Hailing out of Houston, British Columbia, Indra Egan brought her musical background and two music degrees, as well as her curiosity, with the goal of getting her One-Year Bachelor of Journalism degree to write stories that can make a difference.
What drew you to King’s originally?
I’m a hard-core Anne of Green Gables fan, and while P.E.I. was obviously my number one dream stop, I also wanted to see the city where Anne of the Island takes place (the third-best book in the eight-book series, as any true fan knows). So when I saw that a Halifax journalism program offered what I wanted to study, I was sold. I feel fortunate that my dream of seeing the Maritimes brought me to King’s—and Halifax! Lucy Maud Montgomery did not let me down. Halifax feels like its own special corner of the world. From the architecture to the people, it has a distinct culture. You’ll find all the resources you need in a city, paired with the friendliness and relaxed pace of a town, all while surrounded by stunning ocean views and beautiful parks.
What program are you graduating from, and what inspired you to pursue that program?
I’m graduating from the One-Year Bachelor of Journalism program. When I applied, I was working as a pianist at an opera company and had no prior journalism experience. I’d recently read an article in New York Magazine that sparked action and dialogue about a serious issue in the classical music world, and I thought, I want to write stories like that—stories that can effect real change. I was intrigued by the idea of studying journalism, but hesitant about going back to school since I had already completed two music degrees. When I learned there was a comprehensive one-year program, it was a perfect fit.
Was there a course, professor, reading requirement or experience that has had a lasting impact on you?
The King’s journalism faculty members are, in my moderately-humble opinion, what make the school a truly great place to study. Learning from them was the highlight of my time at King’s, not because I’m a nerd, but because they’re awesome. King’s has an atmosphere of camaraderie within the faculty, so you can ask anyone your questions, whether you’re in their class or not, and they’ll be happy to help. Are you intrigued by a genre of journalism that a King’s professor specializes in, or by interesting work they’ve done? Just a few examples of cool things King’s profs have done: wrote a best-selling book that turned into a hit podcast, worked as a reporter in the Arctic, and covered the Olympics on site. Do you want to learn more about what being a journalist looks like outside of the classroom? I reached out to profs who specialize in genres that interest me even if I couldn’t fit their class into my schedule, and knocked on the doors of profs I did know when I needed advice. King’s profs are generous with their time, they’re experts in their fields, and they genuinely care about students.
My most influential (and dare I say favourite) professors are Terra Tailleur and Tim Currie. They’ve been incredibly supportive and encouraging throughout my degree. I’m inspired by them as journalists, educators, and people. If you take their classes, you’ll have a lot to learn from them—I know I did!
What’s your top study tip?
Don’t waste your time doubting yourself. Spend your time doing the work! I had an ongoing joke with my friends where I’d ask, “Am I even good enough to have imposter syndrome?” But in all seriousness, imposter syndrome was very real for me, and in the early months, I spent a lot of time staring at blank pages or deleting my work. I know it’s easier said than done but try to get out of your head and focus on the work. You’ll get to do some really cool things at King’s Journalism, so dig into them!
What’s your favourite spot on campus?
I like sitting on the couches on the journalism floor of the main King’s building. It’s not the place to be if you urgently need to finish something, but if you want to get some work done at a leisurely pace and don’t mind being interrupted, your study time will be interspersed with friendly hellos and fun chats with students and profs that will brighten your day.
What’s one thing from your time at King’s that you’re especially proud of?
I was honoured to represent King’s Journalism as an academic intern at The Globe and Mail. An academic internship is the final part of a King’s journalism degree. When the King’s faculty put me forward as a potential Globe and Mail candidate, it was validating to know they believed I could do this. When that turned into an interview and eventually an acceptance, it felt surreal. Once I got settled at my internship, I realized that my studies at King’s and the people there who supported me had set me up for success. One of my stories published at The Globe and Mail was an article highlighting the inaccessibility of the Disability Tax Credit. As a disabled person, I know firsthand that the disability community has always struggled to have its concerns heard. I never imagined I’d have the chance to bring this important issue to light on a massive platform. Writing that article was one of the most fulfilling things I have ever done, journalistic or otherwise.
Thinking back to who you were when you received your acceptance letter, what would you tell her?
Hey Indra, I know you think you’re just dipping your toe in to see if you even like doing journalism, and your plan is to only spend a year in Halifax. But you have no idea how passionate you’ll become about pursuing journalism, how quickly you’ll fall in love with a city you haven’t seen yet and how meaningful the connections you’re about to make with new friends and mentors will be. That’s okay, though—you’ll find out soon enough!
As Encaenia approaches, do you have any insights you’d like to share for incoming students?
I have some difficult goodbyes coming up at Encaenia, and that speaks to how wonderful the friends I made at King’s are and how much I enjoyed working with my profs. My classmates and I went through a unique learning experience together, and so will you. One of the best parts of this program will be the connections you make along the way.
The one-year journalism program can be intimidating because most of us don’t come from journalism backgrounds. The thing to remember is, the one-year program exists because King’s sees value in all educational backgrounds. All you need to do is show up ready to learn. Your expertise in other fields, your life experiences and the things you’re passionate about will be relevant and helpful in their own ways as you navigate this program—and in my experience, I feel they make me a stronger journalist.
Use your professors as resources. Also, use the school’s actual resources—take advantage of your media pass, and the high-end equipment you can rent out for free.
Most of all, enjoy your experience! One year flies by. In the eternal words of Miley Cyrus: “Ain’t about what’s waitin’ on the other side—it’s the climb.”
Where do you hope your degree takes you next?
This may seem like an awkwardly placed question right after the Miley Cyrus quote, but it actually works well for me because I haven’t made many solid plans. I intend to work as a freelance journalist and pianist. I’m entering the journalism field with an open mind, and I’m excited to see how my career takes shape!
