Graham Perry B.Sc.

When did you graduate from Carleton, and what program were you in?

I graduated from Carleton with a BSc in Biology in 2018.

Can you give a general overview of what you do now?

For the last 2 years, I have been mainly working as a freelance visual storyteller and science communicator. This basically means that I use filmmaking and photography to amplify the stories behind the data in order to help connect non-experts to often complex topics. In the non-profit and research worlds, this sort of storytelling-style marketing can be really beneficial in landing grants and media attention, or selling a product or service. I’ll work with mostly small organizations or companies that have a really incredible story behind the work they are doing, but don’t know how to best show it off. This is the ultimate struggle with a lot of science and is only going to become more important with time. I’m also a huge outdoors enthusiast so I’ve worked on a number of creative projects that involve activities like biking, paddling, backcountry camping, and cross country skiing. To fill in any lapses in freelance work, I’ve been doing some contract work over the last year as a project manager and creative producer for an app that has its own clients and projects.

For the upcoming year, I’ll be working a lot with an organization called Water Rangers. They design and distribute accessible water quality testing equipment and partner with communities and research groups to contribute data via an online platform. That data is then used to better inform research and policy decisions. I’ll be helping them to amplify their mission with photo and video storytelling, as well as directly supporting their community water monitoring programs. I’ll still be freelancing as much as I can, but it’ll be nice change of pace working with a passionate team most days!

What does an average day for you involve?

Being a freelancer in any field has a steep learning curve and is rarely consistent (especially when starting out). This makes it difficult, but also incredibly rewarding and I’ve learned that doing new things everyday is really where I thrive! When I’m not actually out filming, I’ll be at home either editing, developing storyboards for upcoming projects, meeting with clients, or looking for future projects, which involves a lot of formal and informal networking, as well as the odd story pitch. I’ll also do regular business things like bookkeeping and making sure my website is up to date. All of this desk work can get a little tiring but is necessary for landing some big days in the field, which is really what I aspire to and enjoy the most. Any time away from the desk feels extra valuable to me nowadays, especially during COVID.

As a student, were there experiences or opportunities that helped you get such a position. If so which ones? 

As a student, I never felt like I was cut out for the traditional academic path of the science world, but still felt strongly about promoting science, especially in terms of the environment and public health. The biology program at Carleton let me explore a wide range of courses and topics, from neurophysiology and health science, to natural history and evolutionary biology. In my current career, having a broad understanding of scientific topics and methods has helped me instantly connect with the stories I’m working on.

Outside of the classroom, I was a biology department rep and executive on the Carleton Science Student Society and student-athlete on the Ravens Nordic Ski Team. Keeping busy outside the classroom taught me to better manage my time, hone new leadership and communication skills, while still doing the things I love. Carleton has great opportunities for getting involved in the science community and beyond, plus Ottawa is a great place to be if you love getting outdoors and active.

Do you have any advice for students interested in pursuing a similar path?

Networking! It could be your best friend, a stranger on Instagram, your 1st year chem lab partner, or a professor but it helps a lot to have a strong network. You never know what kind of opportunities might come out of one meaningful conversation.

Know your worth! If you’re a working professional, setting your own rates, putting in the time, and investing in the resources to provide a service, then you need to be compensated in some way or another. You’ll need to build a portfolio of work but exposure doesn’t pay the bills.

Find your niche! With so many “content creators” out there today, you’ll need to find a way to stand out. Identifying a niche can help you focus your attention in one direction while sticking with the things that you really love. My niches in environmental science and outdoor adventure have helped me narrow in on how I want to present myself to potential clients.

You can follow Graham on instagram: @grahamperry1

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