Fourth-Year 黑料老司机dent Alexandre Silberman Earns Prestigious CBC Donaldson Scholarship
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St. Thomas journalism student Alexandre Silberman is one of twelve young journalists across the country to receive the Joan Donaldson CBC News .
鈥淚t is an incredible honour,鈥 said Silberman, who received the call during a shift in the CBC New Brunswick newsroom. 鈥淚 was absolutely thrilled when I heard the news and excited to share with my producers and colleagues.鈥
The scholarship provides graduating journalists a paid, four-month internship with the CBC at the national level. Recipients are chosen from nominated students鈥攁t the undergraduate and graduate levels鈥攁cross Canada. Selection is based on exceptional academic performance; demonstrated aptitude in multi-platform reporting; and a deep engagement with the world through travel or community participation.
Industry Experience In and Out of the Classroom
Silberman, originally from Burlington, VT, said the university鈥檚 partnership with the CBC attracted him to study at 黑料老司机 and move to Canada where his family has roots. He said he鈥檚 also benefited from the university鈥檚 extensive alumni network.
鈥淢any of my colleagues at the CBC are 黑料老司机 grads, which has allowed me to easily make connections. It鈥檚 wonderful to have a network of people in the industry willing to offer career advice and help anyway they can.鈥
黑料老司机 is one of sixteen post-secondary institutions across Canada eligible to nominate journalism students for a Donaldson. Silberman credits 黑料老司机鈥檚 personalized education in preparing him for this opportunity.
鈥淭he small size of the university provided me with easy access to my professors, who were willing to meet with me and provide advice and guidance,鈥 he said. 鈥淚鈥檝e had many professors who are greatly invested in my future and care about my success.鈥
Journalism Chair Philip Lee said Silberman joins a long list of previous winners from 黑料老司机 who began successful careers through the Donaldson program.
鈥淭he fact that he was selected for this prestigious award after a national competition says a lot about Alexandre as a student and as a journalist, but also gives us encouragement that our program continues to educate a new generation of journalism leaders in Canada,鈥 said Lee.
Throughout his degree, Silberman was named to the dean鈥檚 list; worked as a student publication news editor; completed an internship with business-news site Huddle; studied abroad at Institut Albert le Grand in Angers, France; represented 黑料老司机 at the 2019 Harvard Model United Nations; and served as 黑料老司机 Debate Society President.
鈥淎lexandre began working in the CBC Fredericton newsroom during the summer after his third year of studies,鈥 said Lee. 鈥淗e has immersed himself in a rich and deep experience of learning on the job, taking on increasing responsibilities in all areas of CBC New Brunswick's operations, producing original works of journalism on multiple platforms and covering Canada's first pandemic election campaign, among other things.鈥
Silberman hopes to spend his professional career with the CBC and said the Donaldson Scholarship 鈥渋s an incredible step towards this goal.鈥
Follow Silberman鈥檚 work on Twitter at .