JWAM alumna Farah Tarannum is a Senior Public Affairs Officer in the Government of British Columbia.
Leading media relations and supporting crisis communications during natural disasters, Farah produces deeply impactful and tangible work that affects the entire province daily. We reached out to her to learn more about her work, her transition from journalism to public service, and the impact of her MJ degree on her career advancement.
Farah Tarannum, MJ alumna 2016
Tell us about your journey from JWAM to the Government of British Columbia.
Joining the public service was a happy accident that turned into a purposeful career choice. After graduating from the Master of Journalism program, I spent several years in marketing and communications roles in the private sector while waiting for my permanent residency. I enjoyed the work, but like many, I was furloughed during the 2020 lockdowns. That unexpected pause gave me space to reflect. I found myself craving projects with more impact – something that felt meaningful beyond the metrics.
With my journalism and comms background, a public sector communications role seemed like a natural fit, even though at the time I had a lot to learn about the Canadian bureaucracy. I started as a Public Affairs Officer with the BC government back in 2021 after becoming a permanent resident, and it’s been a great fit.
What do you love about your work?
I love that no two days are the same, and I get to lead communications projects that support meaningful initiatives with real-world impact. What I love most is the culture. Every day I get to work with passionate public servants who genuinely care about delivering services to people across the province. Of course, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the stability and benefits. While private sector roles can pay more, I value the work-life balance, pension, and overall sense of security the public sector offers.
“I love that no two days are the same, and I get to lead communications projects that support meaningful initiatives with real-world impact.”
Are there any current or past projects that you are proud of and would like to share?
One of the best parts of my job is working on communications projects that support programs with tangible, province-wide impact. Right now, I’m with the Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness, where I primarily lead media relations and support crisis communications during emergencies such as wildfires, floods, and events like the Chilcotin River landslide in 2024. Being part of a team that helps keep people informed and safe during high-stakes situations is incredibly rewarding.
In my earlier role, I led comms for a wide range of provincial initiatives, including announcements, roundtables, press events, and community tours. It’s work that requires adaptability and a deep understanding of how to connect with different audiences, and I find it both challenging and fulfilling.
How did your MJ degree help your career, especially in your non-journalism role?
I graduated in 2016, and the skills I gained during the MJ program have shaped every stage of my career since. While I haven’t worked in a traditional newsroom since my internship at Global BC in 2015, my journalism training has been central to my success in marketing and communications. The program gave me a solid foundation not just in writing and research, but also in digital strategy, video production, and social media. These are exactly the kinds of skills that helped me thrive in private sector marketing roles and continue to be essential in my current work. And it’s always a full-circle moment when I get to support media requests from former classmates and colleagues working in journalism.
“My journalism training has been central to my success in marketing and communications. The program gave me a solid foundation not just in writing and research, but also in digital strategy, video production, and social media.”
Are there any courses that particularly stand out, or that you would recommend?
The Decoding Social Media course with Professor Alfred Hermida was a highlight for me. It opened my eyes to the many non-journalism career paths this degree can support. The hands-on practicum helped me build a strong foundation in digital strategy and understand how Canadian audiences engage with content – all skills that I use in my daily work. Another standout was the Integrated Journalism course. The videography skills I picked up there served me well during my time in marketing, and I still draw on them in my current role when we’re producing content or managing events.
What are the key skills/knowledge required for recent graduates to succeed early in the current industry?
The core skills I picked up from the journalism degree have proven to be timeless throughout my career. First and foremost for me is strong research. It’s more than just digging for facts; it’s about knowing which questions to ask, which ultimately leads to better, faster, and more accurate storytelling. Another key skill is writing clearly so the information is accessible to all audiences. Whether you’re writing for the public or internal stakeholders, being able to break down complex subject matter into plain language is essential.
I’d also highlight the importance of relationship-building. This was something I had to learn and practice as someone coming from a very different cultural and journalistic background compared to Canada. I’ll always be grateful to Kathryn Gretsinger for helping me develop that skill. In any field, be it journalism, comms or government, relationships open doors and help you get the job done better.
“The Decoding Social Media course with Professor Alfred Hermida was a highlight for me. It opened my eyes to the many non-journalism career paths this degree can support.”
Do you have any advice for our students?
Focus on building strong, authentic relationships. People might forget your name, but they’ll always remember how you made them feel. The way you approach someone – whether it’s for an interview, a favour, or a collaboration – can be the difference between getting the story or hitting a wall. Approach your work (and your network) with curiosity, kindness, and professionalism. It pays off in the long run.
What are your passions outside of your work?
As an “elder” millennial, I take my joy where I can get it. Like actually getting eight full hours of sleep and waking up without neck pain. In all seriousness, I love reading. Both fiction and non-fiction, and especially food writing and food history. Cooking and eating are two of my other great joys. I feel incredibly lucky to live in places like Vancouver and now Vancouver Island, where the food scene is diverse and vibrant. Discovering local chefs and experiencing the amazing things they do with our wonderful local produce is a hobby in itself.
