Mohawk grad, Julie De Liberato ‘13, has adapted to change and technology in her field of communications while climbing the ranks in the non-profit sector.
By Meaghan Drury ‘12
When applying to universities in the late 2000s, Julie De Liberato ‘13, was looking to gain both theoretical knowledge through an undergraduate degree and practical knowledge of real-world experiences. That is when she discovered Mohawk’s Public Relations graduate certificate program, that is offered in conjunction with Brock University’s Communication and Media Studies degree.
The first in her family to pursue and complete postsecondary education, she liked the possibility to achieve two things in four years. Julie shares, “It sort of seemed like a no-brainer. The Mohawk College certificate converted theories I was learning in my undergrad into practical skills that would get me a job.”
The structure of the Public Relations program allowed Julie to get to know her “pod” –a group of five students– who worked on assignments and projects together. Compared to the large university lecture hall of over 200 students, this form of learning appealed to Julie and helped her create strong bonds with her classmates at Mohawk.
Since graduating, she’s maintained many of these relationships including her best friend and former roommate who works in the non-profit sector with Julie. “The education is high quality, tailored and personalized. You create relationships with like-minded individuals who are looking to pursue the same thing,” she shares.
Julie particularly liked the internship experience she obtained through Mohawk. “I found Tim Tuck, as the program coordinator, really leveraged his networks to help us find opportunities,” she says.
Years later, Julie has stayed connected to her former professor, reaching out to him when her organization is hiring or returning to the classroom to speak about her experiences to current students.
After graduation, Julie jumped into the world of agency work. However, a year later, she realized it wasn’t the right path for her. She saw entertainment, lifestyle and music brands as personal passions, not something to focus on for her employment. “They weren’t what I wanted to work on 9 to 5 (or 9 to midnight),” she says. So, she switched to the non-profit sector, starting at the YMCA of Greater Toronto, as the marketing coordinator before becoming their public relations specialist.
In these roles, Julie worked on a wide variety of projects and initiatives. “I found that making an impact was something I really valued. I would leave my desk and feel that I made a difference.”
