JOSIE’S STORY

One student. One photographer.
One year in grad school at Concordia...

Josie Fomé teamed up with Concordia’s senior photographer Lisa Graves to capture her time as an undergraduate in communication studies and human relations. 

Now, the two friends are working together again to cover Josie's journey through the one-year Graduate Diploma in Journalism program. Previously, she shared her tips for graduate students at Concordia.

Originally from Cameroon, Fomé is an avid volunteer with her sights on a career in broadcasting.

She has written articles for Her Campus, The Link and U Sports, and completed a weeklong internship at the CBC. Besides her journalism-related work, Fomé keeps busy on campus by participating in student groups and playing intramural sports. With the end of her diploma program looming, she remains focused on successfully completing her studies.

'My internship was just so energizing’

I loved the daily adrenaline rush during my internship at CBC Radio. I was assigned a different story every day and while the foundations of the workday remained the same, the details differed. That’s something I could get used to!

I’ve found that journalism is really a people-person’s profession. You rely on people for their stories — and some have really fascinating ones!

For instance, I remember talking to a father whose family was affected by the floods in Quebec in 2017. These stories need to be told because it’s so easy for us to forget about an issue once the hype has died down.

‘I want to focus on finishing’

While I’ve recently been looking for jobs in the States, where my dad and brothers live, my main focus is on finishing my diploma program. As the semester comes to an end, ideas and opportunities will pop up and I’ll be more active on that front.

Like many students, I sometimes worry I’m not good enough. How am I going to get a job? Am I putting enough work out there?

I’ve found that it’s easier to deal with these questions if you shift your perspective. It’s okay to not be okay, but try to be open with people you trust and to seek their help.

'The Hive is my second home'

I decided to volunteer at the Hive on the Loyola Campus because I was spending so much time there and they’re always looking for people to help out. I love it!

The food is always top-notch and it is really cool to see the passion the two chefs bring to the kitchen every day. They are a very open and accepting group of people, and everybody becomes friends really quickly. The kitchen is big enough to hold 10 to 12 people at the same time, but small enough to get close with most of the volunteers.

It’s been good, but the downside is that I spend even more time at the Hive.

'Intramural soccer helps me think clearly' 

On Saturday afternoons, I play in the Concordia Dome Soccer League. My family plays a lot of soccer and I grew up playing it, so I try to get involved whenever I can.

Community is huge for me, and being able to build friendships and relationships while doing something I love is great. It also gives me a break. When my endorphins are racing at the end of a game, I feel on top of the world. In that mind frame, I work well and think clearly.

'It’s okay to have differing views’

I am involved with two Christian groups on campus — Power to Change and the Concordia Christian Fellowship. Both groups have helped me get through the past two semesters when I haven’t been feeling up to the task.

In our current society, I feel as if we can literally talk about anything except spirituality. Even within families, people avoid certain subjects because of differing views. But we need to talk about these things. Power to Change acknowledges the fact that there are different ways to look at things and that people see the world differently.

Talk to people about how they perceive their surroundings because it helps you better understand the people you’re going to school with.

Check out photos and reflections from Josie's time as an undergrad and her tips for grad students at Concordia.