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Journalism is one field but requires many hats to tell stories
By Heba Suleiman
Griffin's hometown: Richmond Hill, Ontario
Griffin Jaegar's first creative experiences were as a performer. As an adult working professionally in journalism, he has been able to apply his skills on camera, and also as a producer, behind the scenes.
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Griffin Jaeger was born with a love for the arts. As a child, he graced the stage for 10 years, performing in local theatres and showcasing his natural talent for acting. Though there were numerous career paths he could have pursued, Griffin knew that his true calling lay in creative fields.
Though he initially aspired to be on-camera talent, likely as a journalist, some of his earliest professional experiences showed him that working closely with reporters to craft stories from start to finish is an experience he cherishes. He has realized that his true creative place might lie as much behind the camera as it does in front of it.
Now, as an Associate Producer and Social Reporter with CBC’s The National, he’s getting to test his mettle in news production with Canada’s public broadcaster.
It was while he was studying media at Western that Griffin first stumbled upon his passion for journalism. Taking on a role as a reporter for Western TV, he reveled in the art of the interview, learning about people's stories and delving into their characters.
"I am always searching for the protagonists and antagonists in the stories I tell,” he says.
After completing his undergraduate degree in Media, Information and Technoculture through the Faculty of Information and Media Studies, Griffin’s passion for journalism fueled his desire to continue down that path. He seized the opportunity to pursue the Master of Media in Journalism and Communication program in 2022, where he sharpened his skills in video, audio, and print journalism.
As an enthusiastic student, Griffin's dedication and hard work shone through, earning him not one but two prestigious awards: the J.B. McGeachy gold medal in journalism, a coveted prize that recognizes excellence in the field, and the Donaldson scholarship, awarded annually by CBC to the brightest young minds in journalism.
The scholarship opened doors for Griffin, starting with a web writer role in the CBC’s Toronto newsroom. He then shifted to entertainment and education, covering red carpet events and film festivals, followed by a move to the CBC enterprise unit based in Toronto to do investigative work. He also had the opportunity to report locally in Fredericton, New Brunswick. "It was a moment of validation," he reflects.
Fun Fact
Griffin is a big fan of the band the Arkells.
Griffin says the immersive experience offered through the MMJC Production Week in his second term gave him critical hands-on practice in the field. Students spend the week in a newsroom setting, gaining skills and confidence. "We were treated as a team, working towards a common goal," he says.
Those skills have stayed with him, proving just as applicable to his professional work, as he settles in as a producer with CBC. The process of producing national stories at such an early stage in his career has been a privilege, says Griffin.
“I’ve been able to have the best of both worlds; telling stories and finding joy through the arts."
The MMJC program has allowed many students to launch successful careers in journalism, communications, marketing and other media-focused industries. If you’re interested in starting your media career, apply to Western’s MMJC program to Start Your Story!
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Profiles in the Start Your Story blog are written by students in the Master of Media in Journalism & Communication program, who are enrolled in MMJC 9604 - Professional Writing.
