the program and I almost immediately decided I’d graduate from Brock after that school year and attend NC in the Fall.
What interests you in / why are you passionate about your field of study?
I have always loved meeting and interacting with people, and I also enjoy writing and being able to tell captivating stories. During my time at NC, I discovered I have an interest in graphic design as well. I’m passionate about PR because it allows me to practice the things I love and be able to tap into all of them. It is a very large and flexible industry that allows you to learn and grow as you go.
Do you have a specific career goal in mind? Do you feel that completing your program will help you achieve that goal?
In terms of a career goal, I’ve discovered an interest in practicing PR in Europe. I recently visited Spain and fell in love with Madrid so, in the future, I’d like to seek opportunities there. This program is taught by very knowledgeable PR professionals that are willing to help their students in any way they can. I think being taught by them and having them to count on for the future is extremely valuable.
How did you find your program experience? What did you find rewarding or particularly beneficial?
My program experience was truly the best I’ve ever had. Not only is the curriculum effective and practical for students, but the teachers are also a great highlight. They truly go out of their way to help hard-working students. They also introduce us to some amazing PR professionals that tell their stories in the industry so that we can learn from them and network with them. Lastly, I couldn’t forget about my classmates. I’ve met some of my best friends this past year and I know that we all have each other’s backs for years to come.
Did you face any challenges over the course of your study? How did you overcome those challenges?
My biggest challenge this past year was my grandfather being hospitalized for the month of October. Because I live with my grandparents, I was present for the whole experience. My grandparents don’t speak any English, which meant that I attended most hospital visits and talked to all the doctors. My parents were there supporting me, but they felt more comfortable having me talk because their English is also very broken.
The first two weeks of October were hard – I remember speaking to Emily about my situation and she was nothing but understanding and supportive through the whole process. Without the incredible support from some of my classmates and the teachers, I really believe I wouldn’t have been able to get through this difficult time.
What is it like to graduate at this time during the COVID-19 pandemic? How has it affected you completing your studies remotely?
Graduating during a pandemic is something I never thought I’d have to do. Luckily, most of our curriculum was finished right as this was happening. However, most of my classmates and I missed the opportunity to go to our co-op and that is definitely the most disappointing part of this whole situation. I think graduating during this time will be memorable, it’s something we’ll live to tell when we’re older. However, I still am sad that my family won’t be able to see me walk across that stage.
What does graduating mean to you personally?
To me, graduating means reaching a milestone and essentially making my parents’ dreams a reality.
What have you been doing since completing your studies? Do you have a current job?
Since my co-op was cancelled, I decided, along with some of my classmates, to offer our skills to a volunteer-run, non-profit PR campaign that emerged during COVID-19 called Farmwork to Feed Canada. I recently stepped back from the campaign because I found a full-time entry-level marketing job based in St. Catharines.
Niagara College is celebrating its 5,000 spring graduates with its first-ever virtual convocation ceremonies from June 15-19. Visit the College’s Virtual Convocation site to view the schedule or to access the livestream ceremonies: niagaracollege.ca/virtualconvocation/.
