- Name: Gillian Griffin
- Home town: Toronto, Ontario
- Education: Bachelor of Commerce; Master of Arts, Globalization and International Development
- Current position: Communications Professional/Storyteller, Freelance
- Bio: After initially studying business, Gillian Griffin found her calling in international communications work. After completing a Master’s in Globalization and International Development, she’s worked all over the world assisting non-profits and social organizations in better telling their stories.
- Countries I've worked in: Tanzania, Ghana, Singapore, Colombia, Mozambique
- Sector / subsectors: Communications, Video Production
- Areas of expertise: International Development, Communications, Video Production
- Country: Singapore, Tanzania
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Tell us about yourself and your work.
Gillian creates compelling content for non-profits and social organizations. This involves doing work from home in Toronto and also travelling to various countries where these organizations do work. She helps organizations better tell their stories about the work they do.
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Please describe a day or week in the working life of a freelance communications professional?
Gillian’s days and weeks are one big juggling act, she gives us insight into how she manages it all in an international setting.
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Tell us about your career trajectory- what skills and experience got you to where you are?
Gillian’s path may not have started straight and narrow, but now that she’s found her passion, she’s laser-focused.
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What do you enjoy most about working in an international setting both personally and professionally?
For Gillian travel isn’t just fun and adventure, she believes it’s made her a better person.
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Describe any professional challenges you've encountered while working cross-culturally.
Gillian talks to us about the various types of communication and how they can break down when you’re working internationally.
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What abilities and qualities does it take to be able to succeed in this work specifically, and international work in general?
Be resourceful. Why hire an outside contractor to do something you can teach yourself to do? Gillian also talks about the importance of staying organized and staying on task when taking on different projects.
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What kinds of jobs are out there at the moment in your field? Where do you see openings developing?
Gillian tells us where she sees demand rising in her field. Hint: Get your camera ready!
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What are some possible entry points? Do you think having a specific degree is important for getting work in your field?
Find the opportunities that excite you, and then focus on building the skills that will get you there.
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What’s your best advice in terms of tangible steps a person could take to move iinto this field?
Gillian tells us the two things she thinks will set you apart in the application process.
