Meet Our People: Isabella

Every month we are profiling one of the Web Services Department’s team members. This month we hear about Isabella, who is a co-op student with Web Services.

How did you enter this career?

As a combined Journalism and Communication and Media Studies student, I was interested in this co-op position because I wanted to familiarize myself with the communications side and technical aspects of content creation and web design/ development, using various platforms and software. I was also interested in the idea of working and creating web content because I wanted to gain an appreciation for understanding the technical processes of web content development. I also wanted to gain more of an appreciation for the internal and external infrastructure that supports the university’s web content. Regardless of the career, I believe that these are beneficial tools to learn and know how to use. I look forward to learning these tools throughout my first co-op term.

Where else have you worked?

Last summer I worked as a feature writer at Ottawa Life Magazine where I wrote articles about a wide variety of topics, such as the best restaurants in Ottawa, and local businesses and arts festivals. During previous summers I worked as a camp counsellor and a lifeguard at a camp for people with disabilities. Additionally, I also worked as a lifeguard for the City of San Antonio’s Parks and Recreation Department.

What are some of the technologies you have used along the way?

I have experience with Microsoft Office Suite software, including Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. I also have experience with the platform WordPress from my previous journalism classes. I will gain even more experience with WordPress, Jira, and Emplifi throughout my co-op term. Additionally, I have used photo and video editing platforms such as Canva, Premiere Pro, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Lightroom, and Final Cut Pro. Over the past few years, I have also become familiar with Zoom, Google Drive, and Microsoft Teams.

What are the best things about your program?

One of the best aspects of my Journalism program is that I have the opportunity to meet and speak with amazing people throughout the process of writing my articles. I love interviewing new people and listening to their stories. I believe everyone has a unique story to convey. Additionally, the journalism staff and students are truly inspiring. It is no surprise that Carleton’s journalism program is internationally renowned.

Do you have some exciting projects you are working on right now?

Currently, my colleague, Sarah, and I are working on creating a self-guided training course for accessibility training. Having some background working with kids and adults with both mental and physical disabilities, I appreciate how important accessibility is, and I am excited to see what we can create.

What music are you listening to at the moment?

Generally, I listen to artists such as Bad Bunny or the Wallows. Bad Bunny’s new album, “Un Verano Sin Ti”, was released recently, so I have been enjoying listening to his new songs. Harry Styles also released his new album, “Harry’s House”, so the song, “As It Was” has been playing on repeat in my room.

What are you reading at the moment?

Right now, I am reading a romance novel called “It Ends with Us”, by Colleen Hoover. Usually, I find historical, nonfiction novels, and biographies very interesting; however, a friend highly recommended this book and I have been enjoying it so far.

What do you do outside of work/school to amuse yourself?

I enjoy being outside, painting, cooking, baking, camping, hiking, and riding a bike whenever the weather is nice. I love making cookies, brownies, quiche, apple crisps, muffins, and fudge for other people. I also love going to farmer’s markets and thrift stores.

What exciting plans do you have coming up in the next year?

I hope to visit my family in Texas at the end of the summer. I also hope to visit some of my other family members in New Brunswick. I am also currently taking a summer dance class at Carleton. Although I have never taken any dance classes, my friend and I thought this would be something exciting and fun to do during the summer. Hopefully, I will learn some useful dance skills if I am ever a part of a flash mob. Additionally, this summer, I hope to create a food blog or Instagram page showcasing the best places to eat in Ottawa. I recently moved to a place in Centertown, near Bank Street, and there are so many unique restaurants and nooks that I would like to explore. My dream is to become a food blogger/ writer one day, so this seems like a good place to start.